Documentation
Get back to a working setup
Start with the message Gate House shows and the edition you have installed. Both Free and Pro include provider connection testing, coverage status and recovery tools.
In version 1.21.0 and later, open Gate House directly in the WordPress sidebar, then choose the tab named in this guide. Version 1.20.1 and earlier use Settings → Gate House.
In WordPress: Gate House → Diagnostics
Locked out? Jump to recovery instructions.
Read the reported problem
In Free, review Local storage and open Provider to check the connection. In Pro, also review Activity storage, Checks worth reviewing and any Protection Test results.
Retry the affected journey
Test corrections on staging, then try the full sign-in, registration or checkout journey from a private browser window. A passing provider test alone does not confirm that every form is protected.
The provider connection test fails — Free and Pro
Check that the provider, verification mode, key pair and hostname match. Save changes before completing a fresh challenge and selecting Run connection test. reCAPTCHA needs SiteVerify-compatible keys, not a Google Cloud API key. Keyless invisible checks do not need a provider connection test.
If the challenge cannot load, check browser extensions, consent settings, content security policy and script optimizers. Your host must also allow server verification requests. See human-check setup.
A legitimate visitor is blocked
With Free: note the form and error message, then review its check on Protection and its status on Coverage. If it uses an external provider, test that connection. Free totals cannot identify an individual blocked request.
With Pro: find the time, form and reason in Activity. Check the relevant Rules setting before changing limits. An account-abuse block can occur even after a passed CAPTCHA. A quarantined account needs review and restoration through Account cleanup.
For a storage error in either edition, ask your host to inspect the database and hosting logs. Pro users can download a diagnostic report; review it before sharing.
I upgraded, but Pro controls are missing
A license key alone does not add Pro code to Free. In Plugins → Installed Plugins, confirm that both Gate House and the separate Gate House Pro add-on are installed and active. Download the compatible Pro ZIP from your account, and resolve any version warning before testing again.
Keep the Free base active. Pro adds its controls to the existing Gate House screen. Follow the Free-to-Pro upgrade steps; if you have an older complete paid package, use the legacy migration instructions in that guide.
My license or automatic updates need attention
Free updates through WordPress.org and needs no Gate House account or license.
Pro: open License and review the message. Check your key, available site allowance and subscription in your account, then activate the license on this site for automatic Pro updates. A failed renewal has a short grace period. Expiry ends Pro updates and support after the paid term and grace period; installed local protection and cleanup keep working. Optional Cloud services require an active license.
I’m locked out: recovery through server access
Free and Pro: ask your host or administrator to temporarily add this to wp-config.php:
define('GATE_HOUSE_RECOVERY_MODE', true);This puts Gate House checks into observation. With Pro, it also suspends abuse enforcement, visitor allow/block rules and quarantine restrictions. Cleanup permits restoration, but not new quarantine or deletion. It does not erase saved rules or quarantine records. Native WordPress authentication still applies. Correct your settings, then remove the constant and test the affected journeys; saved protections and restrictions take effect again.
WP-CLI alternative: wp gate-house recover is available in both editions. It saves form verification and attempt-limit modes as Observe and clears temporary attack and checkout-continuity modes. Unlike the constant, it does not suspend Pro account-abuse, card-testing, disposable-email or visitor-rule enforcement, or quarantine restrictions. Re-enable the intended form protections manually after fixing the problem.
With Pro, wp gate-house status reports setup status and wp gate-house status --json returns the diagnostic report. These status commands are not included in Free. Recovery requires trusted server access; there is no public bypass URL.
Updating Free and Pro safely
Back up the site and test the update on staging. Update Free through Plugins → Installed Plugins. Keep the Pro add-on on a compatible release using licensed automatic updates or the Pro ZIP from your account. For a manual update to the same plugin, upload its new ZIP and choose Replace current with uploaded.
Do not uninstall first: optional uninstall cleanup can remove plugin data. Adding Pro is a separate installation, so keep Free installed and active. For an older complete paid package or an earlier Free folder, follow the installation and migration guide before switching packages.
Moving settings or supplying keys through server configuration
Pro settings transfer: under Diagnostics → Move settings to another site, choose Download settings without secrets. On the destination, review the exported file and import it in observation mode. Allow and block rules require a separate acknowledgement; review them carefully because those rules can still affect requests. Connect and test the provider, then review and enable the intended protections. Free does not include this export/import interface.
Provider keys in either edition: developers can supply GATE_HOUSE_SITE_KEY and GATE_HOUSE_SECRET_KEY as constants or environment variables. Pro also accepts GATE_HOUSE_LICENSE_KEY as a PHP constant. License keys are separate from provider keys.