API04005: JSON Recovery Attempted
What This Means
The server sent a response with some invalid JSON content, but the POS attempted to recover and extract valid data. This is an informational notice rather than a critical error.
What Happened
The POS detected:
- The response contained extra content before or after the JSON
- The core JSON data was still identifiable
- Recovery was attempted by extracting the valid JSON portion
Common Causes
- PHP notices in output — PHP warnings mixed with JSON
- Debug output — Development debugging left enabled
- Plugin notices — Other plugins outputting notices
- Whitespace issues — Extra whitespace around JSON
How to Fix
1. Disable PHP Display Errors
In wp-config.php:
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
ini_set('display_errors', 0);
2. Enable Error Logging Instead
Keep errors logged for debugging:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
3. Check for Plugin Debug Mode
Some plugins have debug modes that output extra content:
- Review plugin settings
- Disable debug/development modes
- Check for verbose logging options
4. Review Recent Changes
If this started recently:
- What changed on your server?
- Were plugins updated?
- Were PHP settings modified?
Is This Serious?
While the POS recovered from this issue, it indicates a configuration problem that should be fixed. The recovery process:
- May not always work
- Adds processing overhead
- Could mask other issues
Fix the underlying cause to ensure reliable operation.