Outside links won't open in new tab; big problem for videos

  • A month ago this was working, but now no matter how or where on the site I have set the command for where outside links should open, they open on the same page instead of in a new tab or window. I guess I can mostly live with that because I’ve been seeing notes that it’s “bad manners” to force a new tab, but it’s a big problem for video links. If I put the link to a YouTube video on a word, it won’t open in YouTube but opens in a lightbox – and then it won’t play. When I click on the Play arrow, I get “An error occurred. Please try again later.” I’ve tried all the steps that YouTube recommends from reloading the page to clearing the cache, but nothing works. If the link would just open on YouTube instead of in a lightbox, I wouldn’t have a problem. Ideas?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    What you’re describing isn’t standard WordPress functionality. The link *should* be going to YouTube as you want it to, so we’ll have to track down what’s preventing that.

    Try deactivating all plugins. If that resolves the issue, reactivate each one individually until you find the cause.

    If that does not resolve the issue, try switching to the Twenty Sixteen theme to rule-out a theme-specific issue (theme functions can interfere like plugins).

    Thread Starter bamster

    (@bamster)

    I’m confused – I described several things, so what specifically is not standard WordPress functionality? That the outside links can’t be set to open in a new tab/window, or that they’re defaulting into a lightbox, or something else? Just not sure, thanks!

    I will try the plugin trick. I can’t permanently switch my theme, though.

    Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    WordPress does not have lightbox functionality built in, so whatever is causing YouTube videos to open in lightboxes is not standard WordPress functionality.

    You don’t need to switch the theme permanently. If switching off all plugins didn’t reveal anything, switch to Twenty Sixteen to see if you still have the problem under Twenty Sixteen, then switch back.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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