Often if jQuery is loaded with <strong>async</strong> or <strong>defer</strong> it can break some jQuery functions, specifically inline scripts which require jQuery to be loaded before the scripts are run.  <strong><em>Sometimes</em></strong> choosing a different method (<strong>async</strong> or <strong>defer</strong>) will work, otherwise it may be necessary to exclude jQuery from having <strong>async</strong> or <strong>defer</strong> applied.