In the fall, WordPress has a project to upgrade the version of jQuery that is included. The version previously used is 1.x and jQuery is up to 3.x. High time it was upgraded quite simply.
jQuery is a JavaScript library commonly used to create fancy effects, and to allow the site to change without a page load needed. Although jQuery is declining in popularity these days, many themes and extensions for WordPress use it extensively.
When WordPress 5.6 is released later this year (currently scheduled for December 17), jQuery will be upgraded to version 3.x. But already now, in conjunction with WordPress 5.5 released on August 11, a help script (jQuery Migrate) has been removed that offered support for even older versions.
If you use themes or extensions that rely on features that are now gone, you may find that parts of your site stop working.
Common errors are:
- Blank screens
- Empty media library (don’t worry-it’s not gone!)
- You can’t add links when editing
- Interactive features that stop working
Ideally, you should try to update the themes and extensions you use to the latest versions. But to buy yourself some time and solve the problem of a broken site right away, you can install the Enable jQuery Migrate Helper extension.
The change is good for security, performance and the future. If you had problems with the update to WordPress 5.5 now, you should review the themes and extensions you are using and make sure they will work going forward.