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Learn how to disable AJAX submission in Contact Form 7 using a simple code snippet. Follow this guide for a smooth WordPress form experience.
How to Disable AJAX Submission in Contact Form 7
Disabling AJAX submission in Contact Form 7 is a common request among WordPress users who want more control over how their forms behave after submission. If you’re wondering how to disable AJAX submission in Contact Form 7, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re debugging a plugin conflict, improving form behavior, or simply prefer the traditional non-AJAX submission method, this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step — and yes, it’s easier than you think.
In this article, we’ll not only show you the exact code to use, but also explain why disabling AJAX might be necessary, what the pros and cons are, and how it impacts your website performance and user experience.
What is AJAX Submission in Contact Form 7?
Before jumping into how to disable it, let’s first understand what AJAX submission really means.
AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a technique used to send and receive data from the server asynchronously — without refreshing the page. Contact Form 7 uses AJAX by default for form submissions to give users a seamless experience.
So, when a visitor submits a form on your site, AJAX ensures that:
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The page doesn’t reload
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Form validation and messages appear instantly
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The form feels faster and smoother
Sounds good, right? Then why would anyone want to disable AJAX submission in Contact Form 7?
Why Disable AJAX Submission?
Despite the modern feel of AJAX, there are valid reasons to switch back to traditional form submission. Some of the most common include:
1. Debugging Purposes
When debugging form submissions or plugin conflicts, non-AJAX (traditional) submissions make it easier to see what’s going wrong by observing redirects and error messages.
2. Plugin Conflicts
Some plugins, especially caching or JavaScript-heavy tools, may conflict with Contact Form 7’s AJAX behavior. Disabling it can resolve many such conflicts.
3. Custom Redirects After Submission
With AJAX, custom redirection after form submission becomes more complex. If you want to redirect users to a thank-you page or a custom URL after form submission, disabling AJAX can simplify that process.
4. Better Tracking with Google Analytics
Certain analytics or event tracking setups (like tag-based triggers in Google Tag Manager) work more reliably with traditional (non-AJAX) form submissions.
How to Disable AJAX Submission in Contact Form 7
Now let’s talk about how to disable AJAX submission in Contact Form 7 the right way.
Luckily, you don’t need to install any extra plugin or edit the core plugin files. All you need is to add a small code snippet to your theme’s functions.php file.
add_filter( 'wpcf7_load_js', '__return_false' );
Where to Paste This Code:
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Go to your WordPress dashboard.
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Navigate to:
Appearance > Theme File Editor. -
On the right sidebar, find and click on
functions.phpunder your active theme. -
Paste the above code at the end of the file.
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Click Update File to save changes.
That’s it! Once added, Contact Form 7 will stop loading its JavaScript file responsible for AJAX functionality, and the forms will now submit via regular HTTP post (traditional method).
Note: Always create a backup or use a child theme before editing functions.php. A small mistake can bring your site down.
How This Impacts the User Experience
Disabling AJAX might sound like a step backward, but it doesn’t necessarily harm the user experience. In fact, in some cases, it enhances reliability and helps ensure that the form works as expected.
Here are a few pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros:
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Better compatibility with third-party plugins
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Easier to track form submissions
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Simplified redirection after submit
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Fewer chances of JavaScript errors interrupting submission
Cons:
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Page reloads on submission
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Slightly less “modern” feel
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Slower perceived speed compared to AJAX
If your site heavily relies on page speed and real-time feedback, keep AJAX enabled. Otherwise, disabling it may solve a lot of your form-related headaches.
Alternatives to Disabling AJAX
Sometimes, users want to fix issues with AJAX but aren’t sure whether to disable it completely. If you’re unsure, consider these alternatives:
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Fix JavaScript Conflicts: Use browser dev tools to find JavaScript errors and fix them.
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Try a Different Theme: Sometimes, your theme scripts interfere with AJAX. Try switching to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
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Use a Plugin: Some plugins can customize Contact Form 7 behavior without writing code.
Testing Your Form After Disabling AJAX
After adding the code snippet, be sure to test your form to ensure everything works as expected. Here’s how:
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Fill out your form as a regular user.
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Click Submit.
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You should see the page reload and a success/failure message.
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If using redirection, the page should navigate accordingly.
If you don’t see any behavior changes, clear your cache or check if your theme is actually active.
FAQs About Disabling AJAX in CF7
Will this affect my existing forms?
No, it won’t break your forms. They’ll still function, but the behavior will change from AJAX to traditional submission.
Can I enable it again later?
Yes, simply remove the code from your functions.php file and AJAX will work again.
Is there a plugin to control this?
As of now, there’s no official plugin just to toggle AJAX in Contact Form 7, but some advanced form control plugins may offer similar features.
Best Practices When Working With Contact Form 7
To get the best out of Contact Form 7, here are a few extra tips:
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Always use a child theme for code edits.
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Regularly update the plugin to stay secure.
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Use reCAPTCHA or hCaptcha to protect your forms from spam.
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Avoid using too many fields — keep forms clean and simple.
External Helpful Resources
Here are some official and community-recommended resources to help you further:
Contact Form 7 Official Documentation
How to Use Custom JavaScript in CF7