Security plugin conflict – Scheduler not working

[SaraParticipant]

I am using iThemes to secure my WordPress sites, which are also using Updraft. This is creating a problem with the scheduler, so the scheduled backups are not working. I’ve combed through the security settings and cannot figure out what is causing the scheduler issue.

I can provide the log from the manual incomplete backup.

[Dee NutbourneModerator]

Hi,

Do you have any form of error code or message about the scheduler error?
If you install the free WP Crontrol plugin, and then go to Tools>Cron Events, you should see an error message.

Please could you send us the log?
The content will be too long to post here directly, but you can use an online service such as Dropbox or Pastebin, and post the link here.

Best Wishes,
David N

[SaraParticipant]

Hi David,

The error message is: There was a problem spawning a call to the WP-Cron system on your site. This means WP-Cron events on your site may not work. The problem was:
Unexpected HTTP response code: 403

Here is the log from the back up that is currently attempting to run that was started yesterday: https://www.dropbox.com/s/buibf907s5l6asb/log.2afd2d18faf7.txt?dl=0

Thanks!

Sara

[Dee NutbourneModerator]

Hi Sara,

Thank you.

It does appear that the scheduler is broken and unable to call the WP Cron system.
This will break any scheduled events for the site, including backup resumptions.

If the issues only started after enabling iThemes Security, I would recommend contacting iThemes support and asking them what option is the cause.

Alternatively, you can try enabling the backup alternate cron system. To do so, please add the following line to your wp-config.php file, just under the database information:
define('ALTERNATE_WP_CRON', true);

[SaraParticipant]

Hi David,

I’ve made an incorrect assumption, based on what the host told me about the cause of the issue. I deactivated the security plugin and the backup still will not complete.

What is the next step?

[Bryle CroduaModerator]

Hi Sara,

Please can you send us a copy of the latest backup log?

Regards,
Bryle

[SaraParticipant]

This reply has been marked as private.

[Dee NutbourneModerator]

Hi Sara,

Please could you try enabling the backup alternate cron system, by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:
define('ALTERNATE_WP_CRON', true);

Does this allow the backup to complete?

Best Wishes,
David N

[SaraParticipant]

Hi David,

Added that line to the main wp-config for the multisite. The backup is still stalling. What next?

[Dee NutbourneModerator]

Hi,

Would it be possible to allow us access to the site, so we can inspect the issue firsthand?

If so, please could you open a support ticket via the form below, and ask for the ticket to be assigned to David N?
https://updraftplus.com/paid-support-requests/

Best Wishes,
David N

[SaraParticipant]

Hi David,

The backups are running now, but there is now a string added to the site urls. Example: https://dallasinfrared.biz/?doing_wp_cron=1546943289.6825668811798095703125

This is not ideal. If someone comes to the site and copies the url, they will get this string

Please advise.

[Dee NutbourneModerator]

Hi,

Please could you ask your hosts/server admin if ‘loopback’ connections are disabled on the server and, if so, would it be possible to allow them?

You should then be able to disable the alternate cron system and return to the normal scheduler.

Best Wishes,
David N

[Author]

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