Another WordPress Error!
Nothing like getting a dreaded wordpress error message. At first I was going to document how I solved my problem. 26 frustrating hours later, I decided to just point you in the right direction because the answer isn’t a one size fits all answer.
The only drawback to wordpress is that it is open source. What that means is that developers are free to fiddle with it. It means we get hundreds of fun free plugins. Unfortunately it also means we are doomed to constantly battle different errors.
WordPress Submit Review Error
Besides not being able to edit my post, I also wasn’t able to publish my post. It was as if I was just a contributor on my own blog, not admin. Man, this problem really threw me for a loop.
The problem really started when I tried to upload an image. The image wouldn’t upload, so at first I tried to figure out what was causing my images to not upload.
While I think you can find the answer to almost anything simply by googling. Sometimes though you end up worse than when you started. This is true in my case, I spent some crazy amount of hours trying all types of solutions provided by google and the internet community.
The Solution To My WordPress Problem and Maybe Yours
Here are the some of the symptoms
- Can’t publish post, just get error message “You Are Not Allowed To Publish Post”
- Can’t upload images “Nothing happens after uploading, the image never appears
- Can’t comment without getting a 404 error
- Your publish button vanishes and you are left with submit for review button “but still get the same not allowed to publish post”
There may be a few more but though are the major issues. Pretty big issues actually! This shit pissed me off, I think I am still bitter over it as I write this. Okay sorry bout that…
This isn’t a new problem in fact I found solutions for this issue from way back in 2005. It’s like going to the doctor and telling him you have a fever and stuffy nose and achy joints.. LOLS it could be anything!@!!
So I started my trouble shooting by, turning off all my plugins.. that didn’t help! Then I switched themes, that just made me loose my settings. GRRRR!! That didn’t help either.
Okay so now I rolled up my sleeves, I started digging into my mysql database not that I have a frigging clue what I am doing there. But there are times when you must do what you must. I repaired my database, I deleted rows and tables, I changed command threads..
Since I was scared shitless I might corrupt everything I backed up as much as I could. My database my wordpress folders figuring worse case scenerio I have to pay a professional to fix my shiz.
Thank goodness for friends. I called up my buddy and told her my wordpress woes. She suggested I run WP_Debugger. Why didn’t I think of that I told myself. I guess when your pissed your mind gets pre-occupied and you miss the obvious.
So I debugged, and got and insert command error. Now we are getting somewhere! That lead me to realize it was some sort of memory error or something of that nature. Best my non techy ass could come up with.
So I went into my control panel for my hosting and started rooting through my msql databases and realized profitonknowledge only has 100mb database. DOH!
I had went over my limit big time. Makes sense looking back because this blog started running slower, errors popped on me from nowhere all the time.
Of course my hosting company upgraded there stuff and I can now make 1000mb mysql databases. So now I said forget about rolling my sleeves up, I have to get down and dirty with this one.
I had to access ssh shell, export my old data, import by way of putty. If non of that makes sense, don’t worry if you have a good hosting company give them a call. They should be able to help you.
CAUTION!!!! Do not sound timid with those people you are paying them for their service. Curse at them, threaten them, ask to speak to supervisor. If not you are going to get a wishy washy answer and blown off.
(They can find out what the problem is much much faster than you can if they can’t they shouldn’t be working for a hosting company.)
So ya… My problem was my database was to small, wordpress simply had no more room to grow. Switched databases, changes my wp-config file to point to the new database and BAM it works…
In order to fix your problem if your database is to small you will need access to.
- MyPhpAdmin
- FTP client
- Putty.exe
- access to your ssh
I think older wordpress builds have different issues but the newer version of wordpress is pretty clean. If you have been blogging for awhile and this problem starts occuring, I recommend downloading WP_Debugger . It can save you time looking for what your problem is.
Note: I am not sure if it’s all hosting companies are the same, but mine only allowed me to upload 50mb through myphpadmin. In order to get bigger databases imported you will have to use third party scripts or programs to upload big files.
At the very least I hope this post gives you some idea how to debug your wordpress errors.
Resources
https://kb.edgewebhosting.net/KnowledgebaseArticle53024.aspx
http://wordpress.org/support/topic/admin-getting-you-are-not-allowed-to-edit-this-post-on-save-draft
http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-to-backup-and-restore-export-and-import-mysql-databases-tutorial/
http://www.wanderings.net/notebook/Main/HowToImportLargeMySQLDataFiles

I haven’t run into this problem, YET, but I thank you for sharing. I have been using Joomla for several years and it is chalk full of similar problems. Oh well though, well worth it overall, I suppose. I’ve been working with WP more recently though so I’m going to bookmark your “WordPress tidbits” category for when I start having problems 🙂
Thanks Mel! 🙂
Nice and informative article, Usage of WP_Debugger plugin can reduce your headache. 😉
Hi Aaron, WP_Debugger, is a really cool plugin. Before this issue, I wasn’t aware of how useful it is.
It is always sad to see WordPress errors. Sometimes I get very scared by seeing such errors.
Hi Sahil, you got that right. I love WordPress, the only gripe I have is that it is prone to having errors from time to time.
I am also using word press but never conquered in such problems. anyhow thanks for sharing with me earlier because now whenever i got such problem i will solve them by using your suggestions.
I have a couple wordpress sites, but have never run into these types of problems (knock on wood). I did install WP debugger after reading your post, just in case. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
I think that 404 is the number that will soon start appearing in my nightmares!
I have to check the size of my database. Thanks!
I wonder what’s your hosting company is? Anyway, at least you were able to find out the cause of error in editing your post in wordpress. Thanks to your friend! Sometimes you can even rely to your hosting support to help you out resolve this kind of issue.
I have never encountered such serious errors. I only error that I encountered was while approving comments and it did not let me approve a few comments. I had to reopen the page top fix it. Thank you sharing about WP_Debugger. Might come in handy in the future.
I agree, Larry. It is immensely frustrating when an error slips in while working with WordPress and we’re unable to undo it. That is my only pet peeve with an otherwise reliable and efficient software. Hopefully, in the future, WP come up with a solution for this.
-Jean
Larry, I want to follow up on my previous comment. When I said in the future, that solution, that I suggest is for wordpress to actually have a message about the issue in the admin panel itself. It wouldn’t be too hard really if wordpress had a message warning us that we are close to the database limit. I am positive just a simple message like that, would of saved yourself so many hours and frustration, Believe me I’ve been there myself. Seems simple enough to me, but I guess they overlooked that. In the meantime though, hopefully everyone lands here on your site to get the fix!
-Jean
Hey Jean,
I feel ya bro! I love wordpress and really there isn’t another blogging plate form that compares. I agree I don’t see any reason why they can’t do that.
If anything, its a good idea.. It’s also a good idea to pay someone to create a plugin for you that can do that and make sure you own the rights to it.
Then you could turn around and sell it 🙂 Just saying…
very often i got error that, whenever i try to make any comment on any wordpress site after some time it gives error that you recently submitted a comment please try again after some time. I cant understand what is the problem.