Cannot Save Header/Footer in Elemento

  • socialexpressweb

    (@socialexpressweb)


    6 days, 2 hours ago

    Dear Elementor Support Team,

    I am experiencing an issue with Elementor on my WordPress website. I am unable to save any changes made under Site Settings → Hello Theme Header, including header background colours, navigation menu colours, and menu settings.

    The Save Changes button appears active (pink), but nothing happens when I click it. No changes are saved and no error message appears within the editor.

    Website Information:

    • Website: https://socialexpressweb.com
    • WordPress version: 7.1.3
    • Elementor version: 4.3.5 (Free)
    • Hello Elementor theme version: 3.5.1
    • Hosting provider: xneelo
    • Browser: Google Chrome
    • Atomic Editor: Activated

    JavaScript Error:

    After inspecting Chrome Developer Tools → Console, the following error appears whenever I attempt to save:

    Uncaught (in promise) TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'toJSON')

    The error originates from:

    ElementorCommonApp.beforeSave

    editor-components.min.js?ver=4.3.5

    This appears to prevent Elementor from completing the Site Settings saving process.

    Troubleshooting Already Completed:

    1. Tested in both normal Chrome and Incognito mode.
    2. Cleared Elementor’s files and cached data.
    3. Confirmed that regular Elementor pages can be edited and saved successfully.
    4. Enabled Elementor Safe Mode, where saving worked, although the Hello Theme Header settings were unavailable.
    5. Temporarily deactivated WPForms Lite, leaving Elementor as the only active plugin. The issue persisted.
    6. Verified that the Hello Elementor theme is active and that WordPress reports no available theme updates.
    7. Tested the Switch Editor Loader Method setting both enabled and disabled, without success.
    8. Selected the correct Main Menu in the header settings and attempted to save again. The same JavaScript error occurred.

    I suspect the issue may have started after upgrading Elementor, although I cannot confirm this with certainty.

    Could you please advise:

    • Is this a known issue with Elementor 4.3.5 and Hello Elementor 3.5.1?
    • Is there a specific fix for the beforeSave / toJSON JavaScript error?
    • Can the issue be resolved without rolling back Elementor or disabling the Atomic Editor?
    • Is there a safe alternative method for saving Hello Theme Header settings while this issue is being investigated?

    My website is already built using Elementor, including newer Atomic Editor elements, so I would prefer a solution that does not risk affecting the existing website design.

    I have screenshots of the JavaScript Console errors and can provide them if required.

    Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your guidance.

    Kind regards,

    Social Express Web
    https://socialexpressweb.com

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • The WP King

    (@thewpkingofficial)

    5 days, 14 hours ago

    this looks like an issue with the new atomic editor in elementor 4.3.x, not a plugin conflict. safe mode saves fine, but the header options disappear, which points to the new save flow.

    try this in order:

    1. go to elementor → settings → features/experiments and disable atomic widgets/editor v4.
    2. go to elementor → tools → regenerate files & data, then try saving the header again.
    3. if it still fails, duplicate the header template and rebuild the menu/color settings on the new copy. the old template might be causing issues with the new save flow.
    4. if nothing works, temporarily roll back to elementor 4.2.x using wp rollback until there’s a proper fix.

    you’ve already ruled out plugin conflicts and theme issues, so the atomic editor’s save flow is the main suspect. not confirmed yet, but that’s where i’d start.

    Plugin Support Milos

    (@miloss84)

    5 days, 4 hours ago

    Hi there,

    Thank you for contacting Elementor Support, and for the detailed report. The troubleshooting you have already completed (Incognito testing, Safe Mode, plugin deactivation and the editor loader switch) is very helpful, as it narrows the cause down considerably.

    Saving works in Safe Mode and on regular pages, and the error only appears when saving Site Settings. This suggests the problem is related to the Site Settings (Default Kit) data or to the Hello Theme Header settings, rather than to a plugin conflict or your browser. The toJSON error means the editor is trying to save a settings object that is not being loaded correctly.

    Please create a full backup of your website first, then:

    1. Check the Default Kit: Go to Elementor → Tools → General and make sure a valid Default Kit is selected. If the field is empty or points to a missing item, this could explain the error.
    2. Regenerate CSS & Data: Go to Elementor → Tools → General, click Regenerate Files & Data, then reload the editor with a hard refresh (Ctrl + Shift + R).
    3. Test the Atomic Editor setting without rollback: Under Elementor → Settings → Features, temporarily deactivate only the Atomic Editor / Editor V4 experiment, test the save, then re-enable it. Existing Atomic elements should remain intact, but this is why the backup is important.
    4. Test on staging (recommended): If xneelo provides a staging environment, replicate the site there and test with a rollback to the previous Elementor version. This lets us confirm whether the update introduced the issue without risking your live site.

    To investigate further, please send us:

    • The System Info report (Elementor → System Info → Copy & Paste Info)
    • The screenshots of the Console errors you mentioned, ideally including the full error stack
    • A screenshot of the Network tab (filter by “Fetch/XHR”) taken at the moment you click Save Changes, in case a request fails there
    • The previous Elementor version you were running before the update, if you know it

    Thank you for your patience, and please let us know how the steps above go.

    Kind regards,

    jimmyr12

    (@jimmyr12)

    4 days, 17 hours ago

    The error usually means the Default Kit has a missing or corrupted header setting. Back up first. Then go to Tools → Regenerate Files & Data, and check under Tools → General that the active kit is the right one. If it still fails, export the kit, delete the empty hello_header_* keys from its JSON and re-import it, or roll back to 4.2.x.”

    Plugin Support vipul78

    (@vipulelementor)

    3 days, 1 hour ago

    Hi @socialexpressweb
    Were the steps mentioned earlier helpful for you?

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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