How to add a cookie banner to WordPress
Add a cookie banner to WordPress with the Savira plugin. Install it, paste your licence key, publish your banner and check it shows on your site.
By the Savira teamPublished Last reviewed 5 min read
What you need before you start
Adding a cookie banner to WordPress with Savira takes a licence key and a plugin. Copy your key from Savira, install the plugin, paste the key into WordPress and publish your banner. Once connected, consent decisions are captured automatically and sync in real time, with no code changes needed.
You will need a Savira account with a banner set up, admin access to your WordPress site, and the Savira plugin file which is supplied in your onboarding email.
Step by step setup
Step 1: Copy your licence key
Log in to Savira and go to Settings > API. Copy your licence key and keep it handy, because you will paste it into WordPress in a moment.
Step 2: Install and activate the plugin
In your WordPress admin, go to the plugins page, add a new plugin, and upload the Savira plugin file. Then select Activate.
Step 3: Paste your licence key
In WordPress, go to Settings > Savira. Paste the licence key into the field. Make sure there are no extra spaces before or after it, then click Save.
Step 4: Publish your banner
Back in Savira, check that your banner is set to Published. Once it is live, your WordPress site will show it to visitors. Changes can take a minute to appear.
How to check your banner is working
Open your site in a private or incognito browser window, so you see it the way a new visitor would. The banner should appear. Choose an option, reload the page and check that the banner respects your choice.
How script blocking works
The plugin can hold back third-party scripts, such as analytics and advertising tags, until a visitor makes a choice. Before you rely on this, test it. Reject the banner in a private window, then check the browser’s network activity to confirm the tags do not load.
If you are not sure which tags your site uses, a free website privacy scan is a quick place to start.
If your banner is not appearing
Most problems come down to one of three things:
The plugin is not activated in WordPress.
The banner is not set to Published in Savira.
The licence key has extra spaces around it.
Fix any of these, save again, then refresh your site or clear your browser cache. Changes can take a minute to show, so wait briefly before you test again.
If you generate a new licence key
The old key stops working straight away, and your banner will disappear from your site. Copy the new key from Settings > API in Savira, paste it into Settings > Savira in WordPress and click Save to reconnect.
Still stuck?
Check the troubleshooting section in your Savira dashboard, or open Help & Resources from the Savira sidebar. If you are still unsure whether your site needs a banner at all, read our guide to cookie banners in Australia. For plugin details, see the WordPress integration page.
This is general information, not legal advice. Every business handles information a bit differently, so if you’re not sure how this applies to yours, it’s worth checking with a lawyer or privacy adviser.
How do I add a cookie banner to WordPress?
Where do I find my Savira licence key?
Where do I find my Savira licence key?
Copy your licence key from Settings > API in your Savira dashboard, then paste it into Settings > Savira in WordPress. If you generate a new key later, the old one stops working straight away, so update WordPress as soon as you do.
What happens if I generate a new licence key?
Your banner stops appearing until you paste the new key into WordPress and click Save. Copy the new key from Settings > API, go to Settings > Savira in WordPress, paste it in and click Save to reconnect. Your banner should return once the page refreshes.
Why is my cookie banner not showing on WordPress?
Check that the plugin is activated, your banner is set to Published in Savira, and the licence key has no extra spaces. Save again, then refresh your site or clear your browser cache. Changes can take a minute to show, so wait briefly before testing again.
Do I need to edit code to add a cookie banner to WordPress?
No. The plugin is set up through the WordPress admin, so you do not need to change code or edit theme files. Once your licence key is connected, consent decisions are captured automatically and sync in real time.