plugin development - $_SESSION inside php function executed by AJAX

I am defining $_SESSION['session_test'] from $_POST['reason'] I get from AJAX call.

Inside of this function, $_SESSION['session_test'] does get defined, and I get desired echo result.

add_action('wp_ajax_return_reason', array( __CLASS__ , 'select_return_reason'));
static function select_return_reason() {

        $_SESSION['session_test'] = $_POST['reason'];
        echo "REASON: " . $_SESSION['session_test'];
        echo "<br>";

        wp_die();
    }

But, when I refresh page and try to echo $_SESSION['session_test'] in some other function below this one, it's empty - I get NULL.

add_action('woocommerce_after_cart_table', array( __CLASS__ , 'display_returned_items'));
static function display_returned_items() {
        echo "Testing: " .  $_SESSION['session_test'];
    }

Why $_SESSION['session_test'] value is available/defined only inside function which is executed by AJAX?

My session_start(); is on the top of the php file, right after the <?php opening tag.

Please let me know if I should provide more info. Thanks.

I am defining $_SESSION['session_test'] from $_POST['reason'] I get from AJAX call.

Inside of this function, $_SESSION['session_test'] does get defined, and I get desired echo result.

add_action('wp_ajax_return_reason', array( __CLASS__ , 'select_return_reason'));
static function select_return_reason() {

        $_SESSION['session_test'] = $_POST['reason'];
        echo "REASON: " . $_SESSION['session_test'];
        echo "<br>";

        wp_die();
    }

But, when I refresh page and try to echo $_SESSION['session_test'] in some other function below this one, it's empty - I get NULL.

add_action('woocommerce_after_cart_table', array( __CLASS__ , 'display_returned_items'));
static function display_returned_items() {
        echo "Testing: " .  $_SESSION['session_test'];
    }

Why $_SESSION['session_test'] value is available/defined only inside function which is executed by AJAX?

My session_start(); is on the top of the php file, right after the <?php opening tag.

Please let me know if I should provide more info. Thanks.

• plugin-development
• ajax
• session

Share Improve this question asked Nov 12, 2018 at 10:51 Tahi ReuTahi Reu 30811 silver badge1414 bronze badges

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1 Answer 1

Sorted by: Reset to default 1

Wrapping this line inside if statement solved the problem:

if(!isset($_SESSION['session_test'])) {
    $_SESSION['session_test'] = $_POST['reason'];
}

I thought select_return_reason(){...} function which is holding this line was executing only by AJAX, not on each page load.