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Post: Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide.

The error message below indicates that WordPress encountered a fatal error because it was unable to find and load a specific file required by the WP Smush Pro plugin. Specifically, the file class-gravity-forms.php could not be found in the expected directory within the WP Smush Pro plugin’s folder structure. This kind of error typically occurs for one of a few reasons:

  1. Missing File: The file class-gravity-forms.php might be missing from the plugin’s directory. This could happen if an update failed, the plugin files were corrupted, or the file was accidentally deleted.
  2. Corrupted Plugin: The plugin could be corrupted. This might occur due to issues during the plugin’s update process, conflicts with other plugins, or manual changes made to the plugin files.
  3. File Permissions: There could be a file permission issue preventing WordPress from accessing the file, though this scenario is less likely given the specific error message about a failed opening requirement.

Here are steps to resolve the issue: Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Backup Your Site – Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Before making any changes, ensure you have a complete backup of your WordPress site. This includes your database and all files in your WordPress directory.

Check Plugin Files – Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide.

  • FTP/SFTP Access: Use an FTP client or the file manager provided by your hosting service to check the WP Smush Pro plugin’s directory for the missing file. Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/wp-smush-pro/core/integrations/ and look for class-gravity-forms.php.
  • Reinstall Plugin: If the file is indeed missing or if you’re unsure, the simplest solution might be to reinstall the plugin. You can do this by deactivating and deleting the current installation of WP Smush Pro from your WordPress admin panel, and then reinstalling it from the WordPress plugin repository or by uploading a fresh copy. Make sure to download the latest version from the official source.

Check for Conflicts – Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Sometimes, plugin conflicts can cause unexpected behavior. If the issue persists after reinstalling WP Smush Pro, try deactivating other plugins temporarily to see if there’s a conflict. If the site works as expected after deactivating a specific plugin, you’ve found the conflict source.

File Permissions – Troubleshooting the WP Smush Plugin Error in WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Although the error message doesn’t directly indicate a permissions issue, it’s wise to ensure that your WordPress files and directories have the correct permissions. Files should typically be set to 644, and directories to 755.

Contact Support

If you’re unable to resolve the issue yourself, consider contacting the support team for WP Smush Pro or your web hosting service. They may offer specific insights or solutions based on their systems and experiences with common issues.

Update WordPress Core and Other Plugins

Ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are all up to date. Sometimes compatibility issues can arise from outdated software.

Consider Professional Help

If you’re not comfortable performing these steps yourself, or if the problem persists, consider hiring a professional WordPress developer or contacting your hosting provider’s support team for assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and get your site running smoothly again.


You get an email from your website WordPress similar to the following:


Howdy!

WordPress has a built-in feature that detects when a plugin or theme causes a fatal error on your site, and notifies you with this automated email.

In this case, WordPress caught an error with one of your plugins, Smush Pro.

First, visit your website (https://www.yoursite.com/) and check for any visible issues. Next, visit the page where the error was caught (https://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php) and check for any visible issues.

Please contact your host for assistance with investigating this issue further.

If your site appears broken and you can't access your dashboard normally, WordPress now has a special "recovery mode". This lets you safely login to your dashboard and investigate further.

https://www.yoursite.com/wp-login.php?action=enter_reovery_mode&rm_token=ygr57s4o0GJTK2kfd36yrc7&rm_key=cJek3jshdbcy37e8rr44

To keep your site safe, this link will expire in 1 day. Don't worry about that, though: a new link will be emailed to you if the error occurs again after it expires.

When seeking help with this issue, you may be asked for some of the following information:
WordPress version 4.1.2
Current theme: Avada (version 4.1.5)
Current plugin: Smush Pro (version 2.1.5)
PHP version 7.0.30

Error Details
=============
An error of type E_ERROR was caused in line 342 of the file /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/wp-smush-pro/wp-smush.php. Error message: Uncaught Error: Failed opening required '/mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/wp-smush-pro/core/integrations/class-gravity-forms.php' (include_path='.:/opt/alt/php80/usr/share/pear:/opt/alt/php80/usr/share/php:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') in /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/wp-smush-pro/wp-smush.php:342
Stack trace:
#0 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/wp-smush-pro/core/class-core.php(211): WP_Smush->autoload('Smush\\Core\\Inte…')
#1 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.comt/httpdocs/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(324): Smush\Core\Core->load_libs(")
#2 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(348): WP_Hook->apply_filters(NULL, Array)
#3 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-includes/plugin.php(517): WP_Hook->do_action(Array)
#4 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-settings.php(506): do_action('plugins_loaded')
#5 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-config.php(80): require_once('/mnt/data/vhost...')
#6 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-load.php(50): require_once('/mnt/data/vhost...')
#7 /mnt/data/vhosts/yoursite.com/httpdocs/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php(22): require_once('/mnt/data/vhost...')
#8
thrown

The Longevity Blueprint: AI-Powered Health Optimization

Current step:1AI-Human Medical Analyzer: Smarter, Personalized Health
2AI-Human Medical Analyzer: Smarter, Personalized Health

> SYS.HEALTH: AI-Human Medical Analyzer_

// Revolutionize Your Diagnostics

Experience the perfect blend of cutting-edge AI precision and expert human care. Our revolutionary analyzer turns your raw health data into personalized, actionable insights tailored just for you.

> INITIALIZING_BIOMETRIC_SCAN...

[+] DATA_INPUT

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[+] PROCESSING

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[+] OUTPUT_MATRIX

Receive smarter, faster, and truly personalized care strategies to take immediate charge of your health journey.

A name/nickname is required to continue.

> TRANSLATION_MATRIX_ACTIVE...
[ LANG_EN ]
Knowledge Heals, Prevention Protects
[ LANG_HI ]
ज्ञान ठीक करता है, रोकथाम सुरक्षा करती है
[ LANG_ZH ]
知识治愈,预防保护
[ LANG_JA ]
知識は癒し、予防は守る
[ LANG_HE ]
הידע מרפא, המניעה מגנה
[ LANG_AR ]
المعرفة تُشفي، والوقاية تحمي
[ LANG_FR ]
La connaissance guérit, la prévention protège

> SYS.AUTH: Data Processing Consent_

[ AWAITING_AUTHORIZATION ] By providing consent, you allow us to process your uploaded data through our proprietary AI-Human analysis system.

  • [+] SECURE_REVIEW: This ensures your information is carefully reviewed using advanced AI technology and certified professional oversight to deliver personalized health insights.
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> SYS.UPLOAD: Share Medical Records [OPTIONAL]_

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[+] FORMAT_SUPPORT

We accept all file formats, including photos, PDFs, text documents, and raw official medical data.

[+] DATA_YIELD

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> NEXT_STEPS: Post-Registration Protocol_

Once your registration is complete, a human specialist from our team will personally reach out to you within 3-10 business days. We will discuss your health journey and map out exactly how we can support you.

About the Author: Bernard Aybout (Virii8)

Avatar Of Bernard Aybout (Virii8)
I am a dedicated technology enthusiast with over 45 years of life experience, passionate about computers, AI, emerging technologies, and their real-world impact. As the founder of my personal blog, MiltonMarketing.com, I explore how AI, health tech, engineering, finance, and other advanced fields leverage innovation—not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a tool to enhance it. My focus is on bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical applications, ensuring ethical, responsible, and transformative use across industries. MiltonMarketing.com is more than just a tech blog—it's a growing platform for expert insights. We welcome qualified writers and industry professionals from IT, AI, healthcare, engineering, HVAC, automotive, finance, and beyond to contribute their knowledge. If you have expertise to share in how AI and technology shape industries while complementing human skills, join us in driving meaningful conversations about the future of innovation. 🚀