WP_Styles::add was called incorrectly. The style with the handle… ? How To Fix It

If you are seeing the message “PHP Notice: Function WP_Styles::add was called incorrectly. The style with the handle 'enqueue_handle' was enqueued with dependencies that are not registered: 'enqueue_dependencies'. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.9.1.) in '.../file_location.php' on line xxx”, you are in the right place for a tested solution.

This WordPress notice began appearing after the WordPress 6.9.1 update.

The good news is that this message does not break your website. It is a notice intended for site administrators. However, if the script or style associated with the handle cannot function correctly without its dependency, it may still lead to functional issues elsewhere.

What Causes This Error

WordPress 6.9.1 introduced a validation check to confirm that dependencies exist when enqueuing a script or style handle. Previously, WordPress would silently ignore missing dependencies. Now, the system flags them to help site administrators identify potential stability issues.

In practical terms, the notice means that a theme or plugin is attempting to enqueue a script or style with a dependency that is not registered at the time of the request. The behavior may vary depending on context — such as whether the user is logged in or out, or whether the request originates from the front end or the editor.

From our troubleshooting experience, we found common causes include:

• AJAX-based requests that do not load all required scripts or styles
• Calling dependency handles from a different method or execution context
• Wrapping dependency registration inside conditional logic (for example, an if statement)

Below is a structured approach to resolving the issue.

The Solution

This notice occurs when a script or style is enqueued with dependencies that have not been registered during the current request. A practical approach is to verify that a dependency exists before attempting to enqueue it, as demonstrated below.

Before:

    
    if ( 'conditions_to_be_tested' ) {
        wp_enqueue_style( 'dependency_handle_id', 'dependency_file_path_and_name.css', array(), '1.0' );
    }
    wp_enqueue_style( 'enqueued_handle_id', 'enqueued_file_path_and_name.css', 'dependency_handle_id', '1.0' );
    
  

After:

    
    if ( 'conditions_to_be_tested' ) {
        wp_enqueue_style( 'dependency_handle_id', 'dependency_file_path_and_name.css', array(), '1.0' );
    }

    $wp_scripts = wp_scripts();
    $dependency_handle_id = array();
    if( isset( $wp_scripts->registered['dependency_handle_id'] ) && !empty($wp_scripts->registered['dependency_handle_id']) ) {
        $dependency_handle_id[] = 'dependency_handle_id';
    }
    wp_enqueue_style( 'enqueued_handle_id', 'enqueued_file_path_and_name.css', $dependency_handle_id, '1.0' );
    
  

Notice that the "after" block ensures that only registered dependencies are passed during enqueueing, preventing the notice from being triggered. Note that "wp_scripts()" returns the global varaiable so there is no need to make additional declarations - it will return a new instance of "WP_Scripts" class, if no dependencies yet.

How to Apply the Solution

This notice identifies the handle responsible for the issue and lists its missing dependencies. Because resolving it requires modifying code, this fix is intended for developers.

A quick search within the codebase for the reported handle often reveals which plugin or theme is responsible. If the missing dependency is not critical to functionality, the adjustment shown above may be sufficient.

If you are not the developer, contact the plugin or theme author through their official support channel so they can implement a proper and permanent fix.

Limitation of the Solution

This approach prevents the notice from appearing by bypassing dependencies that are not available during the request. However, it does not guarantee that the associated script or style will function correctly without those dependencies.

If a dependency is essential, skipping it may lead to further issues on the affected page.

To ensure reliable behavior, dependencies should be registered and loaded earlier in the request lifecycle. Avoid wrapping required dependencies inside conditional blocks or separating them into unrelated code sections. Instead, register and enqueue dependencies deliberately, within the same logical execution flow where they are required.

Preventing Future Errors

To reduce the likelihood of similar issues in the future:

• Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated
• Avoid installing multiple plugins that perform overlapping functions
• Use a staging environment to test updates before deploying to production
• Verify PHP and WordPress version compatibility before upgrading

Proactive maintenance significantly reduces emergency troubleshooting and unexpected compatibility conflicts.

FAQs