How to Fix White Text and Missing Buttons in WordPress Visual Editor

Introduction

If you’ve ever logged into your WordPress dashboard, opened the post editor, and suddenly noticed white text or missing buttons in the Visual Editor, you’re not alone. This common issue often makes the editor almost unusable. Instead of a clean toolbar and text area, you may see blank spaces, invisible text, or buttons that simply don’t appear.

It’s frustrating—especially when you’re in the middle of writing or updating content. Many site owners panic, thinking their site is broken or that they’ll need to rebuild everything from scratch. The good news is, this issue usually has simple causes, like a corrupted file, plugin conflict, or browser-related glitch.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common reasons why your Visual Editor isn’t working properly and explain step-by-step how to fix white text and missing buttons in WordPress Visual Editor. By the end, you’ll have your editor back in shape and be able to create content smoothly again.

Why the Visual Editor Breaks in WordPress

The Visual Editor (also known as TinyMCE in classic WordPress) relies on several files, scripts, and styles to display correctly. If something interrupts this process, the editor can appear broken. Common reasons include:

• Corrupted or missing TinyMCE files in WordPress core.
• Plugin conflicts that disable or override editor scripts.
• Theme issues interfering with editor styles.
• Browser cache problems showing outdated scripts.
• Incorrect file permissions preventing WordPress from loading editor files.

Understanding the root cause makes it easier to fix the problem. Let’s dive into solutions.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies First

Sometimes, the problem is not with WordPress but with your browser. Cached scripts may prevent the editor from loading correctly.

Here’s what you can try:

1. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
2. Open the editor in incognito mode to see if the problem persists.
3. Test in a different browser (e.g., switch from Chrome to Firefox).

If the editor works in another browser, you’ve found the culprit—your cache or browser extensions.

Reinstall or Restore TinyMCE Files

If certain Visual Editor files are missing or corrupted, the editor may display white text or missing buttons.

To fix this:

• Reinstall the WordPress core files. You can do this from Dashboard → Updates → Reinstall Now.
• Alternatively, download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org, extract it, and upload the wp-includes/js/tinymce/ folder via FTP.

This restores any missing or broken editor files.

Disable Conflicting Plugins

Plugins often load JavaScript or CSS that interfere with the editor. To rule this out:

1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
2. Deactivate all plugins temporarily.
3. Check the editor—if it works, reactivate plugins one by one until you find the culprit.

Common offenders include older SEO plugins, page builders, or outdated editor enhancements.

Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can sometimes override the editor’s CSS, making text appear white or hiding buttons. To test this:

• Go to Appearance → Themes.
• Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
• Open the editor and check if the problem persists.

If the issue disappears, your theme is interfering with the editor. Updating or replacing it may be necessary.

Adjust wp-config.php Settings

WordPress includes a debug mode that can sometimes bypass editor display issues. You can add this line to your wp-config.php file:

define('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false);

This forces WordPress to load scripts individually instead of combining them, which often resolves missing buttons in the Visual Editor.

Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can prevent the editor from loading scripts.

• WordPress files should typically be set to 644.
• Folders should be set to 755.

If permissions are wrong, update them via your hosting control panel or FTP.

Use a Plugin Fix

If you prefer not to edit files manually, several plugins can restore or enhance your editor. For example:

• Classic Editor – Restores the old WordPress editor, bypassing some issues.
• TinyMCE Advanced (now Advanced Editor Tools) – Restores missing buttons and allows customization.

While these aren’t direct fixes, they can provide quick relief while you troubleshoot the deeper issue.

Quick Recap

Here’s a summary of how to fix white text and missing buttons in WordPress Visual Editor:

• Clear browser cache and test in a different browser.
• Reinstall WordPress core files or restore TinyMCE.
• Disable conflicting plugins.
• Switch temporarily to a default theme.
• Add define('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false); to wp-config.php.
• Check file permissions.
• Use editor-enhancing plugins as a workaround.

Final Thoughts

Running into white text and missing buttons in WordPress Visual Editor can feel like hitting a wall, but the problem is rarely permanent. Most of the time, it comes down to a plugin conflict, browser issue, or missing files. By following the steps above, you can quickly restore your editor and get back to creating content.

Remember: always back up your site before making changes, and if you’re unsure about editing files, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider for help. A working editor is essential to running your site smoothly—fixing it should be a top priority.

Want more WordPress troubleshooting tips? Explore our other guides to keep your site running seamlessly.