Found two possible solutions until they update the code to have the option of using parent themes or child themes, rather than being forced to use the templates from a parent theme for the “Single Question Template” setting.
SOLUTION 1: Alter plugin by changing get_template_directory() to
get_stylesheet_directory()
In “/dw-question-answer/inc/template-functions.php” and “/dw-question-answer/inc/settings.php” files, replace all references to get_template_directory() with get_stylesheet_directory. As of the date of this post, there are 2 functions in the first file and 1 function in the second file that uses get_template_directory():
- In “/dw-question-answer/inc/template-functions.php” — Function “dwqa_get_template”: This function is used to automatically use a specific template with a specific name by looking for template files in your parent theme folder (via get_template_directory() path) with any of the file names listed in the array in the variable “$templates”. Like WordPress’ template hierarchy, if the first file does not exist, it looks for the next in the array, then the next, and so forth, to use as the single question template. By replacing get_template_directory() with get_stylesheet_directory, you’re in essence asking the function to look in your child theme for those same files.
- In “/dw-question-answer/inc/template-functions.php” — Public function “question_content”: In this function, The $template_folder defines the template directory used in a conditional statement that says if a template is selected on the settings page (“Single Question Template” dropdown), then use that file as the single question template, otherwise, use the default, which is whatever is available per the hierarchy established in the “dwqa_get_template” function mentioned above.
- Finally, in the “/dw-question-answer/inc/settings.php” file — Function “dwqa_single_template_options”: This function is used to grab the list of templates available and show them as the “Single Question Template” dropdown options on the plugin’s settings page.
I normally wouldn’t suggest editing a plugin directly, but all the functions using get_template_directory() don’t have filters you can hook into to update it to get_stylesheet_directory(). Regardless, the plugin authors “might” update this issue soon (hopefully) per the following support ticket: https://www.designwall.com/question/child-theme-template/
SOLUTION 2: Add a new file to your parent theme (no code changed in parent theme needed)
Alternatively, if you don’t mind adding an extra file inside your parent theme (which at least doesn’t “really” alter any code, you can just add a file titled exactly “single-dwqa-question.php” in your parent theme folder. This way, you don’t have to touch the plugin at all and you’re not changing code in the parent theme.
