Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js

If your WordPress editor suddenly throws Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js, you’re not alone. This error looks scary, but it usually boils down to one of a few boring problems: caching, a blocked file, missing files, or a plugin/theme conflict.

This guide walks you through a practical, step-by-step fix list. You’ll start with the fastest checks, then move into deeper troubleshooting only if you need it.

🔧 Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js — what it means

The error message “Failed to load plugin: code from url /wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/mce/code/plugin.min.js” suggests that the TinyMCE Advanced plugin is trying to load a JavaScript file (plugin.min.js for the ‘code’ plugin) from your WordPress site, but it’s encountering an issue.

This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including incorrect file permissions, the file being missing, plugin conflicts, or caching issues.

🧠 Why WordPress shows this error in the editor

WordPress loads TinyMCE (or editor enhancements) inside wp-admin. If one script fails, the editor may still load, but it will complain loudly in red. In addition, the “code” plugin is often tied to features like viewing source code or formatting helpers, so when it can’t load, TinyMCE reports it.

Also, watch for a mismatch: sometimes the message references mce/code/, while other times it references mce/print/. That usually means two different plugins (or two different TinyMCE modules) are failing, or the error message got copy/pasted with a typo.

✅ Quick 2-minute triage checklist

• Open the failing file URL directly in your browser (you’ll do this below).
• Hard refresh your browser (Ctrl+F5 / Cmd+Shift+R).
• Clear WP Rocket cache (and any host/CDN cache if applicable).
• Try an Incognito/Private window (removes extension interference).
• Check DevTools → Network and see if the file is 404, 403, or 500.

🧩 Confirm you’re using Advanced Editor Tools (TinyMCE Advanced)

WordPress used to call this plugin “TinyMCE Advanced.” These days, you’ll often see it branded as Advanced Editor Tools, while the folder path may still appear as tinymce-advanced on disk. That’s why the error can still show /wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/ even if the plugin name in wp-admin looks different.

Make sure the plugin is installed and updated. If your site updated recently, a partial update (or a caching layer serving old paths) can trigger this.

🔎 Test the plugin file URL directly (your fastest clue)

The first step is to try to access the file directly in the browser. Copy the URL from the error, paste it in a browser tab, and press Enter.

If you see minified JavaScript content (usually one long line), the file exists and your browser can reach it. In that case, the issue is commonly caching or optimization.

If you see an HTTP error (like 403 or 500) best would be to contact your web hosting company for help. In some cases deleting and re-installing the plugin may help.

How to fix Failed to load plugin: code from url /wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/mce/code/plugin.min.js

The first step to debug this is to try to access the file directly in the browser (i.e. copy the URL and paste in the browser and press Enter). See example image below: Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js

(https://www.your-domain-name.com/wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/mce/print/plugin.min.js)

If you see the file contents (that’s usually minified JS, so it is all on one line or so) chances are it was some sort of caching issue that is now resolved. Delete your browser cache and try using the editor again. Here are a few links to help you delete your browser cache:

How to delete my browser cache in Google Chrome (Video)

How to delete my browser cache in FireFox (Video)

How to delete my browser cache in Safari (Video)

How to delete my browser cache in Microsoft Edge (Video)

📁 Check the file exists on the server – Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js

If your direct URL test shows 404 Not Found, don’t overthink it. The file might be missing or the plugin install is incomplete.

• Check if the file exists: Go to the /wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/mce/code/ directory in your WordPress installation via FTP or File Manager in your hosting control panel and check if the plugin.min.js file exists.
• Correct file permissions: Files should generally have the permission set to 644 and directories to 755. If the permissions are incorrect, you can change them using an FTP client or through the File Manager.

If you’re on Rocket.net, their File Manager can make this check quick without opening FTP. If the folder is present but the mce/code/ folder is missing, reinstalling the plugin usually restores it.

🔐 Fix file permissions properly (avoid 777)

Yes, permissions cause this. No, 777 is not a fix—it’s a security problem waiting to happen.

Use these safe defaults:

• Folders: 755
• Files: 644

After you set them, re-test the direct URL again. If you were getting a 403, correct permissions often flip it back to 200.

🧹 Clear cache layers (browser, WP Rocket, host/CDN)

• Browser cache: Clear your browser cache to ensure that your browser is not loading an outdated version of the file.
• WordPress cache: If you’re using a caching plugin on your WordPress site, clear your site’s cache. Some hosting providers also have their own caching mechanisms which you might need to clear.

If you’re using WP Rocket, clear cache from Settings → WP Rocket → Dashboard (Clear and Preload). Then, if your host uses edge caching/CDN, purge that too. Finally, log out and back into wp-admin to force a clean editor load.

⚙️ WP Rocket: exclude the editor script from optimization

This is where a lot of people get burned. If WP Rocket minifies, defers, or delays a script that TinyMCE expects immediately, WordPress can throw Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js even when the file exists.

Practical approach:

• Temporarily disable WP Rocket’s JavaScript optimizations (minify/defer/delay), test the editor, then re-enable one-by-one.
• If the error disappears with JS optimization off, add an exclusion for the editor/plugin path (for example: /wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/).
• Re-test in an Incognito window to avoid cached scripts.

Once stable, keep exclusions as narrow as possible so you don’t sacrifice performance everywhere.

🧱 Security rules, WAFs, and “403 Forbidden”

If the file loads as 403 Forbidden, something is blocking it. Usually it’s a server security rule (ModSecurity), a WAF rule, hotlink protection, or an aggressive “protect wp-content” rule.

What to do:

• Check your security plugin logs (if you run one).
• Ask your host whether a WAF rule blocked plugin.min.js.
• Whitelist the specific path rather than disabling security entirely.

This is especially common when rules are written too broadly and end up blocking .js assets under plugin folders.

🧪 Plugin conflict test (fast and safe)

There might be a conflict with another plugin. To test this:

• Deactivate all other plugins except for TinyMCE Advanced.
• Check if the issue persists. If it’s resolved, reactivate your plugins one by one, checking each time to identify the conflicting plugin.

If the error returns immediately after enabling a specific plugin, you’ve got your culprit. From there, you can exclude scripts, disable overlapping editor features, or replace the plugin.

🎨 Theme conflict test (yes, themes can break editors)

Sometimes, themes can also cause conflicts. To check if your theme is the problem:

• Switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) temporarily.
• If the problem goes away, the issue might be with your theme. Contact the theme developer for support.

The theme can inject admin scripts, block assets, or conflict with the editor via custom TinyMCE configs. Don’t assume “themes only affect the frontend.”

🧾 .htaccess rules and redirect surprises

An improperly configured .htaccess file can also cause issues with accessing plugin files:

• Backup your .htaccess file.
• Temporarily replace it with the default WordPress .htaccess rules and check if the issue is resolved.

If your failing file URL redirects (301/302) to a login page or a security warning page, TinyMCE treats that as “failed to load” even though “something” loads. Your direct URL test will reveal this instantly.

🧾 Turn on WordPress logging (WP_DEBUG) and read debug.log

• Enable debugging in WordPress by setting WP_DEBUG to true in your wp-config.php file. Check the debug.log file for any relevant error messages.
• Check your server’s error logs for any clues that might point to what’s preventing the file from loading.

If you see file permission warnings, missing file paths, or a plugin throwing fatal errors, you’ll know exactly where the editor is breaking. Also, logs help your host support team fix it faster because you can give them something concrete.

📊 HTTP status code cheat sheet

❓ FAQs about this TinyMCE plugin load error

❓ Why does WordPress say “Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js”?

Because TinyMCE tried to load a JavaScript module and didn’t get the expected file back. It may be missing, blocked, cached, or rewritten by optimization.

❓ What’s the fastest way to troubleshoot it?

Copy the exact failing URL and open it in your browser. The HTTP status (200/403/404/500) tells you what to do next.

❓ If the file loads in my browser, why does WordPress still complain?

Because the editor can fail if scripts are delayed/deferred/minified in a way TinyMCE doesn’t like. Caching and optimization are common triggers.

❓ Why does the error sometimes show mce/print/ instead of mce/code/?

Either a different module is failing, or the message was copied with a path mismatch. Always trust the URL you see in DevTools → Network.

❓ Should I set permissions to 777 to fix it?

No. That can create security problems. Use 755 for folders and 644 for files, then re-test the direct URL.

❓ Can WP Rocket cause this error?

Yes. If WP Rocket delays or defers a script that TinyMCE expects immediately, TinyMCE can report a failed plugin load.

❓ What WP Rocket setting should I test first?

Temporarily disable JavaScript optimization (minify/defer/delay). If the editor works, add a narrow exclusion for the editor/plugin path.

❓ Is this a WordPress core bug?

Sometimes WordPress updates surface the issue, but the root cause is usually environment-related: missing files, blocking rules, or optimization conflicts.

❓ Can my theme break the WordPress editor?

Yes. Themes can load admin scripts or editor configs. Switching to a default theme is a clean way to confirm.

❓ What if I get a 403 on the plugin file URL?

A security rule or permissions issue is blocking the file. Check permissions first, then check host/WAF/security logs.

❓ What if I get a 404 on the plugin file URL?

The file is missing or the plugin install is corrupted. Reinstall the plugin and confirm the expected folders exist.

❓ Does clearing browser cache matter in wp-admin?

Yes. Browsers aggressively cache JS. A stale cached script can keep the error alive even after you fixed the server.

❓ Can a CDN or edge cache cause this?

Yes. If the CDN caches an old or blocked response for the JS file, wp-admin may keep receiving the wrong result until you purge it.

❓ Where do I find WordPress debug logs?

Most setups write to wp-content/debug.log when you enable logging in wp-config.php.

❓ When should I contact hosting support?

When you see 403/500/503, or when security rules/WAF blocks show up. Hosts can see server-level blocks you can’t.

📌 Conclusion, support options, and references

In most cases, Failed to load plugin: code plugin.min.js is either (1) a missing file (404), (2) a blocked file (403), or (3) an optimization/caching issue (file loads but TinyMCE still errors). Start with the direct URL test, then fix what the status code tells you.

If you want a pro to look at your setup (without guesswork), go straight to support instead of burning hours on trial-and-error.

🆘 Still having trouble ?

Need technical support? Contact Us.

Or, for faster troubleshooting help: Helpdesk Support.

🎥 Recommended Video

How to Enable WordPress Debug Logs? (In 2 Minutes!)
Why: Shows how to enable debug logging so you can catch editor/plugin errors fast.

How to Flush Cache WordPress (QUICK Method)
Why: Walks through clearing cache (often the simplest fix when the file exists but wp-admin still errors).

📚 Sources & references

• WordPress Developer Resources – File permissions
• WordPress Developer Resources – Debugging in WordPress
• Tiny Cloud – Fixing TinyMCE plugin errors
• WP Rocket Docs – Clear WP Rocket cache
• WP Rocket Docs – Exclude files from defer JS
• Rocket.net – File manager and cache management

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