Troubleshooting

Need a larger media upload limit? Increase media file maximum upload size in WordPress (Cloudways)

PHP version BeatStore 4.x requires PHP 8.1 or higher and WordPress 6.5+. (Older docs said 7.2 — that was 3.x.)

Clear caches Browser cache, host cache, and any WordPress caching plugin.

Permalinks

Settings → Permalinks → Post name, then Save. Off-site embeds prefer /beatstore-embed/. Query-string ?beatstore_embed=1 still works if permalinks are plain. Iframe Buy uses /beatstore-buy/. Mailchimp signed downloads use /beatstore-free-download/ and protected previews use /beatstore-preview/. Install and plugin updates flush those rewrites. Resave permalinks only if a URL still 404s.

Mailchimp Free button missing?

Connect an API key and audience under BeatStore → Integrations. The beat needs a Media Library Upload preview (SoundCloud/Dropbox-only cannot attach a file). Then set Free download (email) to On, or enable the all-tracks default. Integrations.

Protected preview 404 or "invalid or has expired"?

Turn on Protect uploaded previews, resave permalinks if /beatstore-preview/ 404s, and reload the player so it gets a fresh catalog URL. Default lifetime is 60 minutes. Full notes: Protect uploaded previews.

Audio not playing (Upload / Dropbox)?

CORS often bites when the MP3 is on another host (including Dropbox). On Apache you can allow the player to fetch the file:

<IfModule mod_headers.c>
Header set Access-Control-Allow-Origin "*"
</IfModule>

Tighten that origin in production if you can.

SoundCloud preview not playing?

BeatStore → Integrations, paste Client ID and Client Secret, save, then re-save affected beats. 4.x does not read SoundCloud constants from wp-config.php. Full steps: SoundCloud audio previews.

Dropbox preview not playing?

Use a public share link. 4.x rewrites www.dropbox.com to dl.dropboxusercontent.com. Folder links and private files will not stream. Dropbox audio previews.

Upgraded from 3.x and previews / playlists look empty?

Run BeatStore → Import (dry run, then write). Upgrading from 3.x.

Do I still need Simple Page Ordering or ACF?

No, not for BeatStore 4.x. EDD order is Downloads → Sorting. Playlists and beat fields are native. Upgrading from 3.x lists what you can deactivate.

Both EDD and Woo are active?

Pick one under BeatStore → Settings → Commerce. Do not expect a merged catalog.

Merch or a non-beat product showing in the player?

Edit the EDD download or Woo product and check Hide from player in the BeatStore panel. Merchandise & physical products.

Beat is published but missing from the player?

The catalog skips beats with no playable preview (Upload, SoundCloud, or Dropbox). Attach a preview on the BeatStore panel. Checkout still works without one. Hidden-from-player products are omitted either way.