Flash Sale:75% Off Hosting + Free DomainEnds in13h47m14sView Plans
Hostvento logoHostvento
Get Started

Why your WordPress theme is not showing

You installed a theme, but your site looks the same or looks broken. This guide lists the usual causes and fixes.

WordPress2 min read13 steps

What is a theme?

A theme is the set of files that controls how your site looks. It sets the colors, fonts and layout. You can switch themes without losing your posts.

Fix 1: Did you activate it?

Installing a theme is not the same as turning it on.

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to Appearance and then Themes.
  3. Find your new theme.
  4. Click Activate.
  5. Open your site in a new tab.

Fix 2: Clear the cache

A cache is a saved copy of your pages that makes them load faster. Sometimes it keeps showing the old design.

  1. Clear the cache in your caching plugin.
  2. Clear your browser cache, or open the site in a private window.
  3. If you use a content delivery service, clear its cache too.

Fix 3: Check the upload

A theme upload fails if the file is wrong. Make sure you upload the theme's zip file. Some downloads contain a zip inside a zip. Unzip the first one on your computer and upload the inner zip.

Also check the folder name in wp-content/themes. The theme folder must hold files like style.css and index.php straight inside it. If they sit in another folder inside it, WordPress cannot see the theme.

Fix 4: Look at the error message

If WordPress says "The package could not be installed" or "style.css is missing", the theme file is damaged or not a real theme. Download it again from the source.

If the upload says the file is too large, your server limits upload size. Upload the theme through File Manager or FTP instead. FTP is a way to copy files to your server.

  1. Unzip the theme on your computer.
  2. Open File Manager in your control panel.
  3. Go to wp-content/themes.
  4. Upload the theme folder.
  5. Go back to Appearance and Themes and activate it.

Fix 5: Check for a child theme

A child theme borrows from a parent theme. If the parent is missing, the child will not show. Install the parent theme too.

Fix 6: Check the site address

Go to Settings and then General. Make sure both addresses are right. A wrong address can load styles from the wrong place.

Fix 7: Page builders and custom CSS

A page builder or custom code may override your theme. Turn off page builder plugins briefly to test. Also check the Additional CSS box under Appearance and Customize.

Tip: Back up your site before you switch themes. If you are stuck, open a support ticket.

Quick recap

  • Activate the theme after you install it.
  • Clear every cache.
  • Check the upload file and folder layout.
  • Install the parent theme if you use a child theme.