Title: Cannot reinitialise DataTable
Last modified: October 23, 2025

---

# Cannot reinitialise DataTable

 *  Resolved [WebBasser](https://wordpress.org/support/users/webbasser/)
 * (@webbasser)
 * [7 months, 2 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-reinitialise-datatable-7/)
 * I’m having trouble with an error message with a fishing tournament roster. The
   error does not occur until the table is completely loaded.
 * DataTables warning: table id=table_1 – Cannot reinitialise DataTable. For more
   information about this error, please see [http://datatables.net/tn/3](http://datatables.net/tn/3)
 * I was working with Allan on another related forum to resolve this. He did determine
   there’s a javascript file that is initializing the table. Further, he informed
   me that:
 * “The other, as you indicate will be in wpDataTables. If you are using wpDataTables,
   you don’t need to initialise a DataTable yourself. Use its configuration options
   in its UI to control the features of the DataTable.”
 * He was not able to help me further, so I’d like to ask for some insight in correcting
   this error so that it does not happen moving forward.
 * I found several code snippets concerning this error, and input them in the “settings”
   code section of wpDatatables – but the error persists.
 * Thanks for any assistance!
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Fcannot-reinitialise-datatable-7%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

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

 *  Plugin Support [Milos Jovanovic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/milosjovanovicwpdt/)
 * (@milosjovanovicwpdt)
 * [7 months, 2 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-reinitialise-datatable-7/#post-18692510)
 * Hello,
 * Can you first confirm whether you’re using the **free/Lite version** of wpDataTables
   or the **premium version**?
 * Regarding the issue:
   Please check if the table loads correctly on the **back-
   end**.If it does, that means the issue is specific to the **front-end**, where
   something else on your site is preventing our table from loading properly.
 * Can you also confirm whether there are any **other DataTables elements, content,
   or scripts** on the same page as your wpDataTable?
   Even though wpDataTables is
   built on the **DataTables jQuery library**, they can’t be used together on the
   same page. If another DataTables script tries to initialize a table, it will 
   conflict with ours.
 * If you’ve added any **custom JavaScript or CSS snippets** in **Settings → Custom
   JS & CSS**, or through your theme/page builder, please remove or temporarily 
   disable them and test again.
 * The best way to confirm if the issue is caused by a **theme or plugin conflict**
   is to create a **new blank page** with **only** the wpDataTables shortcode and
   see if the table loads.
   If it still doesn’t load, please try the following:
 * wpDataTables works on a **WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)** principle —
   meaning the table or chart should look and behave the same both in the back-end
   preview and on the front-end.
   If it looks or behaves differently on the front-
   end (e.g., missing features, broken filters, or console errors), that typically
   indicates interference from another plugin, your theme, or a page builder.
 * Here’s what to do next:
    1. Switch to a **default WordPress theme** (like Twenty Twenty-Four) and test again.
    2. If the issue persists, **deactivate all other plugins** except wpDataTables 
       and reload the page.
    3. If the table now works correctly, **reactivate your plugins one by one**, refreshing
       after each activation, until the issue reappears.
 * This process will help you identify what’s causing the conflict.
 * Please let us know if you need further assistance.
 * Kind regards,
   Milos
    -  This reply was modified 7 months, 2 weeks ago by [Milos Jovanovic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/milosjovanovicwpdt/).
 *  Thread Starter [WebBasser](https://wordpress.org/support/users/webbasser/)
 * (@webbasser)
 * [7 months, 2 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-reinitialise-datatable-7/#post-18692811)
 * Hello Milos,
   Thank you for your assistance.
 * This is the free version of the program, and my first time working with it. Other
   that this error message, everything seems to work just fine.
 * Front end (when loaded) and back end are both functioning properly.
 * I created a new page, removed all of the headers, footers, widgets etc., put 
   in only the wpdatatable shortcode, and still have that error message.
 * Will try deactivating plugins and switching themes a little later (off hours).
 * I’ll keep you posted!
 *  Plugin Support [Milos Jovanovic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/milosjovanovicwpdt/)
 * (@milosjovanovicwpdt)
 * [7 months, 1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-reinitialise-datatable-7/#post-18704405)
 * Hey there,
 * Thanks for the update and for testing with a blank page to confirm that both 
   the back-end and front-end load correctly otherwise.
 * Since the “Cannot reinitialise DataTable” warning still appears even on a clean
   page, it indicates that something on the site is still trying to initialize the
   same table a second time. This can sometimes happen if a theme or page builder
   script automatically targets all HTML tables on the page and applies the DataTables
   jQuery library to them again.
 * Once you have a chance to test by temporarily switching to a default WordPress
   theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) and deactivating other plugins, that should help
   confirm whether this is the case.
 * If the issue disappears after those tests, please note which plugin or theme 
   seems to trigger it so we can document it and check if we can advise on a possible
   workaround or solution from our end.
 * Kind regards,
   Milos
    -  This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by [Milos Jovanovic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/milosjovanovicwpdt/).

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

The topic ‘Cannot reinitialise DataTable’ is closed to new replies.

 * ![](https://ps.w.org/wpdatatables/assets/icon-128x128.gif?rev=3010404)
 * [wpDataTables - WordPress Data Table, Dynamic Tables & Table Charts Plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpdatatables/)
 * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpdatatables/#faq)
 * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wpdatatables/)
 * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wpdatatables/active/)
 * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wpdatatables/unresolved/)
 * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wpdatatables/reviews/)

 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Milos Jovanovic](https://wordpress.org/support/users/milosjovanovicwpdt/)
 * Last activity: [7 months, 1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cannot-reinitialise-datatable-7/#post-18704405)
 * Status: resolved