Why WP External Links Opens External Links in Same Tab Despite Settings

You set WP External Links to open external links in new tab. You save settings. But links still open in same tab. That is frustrating because you want to keep visitors on your site.

A common issue is that another plugin or theme JavaScript overrides link behavior. Or your browser blocks popups. The plugin is not broken. Something is conflicting.

Why WP External Links Does Not Open New Tabs

WP External Links adds target=”_blank” to external links. Browsers respect this attribute. If links open in same tab, either attribute was not added, or JavaScript removed it. Another plugin may be manipulating links after page load. Theme JavaScript may have its own link handling.

This is not WP External Links being bad. JavaScript conflict is the problem.

The Most Common New Tab Failures

• Another plugin adds target=”_self” (overrides)
• Theme JavaScript removes target=”_blank”
• Browser extension blocks new tabs
• Ad blocker strips target attributes
• Cache plugin serves old link behavior

Check source code first.

How to Fix WP External Links New Tab Issue

1. View page source (Ctrl+U)
2. Search for external link HTML
3. Look for target=”_blank” in link code
4. If missing, plugin not adding attribute → re-save settings
5. If present but not working, JavaScript conflict
6. Temporarily disable other plugins to find conflict
7. Switch to default theme to test

Checking source code tells you where problem is.

How to Force External Links to Open in New Tab

Add this JavaScript to theme:

document.querySelectorAll('a[href^="http"]').forEach(link => {
if (!link.href.includes(window.location.hostname)) {
link.setAttribute('target', '_blank');
link.setAttribute('rel', 'noopener noreferrer');
}
});

This forces new tab regardless of plugin conflicts.

Alternative: Use Manual target=”_blank” for Important Links

For critical external links, add target=”_blank” manually in editor. Switch to HTML view. Add target=”_blank” to link code. This always works. No plugin needed.

Manual is reliable but time-consuming.

People Also Ask About WP External Links New Tab

Why do external links open in same tab despite plugin settings?

JavaScript conflict or attribute not added. Check source code first.

Should I stop using WP External Links?

Fix conflict or use manual target=”_blank” for important links.

Is WP External Links worse than Pretty Links for new tabs?

Pretty Links also adds target=”_blank”. Same potential conflicts.

Final Thoughts

If WP External Links does not open new tabs, check source code for target=”_blank”. If missing, re-save settings. If present but not working, find JavaScript conflict. External links will open in new tab.