General
Is the plugin free?
Yes. Essential Elements is free on WordPress.org with four modules: Scroll to Top, Progress Bar, Reading Time and Custom Scroll Bar. Essential Elements Pro adds the Announcement Bar, Click to Chat and Content Protection.
Will it slow down my site?
No. A module that’s switched off loads no files at all. Enabled modules load a small stylesheet and, where needed, a small plain JavaScript file with no jQuery. Scroll handling is throttled. Reading Time only loads its styles where reading time is shown.
Does it collect any data?
No. Essential Elements doesn’t track visitors, set cookies or contact external services. In Pro, the Announcement Bar remembers a visitor’s "close" in their own browser storage, and nothing is sent anywhere.
Is it compatible with my theme?
It works with block themes and classic themes, because all output is added through standard WordPress hooks. The Pro Announcement Bar uses the wp_body_open hook for top bars, which all modern themes support. On older themes without it, the bar is still shown, as a fixed bar.
Does it work with page builders?
Yes. The modules work site-wide whatever builder you use, and the [esse_reading_time] shortcode can go in any builder’s shortcode or text widget.
Is it translation-ready?
Yes. Every string is translatable, and reading time numbers are formatted for your site language.
Which modules are on after I install it?
None. Every module starts switched off, so your site doesn’t change until you turn something on in Essentials → Modules.
Modules not showing
I switched a module on but don’t see it on my site. Check, in order:
- Clear your caches. Page caching plugins, your host’s cache and CDNs can serve an old copy of the page. Purge them after changing settings.
- Check the module’s targeting. The Progress Bar’s Show On, Reading Time’s Post Types, and the Pro modules’ Display section all limit where a module appears.
- Check visibility conditions. Scroll to Top only appears after the Show After distance, and may be hidden on mobile. Pro modules can be limited to desktop or mobile. Click to Chat can follow business hours.
- Check for a theme conflict. Temporarily switch to a default theme such as Twenty Twenty-Five. If the module appears, your theme is hiding or covering it, often with a higher
z-index.
The module’s settings page is missing from the menu. Module settings pages only appear in the Essentials menu while the module is switched on.
Switching a module on didn’t stick. The toggle saves instantly. If it flips back on its own, the save failed, usually because your login session expired. Reload the page and try again.
Reading Time
It shows on posts but not pages or products. Tick those types under Post Types in the Reading Time settings.
It doesn’t appear in my blog listing. Switch Archives on. If your theme’s listing shows neither the excerpt nor the content, add the Reading Time block to the theme’s Query Loop instead.
It appears twice. The module is adding it automatically and you’ve added the block or shortcode. Remove one, or untick that post type in the module.
Is the count right for my language?
Yes. Word counting works in every script, including Bengali, Hindi and Arabic. Chinese and Japanese count each character as a word, since those languages don’t use spaces.
Settings
Can I copy my settings to another site?
Yes. Use Export Settings under Essentials → Settings, then Import Settings on the other site. See Settings, Import & Export.
What happens to my settings when I uninstall?
They’re kept unless Delete plugin data is switched on under Essentials → Settings. Updating, deactivating or re-activating never resets your settings.
Pro
Do I need the free plugin to run Pro?
Yes. Pro adds modules to Essential Elements, so the free plugin (1.3.0 or later) must be installed and active. If it isn’t, Pro shows a notice with a link to install, activate or update it.
Do the Pro modules stop working if my license expires?
No. The modules keep working. An active license gives you automatic updates and support.
Do the Pro modules work with page caching?
Yes. Announcement Bar end dates, countdowns and dismissals, and Click to Chat business hours, are checked in the visitor’s browser. The one exception is a future Announcement Bar start date: clear your page cache when the bar is due to start.
Why can’t I see Content Protection working?
By default it doesn’t apply to logged-in users who can edit posts. Test in a private window.
Click to Chat overlaps my Scroll to Top button.
It shouldn’t. When both are in the same corner, Click to Chat moves above Scroll to Top automatically. If you use another plugin’s back-to-top button, raise Distance From Bottom in the Click to Chat settings.
How do I activate or move my license?
See License Activation.
What’s your refund policy?
Every plan has a 14-day, 100% money-back guarantee.
Still stuck?
Free plugin users can post in the WordPress.org support forum. Pro customers can open a support ticket. Please include your WordPress and PHP versions, the plugin versions, your theme, and the steps that cause the problem.