I solved this in Javascript. If you want to completely prevent it you should also do it server-side, because you can edit the widgets with Javascript disabled (try it out!). The different sidebars are checked when you drop widgets to them or away from them. If they become full, the background color changes and you … Read more
You can use the function is_active_widget . E.g.: function check_widget() { if( is_active_widget( ”, ”, ‘search’ ) ) { // check if search widget is used wp_enqueue_script(‘my-script’); } } add_action( ‘init’, ‘check_widget’ ); To load the script in the page where the widget is loaded only, you will have to add the is_active_widget() code, in … Read more
Great News, I’ve fixed it. Apologies for missing your gist in my initial comment and giving you an answer that you had already implemented. That’ll teach me to answer on my phone while on a train! Your use of ajaxstop is correct. Hell the JS for the most part is working correctly, you could see … Read more
Another solution is to add the columns setting back to the settings. function wpse126301_dashboard_columns() { add_screen_option( ‘layout_columns’, array( ‘max’ => 2, ‘default’ => 1 ) ); } add_action( ‘admin_head-index.php’, ‘wpse126301_dashboard_columns’ ); There is a related Trac ticket: #26354
When I started this answer it should be just a small note. Well, I failed. Sorry! Stay with me, there is a goody hidden deep down … How WordPress widgets are stored The list of widget is stored in an option named ‘sidebars_widgets’. A var_export() may give something like the following: array ( ‘wp_inactive_widgets’ => … Read more