Wordpress altering my custom query, How to fix it?

Question

I am querying for most popular posts by custom view count by using the custom query below,

<?php 
   $mostpopular_args=array(
       'post_type'          => 'post',
       'orderby'            => 'meta_value_num',
       'meta_key'           => 'view_count',
       'posts_per_page'     => 2,
   );
   <?php $mostpopular_pick = new WP_Query($mostpopular_args); ?>
?>

However, this is not working. As suggested by an expert, I ran $mostpopular_pick->requestand it seems that wordpress is ordering posts by 'menu_order' instead of meta_value_num. Here is what it returned,

SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS wp_posts.ID
FROM wp_posts
INNER JOIN wp_postmeta ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_postmeta.post_id)
WHERE 1=1
  AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post'
  AND (wp_posts.post_status = 'publish'
       OR wp_posts.post_status = 'private')
  AND (wp_postmeta.meta_key = 'view_count')
GROUP BY wp_posts.ID
ORDER BY wp_posts.menu_order,
         wp_postmeta.meta_value DESC LIMIT 0,
                                           2

And also, though I limited post count to 2, it is still returning 4 posts.

Whats going on, any Idea?

Answer 1

Your code should work in theory. Your failure is not caused by the code in your question but rather due to external factors. Something else is causing this failure

DEBUGGING THIS ISSUE

• Turn on debug and check for obvious errors and warnings. This should be a good indication on the soundness of all your code on a particular page

• Clear all caches, not just browser cache, but any cache plugin

• Disable all your plugins and switch to a bundled theme. Check if the error persist. Re-enable your plugins one by one and test after each one. This should give you an indication if a plugin is causing your issue. Lastly, re-enable your theme. By now you should have a clear indication where your problem is coming from.

• Regarding the amount of posts and the difference, check for stickies.

Answer 2

I have checked this and it works fine. Check meta_key or check custom loop if you use it elsewhere before this and reset its post data

<?php   $array = array(
    'post_type'=>'post',
    'posts_per_page'=>4,
    'order'=>'DESC',
    'orderby'=>'meta_value_num',
    'meta_key'=>'_count-views_all'); 

$the_query = new WP_Query($array);
if ( $the_query->have_posts() ) {
    while ( $the_query->have_posts() ) {
        $the_query->the_post();
     //Post loop started
}}

?>