Tag: WP_Query

Solution previous_posts_link and next_posts_link Not Working

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 Admin No Comments

Solution previous_posts_link and next_posts_link Not Working

If you are using WordPress and find that the previous_posts_link() and next_posts_link() functions are not working as expected, this guide will help you quickly fix the issue. These functions are essential for navigating between paginated blog posts or archive pages, and when they fail, it can disrupt user experience and site navigation.

Quick Fix

Ensure you are using query_posts() or the main query properly without overwriting it incorrectly.
Use paginate_links() or the correct loop structure if you have a custom query.
Verify that your theme’s index.php, archive.php, or relevant template files include the pagination functions inside the main loop.
Check your permalink settings and flush rewrite rules by saving permalinks again in the WordPress admin.
Make sure you are not calling these functions outside the WordPress Loop or without a proper query context.

Why This Happens

The previous_posts_link() and next_posts_link() functions rely on the global WordPress query object ($wp_query) to determine pagination. If you modify the query incorrectly, such as by using query_posts() improperly or creating a new WP_Query without setting up pagination parameters, these functions won’t work because they don’t have the correct context.

Additionally, calling these functions outside the loop or on pages without pagination will cause them to fail or not display links. Permalink issues or rewrite rules can also interfere with pagination URLs.

Step-by-Step

Check your main query usage: Avoid using query_posts() as it overrides the main query and can break pagination. Instead, use pre_get_posts filter or WP_Query properly.
Use the main loop for pagination: Make sure your pagination functions are inside the main loop or use the global $wp_query.
Flush rewrite rules: Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress admin and click “Save Changes” to refresh rewrite rules.
Implement correct pagination for custom queries: If you use a custom WP_Query, pass the current page parameter and use paginate_links() or custom pagination code.
Test your pagination: Navigate through your blog or archive pages to verify that the previous and next links appear and work correctly.

Code Snippets

Correct Usage in Main Loop (index.php or archive.php)

<?php if ( have_posts() ) : ?>
  <?php while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?>
    <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
    <div><?php the_excerpt(); ?></div>
  <?php endwhile; ?>

  <div class="pagination">
    <?php previous_posts_link('Newer Posts'); ?>
    <?php next_posts_link('Older Posts'); ?>
  </div>

<?php else : ?>
  <p>No posts found.</p>
<?php endif; ?>

Proper Custom Query Pagination

<?php
$paged = ( get_query_var('paged') ) ? get_query_var('paged') : 1;

$args = array(
  'post_type' => 'post',
  'posts_per_page' => 5,
  'paged' => $paged,
);

$custom_query = new WP_Query( $args );

if ( $custom_query->have_posts() ) :
  while ( $custom_query->have_posts() ) : $custom_query->the_post();
    ?>
    <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>
    <div><?php the_excerpt(); ?></div>
    <?php
  endwhile;

  $big = 999999999; // need an unlikely integer

  echo paginate_links( array(
    'base' => str_replace( $big, '%#%', esc_url( get_pagenum_link( $big ) ) ),
    'format' => '?paged=%#%',
    'current' => max( 1, get_query_var('paged') ),
    'total' => $custom_query->max_num_pages
  ) );

  wp_reset_postdata();
else :
  ?>
  <p>No posts found.</p>
  <?php
endif;
?>

Common Pitfalls

Using query_posts() without resetting the query causes pagination to break.
Calling previous_posts_link() and next_posts_link() outside the loop or outside the main query context.
Not passing the paged parameter in custom queries.
Permalink structure issues that require flushing rewrite rules.
Using custom queries without resetting post data (wp_reset_postdata()).

Test & Verify

Visit your blog or archive page with multiple pages of posts.
Check if the “Older Posts” and “Newer Posts” links appear at the bottom.
Click the links to navigate between pages and verify the URL changes correctly.
If using a custom query, ensure the pagination links reflect the correct page numbers.
Use browser developer tools to check for any JavaScript or PHP errors.

Wrap-up

Fixing previous_posts_link() and next_posts_link() not working usually involves ensuring proper use of the WordPress query system and pagination parameters. Avoid overriding the main query incorrectly, always pass the paged parameter for custom queries, and flush rewrite rules after permalink changes. Following the steps and code examples above will restore pagination functionality on your WordPress site.

Works on: Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed servers; compatible with cPanel and Plesk hosting environments; WordPress versions 4…

Queries & Pagination

WP_Query: exclude a category (and paginated archives)

August 19, 2025 Admin No Comments

WP_Query: Exclude a Category (and Paginated Archives)

If you want to display posts on your WordPress site but exclude one or more categories — including on paginated archive pages — the WP_Query class is your go-to solution. This tutorial shows you how to exclude categories properly, ensuring pagination works seamlessly without showing posts from unwanted categories.

When to Use This

You want to customize your blog or archive pages to hide posts from specific categories.
You need to exclude categories on paginated archive pages without breaking pagination.
You want to create custom loops or queries that omit certain categories.

Quick Fix: Exclude Categories in WP_Query

Use the category__not_in parameter in WP_Query to exclude categories by ID.
Ensure pagination parameters are correctly passed to maintain paginated archives.
Add the code snippet to your theme’s functions.php or a custom plugin.
Test on archive and paginated pages to confirm excluded categories don’t appear.

Why This Happens

By default, WordPress queries include posts from all categories unless filtered. Using category__not_in tells WordPress to exclude posts assigned to specific category IDs. However, if pagination is not handled correctly, excluding categories can cause pagination to break or display unexpected results because the total post count changes.

Properly passing the current page number and using WP_Query with exclusion parameters ensures WordPress calculates pagination based on the filtered posts, maintaining correct page counts and navigation.

Step-by-Step: Exclude a Category with Pagination Support

Identify the category ID(s) you want to exclude. You can find this in the WordPress admin under Posts → Categories. Hover over a category name and note the ID from the URL (e.g., tag_ID=5).
Create a custom query using WP_Query with the category__not_in parameter and pagination support.

<?php
$paged = ( get_query_var('paged') ) ? get_query_var('paged') : 1;

$args = array(
    'post_type'      => 'post',
    'posts_per_page' => 10,
    'paged'          => $paged,
    'category__not_in' => array(5), // Replace 5 with your category ID(s)
);

$custom_query = new WP_Query( $args );

if ( $custom_query->have_posts() ) :
    while ( $custom_query->have_posts() ) : $custom_query->the_post();
        the_title('<h2>', '</h2>');
        the_excerpt();
    endwhile;

    // Pagination
    echo paginate_links( array(
        'total'   => $custom_query->max_num_pages,
        'current' => $paged,
    ) );

    wp_reset_postdata();
else :
    echo '<p>No posts found.</p>';
endif;
?>

Add via functions.php or Mini-Plugin

You can add the above code directly in a custom page template or inside a shortcode function for easier reuse. Here is an example shortcode you can add to your theme’s functions.php or a small plugin file:

<?php
function exclude_category_shortcode( $atts ) {
    $atts = shortcode_atts( array(
        'exclude' => '', // comma-separated category IDs
        'posts_per_page' => 5,
    ), $atts, 'exclude_category' );

    $exclude_ids = array_map( 'intval', explode( ',', $atts['exclude'] ) );
    $paged = ( get_query_var('paged') ) ? get_query_var('paged') : 1;

    $args = array(
        'post_type'      => 'post',
        'posts_per_page' => intval( $atts['posts_per_page'] ),
        'paged'          => $paged,
        'category__not_in' => $exclude_ids,
    );

    $query = new WP_Query( $args );

    ob_start();

    if ( $query->have_posts() ) :
        while ( $query->have_posts() ) : $query->the_post();
            echo '<h2>' . get_the_title() . '</h2>';
            echo get_the_excerpt();
        endwhile;

        echo paginate_links( array(
            'total'   => $query->max_num_pages,
            'current' => $paged,
        ) );

        wp_reset_postdata();
    else :
        echo '<p>No posts found.</p>';
    endif;

    return ob_get_clean();
}
add_shortcode( 'exclude_category', 'exclude_category_shortcode' );
?>

Use the shortcode in posts or pages like this:

[exclude_category exclude="5,7" posts_per_page="10"]

Testing

Place the code in your theme or use the shortcode on a page.
Visit the page and verify posts from the excluded categories do not appear.
Navigate to paginated pages (e.g., /page/2/) and confirm pagination works and excluded categories remain hidden.
Check for any 404 errors or empty pages and adjust posts_per_page or category IDs if needed.

Variations

Exclude multiple categories: Pass multiple IDs in the array, e.g., 'category__not_in' => array(5, 7, 9).
Exclude by slug: Use tax_query instead of category__not_in for more complex queries.
Exclude categories on main blog page: Use the pre_get_posts action hook to modify the main query.

Works on

Environment	Notes
Apache	Fully compatible; standard WordPress setup.
Nginx	Works as expected; ensure permalinks are configured correctly.
LiteSpeed	Compatible; no special configuration needed.

…

Developer Snippets