When updating plugins on a WordPress site, it’s not uncommon for new releases to introduce unexpected issues. In this case, a recent update to Slider Revolution (v6.7.33–6.7.35) caused sliders to stop displaying—particularly on sites using WPBakery Page Builder.
The issue was traced back to newly introduced accessibility (ARIA) features. The resolution involved isolating the problematic update, rolling back the plugin, and safely proceeding with other updates via a staging environment.
Issue Background
A WordPress site using:
- Slider Revolution
- WPBakery Page Builder
- Hosting with WP Engine
- CDN/security layer via Cloudflare
Experienced a critical issue:
- The homepage slider stopped displaying entirely after updating Slider Revolution to version 6.7.35
Additional constraints included:
- BlogVault restore functionality was blocked due to Cloudflare firewall restrictions
- No existing staging environment prior to troubleshooting
Diagnosis
Through testing and version comparison, the issue was narrowed down to:
- A bug introduced in Slider Revolution v6.7.33+
- Related to new ARIA accessibility features
- Causing rendering failures on the frontend
Key findings:
- Version 6.7.14 functioned correctly
- Versions 6.7.33–6.7.35 caused the slider to disappear
- The issue persisted after re-updating, confirming a version-specific bug
Resolution Steps
1. Create a staging environment
A staging site was created using hosting tools to safely test updates without affecting the live site.
2. Reproduce the issue on staging
Slider Revolution was updated to v6.7.35 and the issue was confirmed when the slider failed to render.
3. Roll back Slider Revolution
The plugin was reverted to version 6.7.14, immediately restoring slider functionality.
4. Proceed with selective plugin updates
Other plugins, including WPBakery Page Builder, were updated successfully while leaving Slider Revolution on a stable version.
5. Work around backup limitations
Due to Cloudflare blocking BlogVault restore functionality, all testing and validation were completed manually within the staging environment.
6. Verify live site stability
The live site was confirmed to be functioning properly after rollback, with no frontend issues remaining.
7. Defer problematic plugin updates
Slider Revolution updates were postponed until a future release resolves the ARIA-related bug.
Final Outcome
The homepage slider was fully restored by rolling back to Slider Revolution v6.7.14. Other plugins were updated safely, and a staging workflow was established for future maintenance.
This issue highlights the importance of testing plugin updates in a controlled environment and identifying version-specific conflicts before deploying to production.
If you’re running into plugin conflicts, failed updates, or broken frontend elements after a WordPress update, contact Freshy for expert help.
