One of the most common errors that you’ll encounter when working on a site is a CSS file not loading properly or not loading at all.
Even if you already have everything in place, there are times when it still doesn’t load. The fixes for these errors may be easy, but why is a site not loading the CSS file?
A site may not load the CSS file due to browser caching. It’s the most common cause and is the easiest to fix because you only need to remove the cache from your browser. Yet, there are times when an invalid line of code or conflict with other themes and plugins can also make the CSS file unreadable.
This article will go through the most common reasons why a site isn’t loading the CSS file. We’ll also provide you with easy ways to troubleshoot these errors and how you can validate your code.
Why Is the CSS File Not Loading?
It can be troublesome for anyone to realize that their site isn’t loading the CSS file because there are several reasons it may happen.
Sometimes, it can be as simple as the browser cache, but it can also come from an invalid CSS code, requiring more complex troubleshooting.
Browser Caching
One of the most common reasons why your site isn’t loading the CSS file is caching. Most web hosting services today use different levels of caching that make websites load faster.
The most common way to cache a website is to take a “snapshot” of the static files, preventing the same files from loading again every time you visit a site or page.
Doing so reduces the time the server needs to reload all the elements on a page, which effectively reduces loading times.
If you’ve made changes with a CSS file or you’ve added a new file, it may not load immediately because of the caching service.
There are aggressive caching services that may take days before they fetch another “snapshot” of the page, which may cause the CSS file to seem like it’s not loading.
The easiest way to fix this issue is to use a different browser – or open an incognito window – then open your site.
You may also want to switch to another internet connection to ensure that your site will load fresh.
Related Reading: Best WordPress Caching Plugins
Invalid CSS Code
A CSS code needs proper formatting to allow the browser to read it. A single error in the code can make the whole file “unreadable” for browsers, making it crucial for you to have the proper CSS codes.
Here are some of the most common mistakes that developers make when writing CSS codes:
- The use of colon and semicolon – when writing codes with values – font-size: 17px; – be sure to include a colon (:) before the value and a semicolon (;) after the value. Without either of these, the whole CSS file may not load properly or may not load at all.
- The use of whitespaces – CSS isn’t too sensitive when it comes to whitespaces; it’ll still load properly even with excessive use of spaces or tabs. However, there are instances where the use of whitespace can prevent the whole CSS file from loading. For example, font-size: 17px; will load but font-size: 17 px; will not.
- The use of open/close brackets – you need an open bracket right after the CSS selector, but it should also have a closing bracket after the values, which many developers often miss.
- Conflict with other plugins or themes – if you’re using a WordPress site, every theme and plugin you have will use a different CSS file. Each will have different CSS selectors, which can cause conflicts and prevent the CSS file from loading. Instead of going through individual codes to find a conflicting CSS selector, it would be best to disable every plugin and then activate them individually to determine which causes the issue.
If you suspect that there’s an issue with the CSS file you have on your site, you can use a CSS validator tool to check whether you have a valid CSS code or not. One of the tools that we’d recommend is validator -it’s free and easy to use.
Conclusion: Why Is My Site Not Loading the CSS File?
There are several reasons why your site isn’t loading the CSS file, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong with the code.
Although it happens, it’s best to start working on the easiest fix. It’ll save you a lot of time and may even prevent you from going through unnecessary steps to fix it.
You may also want to consider using a CSS validator to ensure that your CSS file doesn’t have an error that may prevent it from loading.
And, if you’re writing your CSS codes, ensure that you’re using the proper open and closing brackets for it.
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