How to Fix WordPress Favicon Issue: Step-by-Step Guide
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How to Fix WordPress Favicon Issue: Step-by-Step Guide

Mike0

Table of Contents

Introduction

A favicon is a little icon that appears in the tab of the browser. It makes it easier for people to find your website. Most sites use a logo or a small brand symbol as a favicon. In WordPress, this icon is often called the site icon.

If your WordPress favicon is not showing, you’re not alone. For WordPress users, this is a relatively common problem. Sometimes the favicon disappears, does not update, or fails to show in certain browsers.

A missing favicon can hurt your branding and user experience. Visitors may not recognize your site easily without the icon. In some cases, it may also affect trust or credibility.

The good news is that most of the time, this issue is simple to resolve. We’ll define a favicon and address typical problems with this guide.

What Is a Favicon in WordPress?

The small image that shows up in the browser tab is called a favicon. It also shows in bookmarks, history, and mobile tabs. This icon helps users find your site faster while browsing.

In WordPress, the favicon is called a Site Icon. You can upload it from your dashboard by following this path:

  • Go to Appearance > Customize
  • Click on Site Identity
  • Under Site Icon, upload your favicon.

WordPress recommends using a 512 x 512 pixel square image. PNG format works best, but JPEG is also accepted.

The favicon should:

  • At a small size, be distinct and easy to recognize.
  • Reflect your brand or logo
  • Load properly on all browsers

Despite uploading it, you may still face the error “WordPress favicon not showing.” This could be due to cache, format issues, or theme conflicts.

Common Reasons Why WordPress Favicon Is Not Showing

Sometimes, you upload a favicon in WordPress, but it still doesn’t show. It can feel overwhelming and annoying. It’s crucial to identify the root of the issue before attempting to resolve it.

Here are the most common reasons your favicon is not displaying in WordPress.

  1. Browser or Site Cache

One of the most common causes is caching. To speed up site loading, your browser saves outdated files. If the favicon has changed recently, your browser may still load the old one.

Also, caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache can block new favicon updates. Until the cache is cleared, your new favicon may not show.

  1. Wrong Image Format or Size

WordPress recommends using a square image sized 512×512 pixels. The favicon may not show up if the image is too small.

Also, if the format is unsupported, like SVG, the browser might ignore it. PNG or JPEG works best. Using the wrong file type can lead to a WordPress favicon error.

  1. Theme Conflicts

Some WordPress themes override default favicon settings. Even if you upload the site icon, the theme may block it.

Custom themes may add their own favicon code in the header. This can cause the WordPress favicon to go missing or not update.

  1. CDN or DNS Propagation Delay

Changes take time when using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) such as Cloudflare. The favicon might not update right away due to cached files across the CDN.

Also, if you’ve moved your site or updated DNS settings, it can take hours to reflect changes.

  1. Incorrect Upload Path or Broken Link

Sometimes, the favicon file is uploaded to the wrong folder. The browser cannot locate the file if it is missing or the path is not accurate.

This often results in a favicon not showing on browser tab WordPress issue.

  1. Missing Site Icon in Customizer

Many users skip uploading a site icon in the Customizer. If this step is missed, WordPress will not display any favicon at all.

It might look like your WordPress site icon is not working, but in reality, it was never added.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix WordPress Favicon Issues (Basic Fixes)

Don’t worry if your favicon is not visible. Most WordPress favicon issues are easy to fix. You can solve them by following a few simple steps.

Below is a complete step-by-step guide to fix common problems. Work your way down from the top until your favicon appears as it should.

Step 1: Clear Your Browser Cache

Sometimes, your browser shows an old version of your site. This includes the old or missing favicon.

Here’s how to clear your browser cache:

  • Open your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge)
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac)
  • Select the cached files and photos.
  • Click Clear data

Then refresh your webpage. In many cases, this will fix the favicon display.

Step 2: Clear WordPress Site Cache

If you use a caching plugin, it may prevent updates. Your favicon might be updated, but the plugin still shows the old version.

To clear WordPress site cache:

  • Open your WordPress dashboard and log in.
  • Navigate to your caching plugin (e.g., W3 Total Cache, WP Super Cache).
  • Locate the option to erase all caches or clear the cache.
  • Click it to reset your site cache

Reload your site again. This can fix the WordPress favicon not showing problem.

Step 3: Re-upload the Favicon in Customizer

Sometimes the image upload may have failed. Or, it was uploaded in the wrong size or format.

To fix this:

  • Open your WordPress dashboard and select Appearance > Customize.
  • Click on Site Identity
  • Under Site Icon, remove the old favicon (if any)
  • Upload a new image:
    • Recommended size: 512×512 pixels
    • Format: PNG or JPG

After uploading, click Publish.

This ensures your favicon is added the right way. Now see if it shows up in the tab of the browser.

Step 4: Try a Different Browser or Device

Sometimes, your browser has stored the favicon for too long. To test if the issue is local:

  • Use a different browser to access your website (for example, Firefox if you’re using Chrome).
  • Or give it a try on your tablet or phone.

If the favicon appears there, the problem is likely browser caching. Clearing cache again should help.

Step 5: Check WordPress Theme Settings

Some themes let you upload a favicon separately. Check the theme’s options if you’re using a premium or custom theme.

  • Go to Theme Options or Theme Panel in your dashboard
  • Look for a tab like Header, Logo, or Favicon
  • Upload the favicon from there

This helps if your theme overrides WordPress settings. A missing image here may lead to the WordPress site icon not working issue.

Step 6: Disable Favicon Plugins (If Installed)

If you’re using a favicon plugin, it might conflict with the default WordPress method. Plugins can sometimes block or overwrite favicons.

Try this:

  • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  • Deactivate any favicon-related plugin
  • Clear the cache on your website once more.
  • Reload your webpage.

If your favicon appears, the plugin was causing the issue.

Step 7: Wait and Refresh

Sometimes, even after doing everything right, the favicon takes time to appear. This is common with browser or server delays.

Wait for 10–15 minutes, then refresh your site. Try using Ctrl + F5 to force reload.

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By following these steps, most favicon issues will be fixed. If it still doesn’t work, don’t worry. We’ll share advanced fixes to cover more technical problems.

Advanced Fixes for WordPress Favicon Issues

If basic fixes didn’t solve the problem, don’t worry. Some favicon issues need a deeper solution. These advanced steps will help you fix the problem fully.

Follow the steps carefully. You don’t need coding skills for most of them.

Step 1: Clear CDN Cache (If You’re Using Cloudflare or Others)

If you’re using a CDN, it may show old cached files. Your new favicon won’t appear until the CDN updates.

How to fix this using Cloudflare:

  • Open your Cloudflare dashboard and log in.
  • Click on Caching in the sidebar.
  • Click on Purge Everything

This deletes all of the CDN’s cached files. Reload your site and check the favicon again.

Note: If you’re using another CDN (like BunnyCDN or StackPath), follow a similar process.

Step 2: Manually Add Favicon in header.php

If WordPress settings fail, you can add the favicon manually. This is done using a small code snippet.

Steps:

  1. Go to Appearance > Theme File Editor
  2. Open the file called header.php
  3. Just before the closing </head> tag, add this line:

<link rel=”icon” href=”https://yourdomain.com/wp-content/uploads/favicon.png” type=”image/png”>

Replace the link with the full URL of your favicon file.

  1. Click Update File

Go to your website. The browser tab should now display your favicon.

Step 3: Use a Favicon Generator Plugin

If manual fixes are hard, use a favicon plugin. These plugins produce favicons for every browser and device.

Popular plugin options:

  • Favicon by RealFaviconGenerator
  • All in One Favicon

Steps to use:

  • Go to Plugins > Add New
  • Search and install the plugin
  • Upload your favicon in the plugin settings
  • Save changes and clear your cache

This often solves complex favicon display issues.

Step 4: Use a Child Theme When Editing Files

If you change header.php, always use a child theme. Otherwise, your changes will be lost during theme updates.

Use a plugin like:

  • Child Theme Configurator

This protects the code of your favicon while it is being updated.

Favicon Display Optimization for All Devices & Browsers

Fixing your favicon is not the final step. You should also make sure it works across all browsers and devices. Different platforms may load favicons in different ways. If it’s not set up properly, some users may not see it.

Here’s how to make sure your favicon appears everywhere.

Use the Right File Formats

Not all browsers support every image format. Use common and widely supported formats.

Recommended favicon formats:

  • .png – best for modern browsers
  • .ico – for old browsers like Internet Explorer
  • .svg – for sharp icons (not supported by all browsers)

If you want full coverage, use both .png and .ico formats.

Create Multiple Icon Sizes

Some devices require favicons in different sizes. For example, mobile devices or app shortcuts may need different resolutions.

Use a favicon generator tool like:

  • https://realfavicongenerator.net

It creates favicons in many sizes for:

  • Desktop browsers
  • Android and iOS devices
  • Windows tiles

Upload the generated files to your site and add the code they provide to your <head> section.

Test on Different Browsers

Once your favicon is live, test it on:

  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Safari (desktop and mobile)

Also, open your site on different devices:

  • Android phones
  • iPhones
  • Tablets

This guarantees that users will see your favicon regardless of how they get to your website.

Use Favicon Checker Tools

Tools like Real Favicon Generator Checker can scan your favicon setup. They show if your icon works correctly across all platforms.

Testing your favicon is a quick step but very helpful.

Prevention Tips to Avoid Favicon Issues

Fixing your favicon is great, but preventing future issues is even better. Small changes and regular checks can help your WordPress favicon stay visible without problems.

Below are some simple ways to avoid future favicon errors.

  1. Use a Reliable Theme
    Not all themes handle favicons correctly. Use a well-coded, trusted theme. Avoid outdated or unsupported themes that override WordPress settings.
  2. Keep WordPress and Plugins Updated
    Updates fix bugs and improve site features. Favicon issues could be caused by an outdated version of WordPress or a plugin. Always keep your system up to date.
  3. Clear Cache After Changes
    Whenever you update your favicon, make sure to clear your:
  • Browser cache
  • WordPress cache
  • CDN cache (if using services like Cloudflare)

This helps the new favicon appear faster across all devices.

  1. Avoid Unnecessary Favicon Plugins
    WordPress has a built-in favicon feature. Extra plugins may create conflicts or errors. Use a plugin only when absolutely needed.
  2. Monitor Your Favicon with Tools
    Use tools like:
  • Google PageSpeed Insights
  • Real Favicon Generator Checker
    These tools help ensure your favicon is still working correctly.

Conclusion

Despite their small size, favicons are quite important to branding. A missing or broken favicon can hurt your site’s image.

We covered all possible causes of favicon problems. You also learned how to fix and optimize them step by step.

You now know what to do if your WordPress favicon is not appearing. Make sure your site icon functions on all browsers and devices by following these guidelines.

Still stuck? Drop your question in the comments or contact our support team at WooHelpDesk or call us at +1 888 602 0119 (US & Canada) We’re here to help!

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