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Help! My multisite network is stalling in backend and on forms!!

Hi there,

My hosting company migrated my VPS to a new server a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been having problems ever since. It caused some immediate issues that you guys previously helped me on: https://wpmudev.com/forums/topic/warning-illegal-string-offset-id#post-837079

Here’s the latest issue(s): my multisite network is loading extremely slow in wp-admin pages. It doesn’t do this all the time, but intermittently. It will be loading pretty fast and then randomly it will load VERY slowly, and sometimes even fully stalls with the white screen and the “Internal Server Error” message.

For the most part, my site runs quickly and without issues on the front end. However, if I try to submit any forms (using Gravity Forms), the site fully stalls with the same Internal Server Error message. It technically still submits the form (I receive the confirmation email), however it won’t load the success page or confirmation page.

I can’t figure out for the life of me what is causing this issues. I’ve tried updating php memory limit. I’ve tried reinstalling WordPress Core. I have not tried deactivating all plugins though because my multisite network is a production site with live paid customers.

Can someone please help me??

Thanks,

Tim

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:22:01
  • Timothy
    • Chief Pigeon

    Hey there,

    What have your hosting provider said about it?

    I’m kind of thinking it’s still memory, can you create a blank PHP file and then add this:

    <?php
    
phpinfo();

    Once you’ve uploaded the file, load it through the browser and check the memory. Then move it into the sub folders, like the /wp-admin/ one, load it again.

    Is the memory consistently changed?

    What are you seeing with this plugin:

    https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-memory-usage/screenshots/

    https://wordpress.org/plugins/tpc-memory-usage/screenshots/

    Any cache plugins you can remove whilst testing?

    Let me know.

    Take care.

  • timstrifler
    • The Incredible Code Injector

    Hi Timothy,

    Sorry for my delay on this thread, but wanted to report back on some new findings.

    I did the tests you suggested and everything came out normal. With the help of my hosting provider I updated the max memory limit set in wp-config.php to what they suggested. That seemed to help but hasn’t fully fixed the issue.

    With further testing, we’ve narrowed down when we experience the stalling/slow loading.

    -It mainly happens when entering wp-admin. We have the login redirect plugin installed to redirect to the main site page (instead of going to dashboard). So it logs in perfectly fine. It’s when entering the Dashboard that the stalling/slow loading occurs. If I choose to go to the Network Admin instead of the main site Dashboard, it loads fine. If go to the main site dashboard (or a subsite dashboard) from the network Dashboard it stalls/loads slowly. Once I’m into the Dashboard or the main site (or subset) it’s typically okay. It’s just getting in thats the problem.

    -Secondly, submitting forms from the front end is still a problem.

    -Lastly, Firefox works fine. Completely fine. All the issues outlined above only happen in Chrome and Safari. Everything in Firefox (frontend and backend) works perfect.

    Let me know if you have any other ideas of what could be causing these issues.

    Thanks,

    Tim

  • Timothy
    • Chief Pigeon

    Hey again.

    Increasing the memory never hurts, often helps as you noted.

    The fact it’s happening in one browser and not another makes it seem browser related. You have another system you can test on?

    Turned all browser extensions off?

    What happens if you go through a proxy/VPN?

    Try something like ZenMate, it’s free:

    https://zenmate.com/

    If you can enable staff access:

    https://wpmudev.com/manuals/wpmu-dev-dashboard-enabling-staff-login/

    I’ll test in Chrome and safari too.

    Another member had this the other day, it worked like normal for him when using a VPN.

    Did you clear cache too?

    Take care.

  • timstrifler
    • The Incredible Code Injector

    Hi Timothy,

    I guess I spoke to soon. It is happening in Firefox too, just not as often. It definitely works better in Firefox, but it is still stalling from time to time.

    I’ve tried on other systems, as well as resetting browsers to eliminate any issue with cookies/caching, etc. Based on this, I don’t think it’s directly browser related. I’ve enabled staff access though if you’d like to test on your end. Keep in mind though, the problem mainly occurs when entering the Dashboard of the main site (or subsite).

    My hosting provider mentioned that the new server they migrated me to has an updated firewall. They mentioned this could potentially be the cause of the issue. Do you have any thoughts on this?

    Thanks for your help,

    Tim

  • Timothy
    • Chief Pigeon

    Hey Tim,

    I just checked and there doesn’t appear to be any staff access open to any sites you have on account. Could you please grant it again please?

    One way to test the firewall theory, disable it and then load your sites admin to see what happens. If it’s your server you should be able to do that, could you give it a go and let me know?

    Take care.

  • timstrifler
    • The Incredible Code Injector

    Hi Timothy,

    We resolved it! I worked with my host to disable the firewall and test. As soon as the firewall was disabled the site worked perfectly. After some additional testing, we figured out that the new firewall was blocking our mandrill app integration which sends all of our emails. My host then whitelisted those IPs and everything is now running smoothly. After several weeks of almost losing my mind trying to resolve this, it’s finally figured out (I hope!).

    Thanks anyways for your help!

    Tim