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Site Crashes When VAT Validation Plugin Is Active

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Problem Description #

With the VAT Validation plugin enabled, the site crashes (backend fatal error) or returns memory exhaustion errors, causing the site to become inaccessible or unstable.

Common symptoms

  • PHP Fatal error: “Allowed memory size of … bytes exhausted (tried to allocate … )” when plugin active. WordPress.org
  • Site works fine when plugin is disabled; issue disappears. WordPress.org

Cause

  • The plugin’s logic or integration with WooCommerce (or with other plugins: e.g. Polylang, custom checkout, multi-language) leads to heavy memory consumption. possibly due to loops, session or country checks, or integration conflicts.
  • On some hosts or configurations (limited memory), plugin triggers an unusually high PHP memory usage.

Solution (step‑by‑step)

  1. Disable plugin immediately (via WP admin or FTP) to restore site access.
  2. Update plugin to latest version: The plugin is actively maintained; ensure you’re using the latest version available from WordPress.org. WordPress.org+1
  3. Increase PHP memory limit (temporarily): Edit wp-config.php or hosting PHP settings to raise memory limit (e.g. define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’,’256M’);). Test site stability.
  4. Check for plugin/theme conflicts: Temporarily switch to a default theme and disable other plugins (especially multi-language or checkout customization plugins such as Polylang), then enable VAT plugin and test.
  5. If crash persists: Enable WP_DEBUG and check error logs. Note which function or file triggers memory exhaustion, collect stack trace and contact plugin support with details (WP/WC version, PHP version/memory limit, active plugins, error logs).

Prerequisites

  • Access to WP admin, FTP, or hosting control panel to disable plugin or change PHP settings.
  • PHP memory limit editable (on your host).

Additional Notes

  • On high-traffic sites or stores with large product catalogs, VAT validation logic may need optimization. Consider using a caching or alternative VAT verification method for high volume.
  • Always test plugin updates on a staging site first.

 

EU VAT Manager for WooCommerce

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