When designing your WordPress website, you’ve likely spent time picking the perfect colors and fonts to reflect your brand. But what happens when your site doesn’t display the colors and fonts you chose? For WordPress beginners, this issue can be both confusing and frustrating. Fear not—this guide explains why this happens and provides practical steps to resolve it.
Why Isn’t WordPress Displaying Your Colors and Fonts?
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand the potential causes behind this issue. Here are the most common reasons:
- Theme Conflicts: Some themes override custom styles with their default settings.
- CSS Caching: Cached CSS files may prevent changes from appearing on your live site.
- Plugin Conflicts: Certain plugins can override or block your style settings.
- Improper Customization: Editing styles incorrectly or using an incompatible method can lead to display issues.
- Browser Cache: Outdated cached files on your browser may display old versions of your site.
How to Fix WordPress Not Displaying Colors and Fonts
Follow these practical steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:
1. Check Your Theme Settings
Many WordPress themes have built-in customization options that can override your changes. To check:
- Go to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
- Look for options like Typography or Colors.
- Ensure your desired styles are applied here.
If your theme doesn’t allow full customization, consider switching to a more flexible theme, such as Astra or Divi. These themes have very cool features and will help you to achieve the desired design.
2. Clear Your Website Cache
Caching plugins, such as WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache, store older versions of your site. To fix this:
- Go to your caching plugin settings and click Clear Cache.
- If you’re using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare, clear the cache there as well.
3. Regenerate CSS Files
WordPress sometimes stores old CSS files that conflict with new changes. To regenerate:
- Navigate to Elementor > Tools (if you’re using Elementor).
- Click Regenerate CSS & Data.
4. Disable Conflicting Plugins
Plugins that control site styling, such as page builders or optimization tools, might interfere with your customizations. To identify conflicts:
- Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in your dashboard.
- Deactivate all plugins temporarily.
- Reactivate them one by one while checking if the issue persists.
5. Use Custom CSS Wisely
If you’re adding custom CSS manually, ensure it’s implemented correctly:
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
- Add your CSS code here to override theme defaults.
For example, to change font size:
body {
font-size: 16px;
}
6. Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins
Outdated WordPress core files, themes, or plugins can cause unexpected display issues. Always:
- Update your WordPress version under Dashboard > Updates.
- Update your theme and all installed plugins.
7. Clear Your Browser Cache
Your browser might display an outdated version of your site. To fix this:
- Press Ctrl + F5 (or Cmd + Shift + R on Mac) to refresh.
- Alternatively, clear your browser cache from the settings menu.
Preventing Future Style Issues
- Choose Reliable Themes: Opt for well-coded themes that offer robust customization options.
- Use Child Themes: When making significant changes, use a child theme to prevent updates from overwriting your customizations.
- Test Before Publishing: Use staging sites or preview changes before making them live.
- Back Up Regularly: Always back up your site before making significant updates or changes.
Conclusion
Fixing display issues with colors and fonts in WordPress doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By identifying the cause and applying these practical solutions, you’ll ensure your website looks exactly as you intended. If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with others or leave a comment below with your thoughts or additional tips.