WordPress 6.6.1 Released: Fixes Critical Errors in Version 6.6

WordPress has released version 6.6.1, a crucial update that addresses significant issues found in the previous 6.6 release. These updates are essential for maintaining the functionality and security of WordPress sites, making it imperative for users to update immediately. This post will provide an in-depth look at the problems fixed in version 6.6.1 and explain why this update is critical for all WordPress users.

What is WordPress 6.6.1 (and Why Does it Matter)?

WordPress 6.6.1 is a maintenance release that addresses seven major issues found in version 6.6, including two that caused fatal errors (website crashes). This update restores the stability and security of websites affected by these bugs. For anyone running a WordPress site, understanding and applying these updates is crucial to ensure seamless operation and protection against potential vulnerabilities.

Fatal Errors in WordPress 6.6

The Underlined Links Issue

One of the most talked-about issues on social media was a bug affecting users of certain page builders and themes like Divi. This bug caused all links to be underlined, dramatically altering the appearance of websites. Although underlined links are generally good practice, they are not necessary in all cases, such as in top-level navigation.

A post on the WordPress.org support forums highlighted this issue:

“Updating to 6.6 caused all links to be immediately underlined on a staging Divi-themed site.”

Despite a suggested workaround, the root cause remained unclear. Divi issued an emergency fix for its users, although the issue originated from WordPress. WordPress acknowledged the bug and included a fix in version 6.6.1.

Other Major Issues Fixed in 6.6.1

1. is_utf8_charset() Undefined in compat.php: This caused a fatal error affecting users of WP Super Cache, leading to the temporary disabling of website caching.
   • GitHub notation: “Disabling the cache removes the error but is far from ideal.”
2. PHP Fatal Error with WP_Comment: This issue arose when the code attempted to convert a WP_Comment object to a string, leading to a fatal error. A Divi user discovered this problem.

Additional Bugs Fixed in 6.6.1

While the following bugs did not cause websites to crash, they were significant enough to warrant fixes in the 6.6.1 update:

• False Positive Security Warnings: Fixed a bug causing security plugins to issue incorrect alerts about possible hacker files.
• Admin Toolbar Display: Addressed an issue affecting how the admin toolbar was displayed.
• Invalid CSS: Resolved a bug causing unwanted horizontal scrolling on web pages.
• Category Chooser Box in Post Editor: Fixed an issue where the category chooser box became excessively long instead of showing a scroll UI within a set size.

Conclusion

WordPress 6.6.1 is an essential update that addresses significant issues from the previous version, ensuring that websites run smoothly and securely. It’s crucial for all WordPress users to update to this version to avoid potential disruptions and security risks.

Ensure your WordPress site is running the latest version by updating to 6.6.1. If you need assistance with your update, contact our support team for a consultation.