WordPress Classic Editor Defaulting to Text Mode

How to Keep WordPress Classic Editor from Defaulting to Text Mode in PHP 8: Are you facing an issue where the WordPress Classic Editor defaults to text mode after updating to PHP 8? You’re not alone! Many users prefer the visual editor for its easy to use WYSIWYG interface, and this unexpected change can be frustrating.

Thankfully, there’s a simple fix to restore the visual editor as the default option. In this guide, I’ll explain why this issue occurs, provide a step-by-step solution, and share additional tips to manage WordPress customization safely.

Screenshot of WordPress Classic Editor defaulting to text mode with a fix for PHP 8.

Why WordPress Classic Editor Defaults to Text Mode?

This issue often occurs due to changes introduced in PHP 8, which affect how WordPress processes and stores editor settings. Updates to PHP may cause certain preferences, like defaulting to the visual editor, to reset or behave unexpectedly.

While this might seem like a minor inconvenience, it can disrupt workflows for users accustomed to the visual editor’s rich text formatting capabilities. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to fix by modifying your theme’s configuration file.

How to Prevent WordPress Classic Editor from Defaulting to Text Mode

To force the WordPress Classic Editor to open in visual mode by default, you’ll need to add a small piece of code to your theme’s functions.php file. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard. Use your admin credentials to access the backend of your WordPress site.
  2. Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor. In the left-hand menu, select Appearance, then click on Theme Editor.
  3. Locate the functions.php file. In the right-hand column, look for functions.php under the list of theme files and click on it to open.
  4. Add the code snippet:
add_filter( 'wp_default_editor', function() { return "tinymce"; } );

What does this code do? This snippet uses the add_filter function to change the default editor setting to TinyMCE, which is the engine behind the visual editor.

  1. Save your changes. Once you’ve added the code, click the Update File button to save.
  2. Test the fix. Open any post or page to confirm that the editor defaults to visual mode.

Pro Tip: Managing WordPress Customizations Safely

Directly editing your theme’s functions.php file works well, but it’s not always the safest option. Here are some tips to manage customizations more securely:

  • Use a child theme: A child theme preserves your changes during theme updates. If you’re not already using one, consider creating a child theme for modifications.
  • Install a custom code plugin: Plugins like Code Snippets allow you to add code snippets without directly editing files. This minimizes the risk of breaking your site.
  • Backup your site: Always create a backup before making changes to core files. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong.

Additional WordPress and PHP Resources

If you’re new to WordPress customization or want to learn more about handling PHP updates, check out these helpful articles:

Final Thoughts

With this quick fix, you can restore the WordPress Classic Editor to default to visual mode, saving you time and improving your editing experience. Remember to implement customizations safely by using a child theme or a plugin for code snippets.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with others who might be struggling with the same issue. For more tips, feel free to check out my WordPress Tutorials Category and happy blogging!