Troubleshooting
Fix common HiveNest rule issues.
Use these checks when conditional attributes do not appear as expected or required validation behaves differently than planned.
License will not activate
Confirm the key is in the HNST-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX format and copied in full from your account or purchase confirmation. Check the license status in WP Admin → HiveNest → License. A failed activation never wipes a working license, so your previous status is preserved.
“Could not connect to PracticalStack”
This is a network issue, not a license issue. Your cached status is kept and nothing is lost. Confirm the site can make outbound HTTPS requests and that no firewall or security plugin blocks them, then click Check Status. The production license server is https://practicalstack.dev.
“Site limit reached”
A Single Site license covers one site at a time. Open HiveNest → License on the site that currently holds the activation and click Deactivate License, then activate on the new site — or upgrade to Unlimited Sites.
A rule does not show child fields
Confirm the trigger attribute is present on the listing form, the condition value matches the saved HivePress option, and the rule is Active. If caching is active, clear it and reload the form.
A hidden required field still blocks submission
Check that the field is controlled by the rule. In Safe Mode, HiveNest relaxes the required flag on hidden child fields on the client, during REST validation, and during the listing save/progression steps, so a hidden required field should not block submission.
Select2 / value mismatch
Dropdown attributes submit a numeric term ID even though the label reads, for example, “BMW”. HiveNest matches term IDs, slugs, and labels, so re-select the trigger value from the rule editor if a rule never fires. The Compatibility Check flags unmatched trigger values.
Localhost / API base override
For local development, define HIVENEST_LICENSE_API_URL in wp-config.php (for example http://localhost:3000 or http://127.0.0.1:3000). The override always wins over the default https://practicalstack.dev, and the License screen footer shows the actually resolved server URL.
Plugin version mismatch
If the License screen shows old copy or the wrong server after an update, the site may be running stale cached code. Make sure the installed plugin matches the latest version and clear any PHP OpCache or full-page cache, then reload wp-admin.
Rules work on submit but not edit
Open an existing listing with saved values and confirm the trigger attribute is still rendered on the edit form, and that the rule's scope includes edit. Test with Safe Mode enabled before checking theme overrides.
Theme or plugin markup conflicts
Disable custom form template overrides temporarily. HiveNest avoids theme template edits, but heavily customized form markup can still change field behavior.
Before contacting support
Note your HivePress version, WordPress version, active theme, whether Safe Mode is enabled, and the parent/child attributes used in the rule. Include whether the issue appears on submit forms, edit forms, or both.