I Switched Squarespace Templates and My Pages Disappeared

Why Do Pages Disappear After Switching Squarespace Templates?

Pages do not actually get deleted when you switch templates. Squarespace preserves all your content, but the new template may handle navigation, layouts, and page types differently. Understanding the root causes helps you fix the issue faster and prevents it from happening again.

Pages Moved to the Not Linked Section

The most common reason for "missing" pages is that they moved to the Not Linked section of your navigation panel. When a new template has a different navigation structure, Squarespace places pages that do not fit into Not Linked rather than deleting them. Open your Pages panel in the Squarespace editor and scroll down to the Not Linked section - your pages are likely sitting there.

Template Layout Incompatibilities

Different templates support different page layouts and content block configurations. A page that used a gallery layout specific to your old template may not render correctly on the new one. The page still exists, but its content blocks may appear collapsed, empty, or rearranged. Review each page individually and adjust the layout to match what the new template supports.

Index Pages and Collection Pages Behave Differently

Index pages - which combine multiple pages into a single scrolling layout - are template-specific on Squarespace 7.0. If your old template supported index pages and the new one does not, those index pages will not display. The individual sub-pages inside the index still exist, but you need to move them out of the index structure and into your main navigation. For broader template troubleshooting, our guide to Squarespace troubleshooting and issues covers common problems and fixes.

Custom CSS and Header/Footer Changes

Custom CSS is attached to the template, not to your Squarespace account. When you switch templates, all custom CSS resets. Headers and footers are also template-specific - they will revert to the new template's defaults. This does not cause pages to disappear, but it can make your site look broken or incomplete, which can feel like content is missing.

How to Recover Missing Pages After a Template Switch

Follow these steps in order to find and restore every missing page. Most recoveries take under 30 minutes, even for larger sites.

Step 1: Check the Not Linked Section

Log in to your Squarespace editor. Open the Pages panel on the left sidebar. Scroll below your Main Navigation and Footer sections to find Not Linked. Any pages that were displaced during the template switch will appear here. Drag them back into your Main Navigation to restore them.

Step 2: Review Each Page for Layout Issues

Open every page in the editor and check that content blocks display correctly. If a page appears blank, the content blocks may need to be reconfigured for the new template's layout options. Add or rearrange sections as needed. If you had specific page headers or banners, you may need to recreate them using the new template's design options.

Step 3: Rebuild Custom CSS

If you used custom CSS on your old template, you will need to rewrite it for the new template. Go to Design > Custom CSS and add your styles back. Keep in mind that class names and element structures differ between templates, so your old CSS may not work without modifications. For help with template-specific styling, our guide to changing templates on Squarespace covers the full process.

Step 4: Restore Navigation Structure

Rebuild your navigation menu by dragging pages into the correct order within the Pages panel. If your old template supported dropdown menus and the new one handles them differently, you may need to reorganize your page hierarchy. Create folder structures in the navigation panel to group related pages.

How to Prevent Pages From Disappearing During a Template Switch

Prevention is far easier than recovery. These steps will save you significant time and stress on future template changes.

Always Use Preview Mode First

On Squarespace 7.0, go to Design > Template and click Preview on any template before installing it. Preview mode shows how your existing content looks on the new template without making any changes to your live site. Check every page, test navigation, and verify that all content displays correctly. If you want a full development environment, our guide to working on a new template before visitors see it covers private development methods.

Document Your Current Setup

Before switching, take screenshots of every page, copy your custom CSS to a text file, and note which pages are in your navigation and in what order. This documentation makes recovery straightforward if anything goes wrong. Pay special attention to header and footer content, as these reset completely with a new template.

Consider a Separate Trial Site

For major redesigns, create a new Squarespace site on a free 14-day trial. Build your new design on the trial site using your actual content. This keeps your live site completely untouched while you experiment. When the trial site is ready, transfer your domain. For more on this approach, see our comparison of switching templates versus starting a separate trial.

What If You Cannot Recover Your Pages?

If pages are truly missing after exhausting the steps above, you still have options. Squarespace retains your site's activity log, which tracks changes made to your site. Contact Squarespace support and ask them to check if pages were inadvertently deleted or if they can restore a previous version. If you want to revert entirely, our guide on switching back to your old template explains what gets restored and what does not.

Recover Your Pages and Move Forward

Missing pages after a Squarespace template switch are almost always recoverable. Check the Not Linked section first - that is where most "lost" pages end up. Then review each page for layout compatibility, rebuild your custom CSS, and restore your navigation structure. For future switches, always use preview mode and document your setup before making changes.