Troubleshooting
If you’re here you’re probably facing an issue when using Encrypted Post Type – sorry about that. Please review the troubleshooting content below that will hopefully provide you with the assistance you need. If it doesn’t, then please get in touch.
Content is not encrypting
Encryption takes place when a post is saved using the WordPress hook save_post. If content is not encrypting then something is preventing the encryption process from triggering. The first thing to do is to deactivate all plugins except Encrypted Post Type (or Encrypted Post Type Pro if you’ve purchased the pro version). If the content is still not encrypting then change the theme to a default theme (e.g. Twenty Twenty Two). If the content is still not encrypting then open an issue in the support forum, or if you’re a pro customer fill in the form here to get support.
How to check if content is encrypted
The quickest way to check is to change the view on the All Notes screen to ‘Extended view’. You can do this by clicking ‘Screen Options’ in the top right of the screen, selecting the ‘Extended view’ radio and clicking ‘Update’. You’ll then see the content for each post display in the first column, if the content is encrypted then you’ll see the ciphertext. You can turn off Extended view by selecting ‘Compact view’ and then clicking ‘Update’.
Content is not decrypting
If content is not decrypting then there is an issue accessing the encryption keys. It’s important not to edit the encrypted content otherwise you won’t be able to decrypt it (although if you have revisions enabled then you’ll be able to revert to an older version if necessary).
Check that the ‘master key’ exists
When you activate Encrypted Post Type a master key is saved in the options table. And every time you add a new EPT post a check is done to make sure the master key exists (and if it doesn’t exist, it’s created).
The first thing to check is whether the master key exists. To do this go to [YOUR SITE URL]/wp-admin/options.php.
Important: Do not edit any settings on this screen.
Search for en_p_t_ek_e, if you can find it then great, your master key exists! If you can’t find it then add a new EPT post to trigger the process that creates the master key. Check again and if the master key is still not being added then there’s something on your site blocking the master key from being added. Try disabling all plugins (except Encrypted Post Type) and trying again, if the master key is still not being created then switch to a default theme (for example Twenty Twenty-Two) and try again. If the master key is still not being added then open an issue in the support forum, or if you’re a pro customer fill in the form here to get support.