Squarespace Troubleshooting and Issues

Display and Design Issues

Page Layout Looks Broken

If your page layout suddenly looks wrong - elements misaligned, sections overlapping, or content missing - the most common causes are: browser cache showing an old version (clear cache and refresh), Custom CSS with a syntax error (check Design > Custom CSS for unclosed brackets or missing semicolons), or a recent Squarespace platform update that changed CSS class names (re-inspect affected elements and update your selectors).

Fonts Not Displaying Correctly

If custom fonts are not loading, check your Code Injection for the font import link - it may have expired or the URL may be incorrect. If using Google Fonts, verify the link tag syntax. If fonts load on desktop but not mobile, check for mixed content issues (HTTP instead of HTTPS in the font URL). For font troubleshooting, our guide to adding custom fonts to Squarespace covers common issues.

Images Not Loading

If images show as broken or blank, the image file may have been deleted from Squarespace's media library, the file may be corrupted, or a browser extension may be blocking image loading. Try viewing the page in incognito mode. If images load in incognito but not your regular browser, a browser extension is the cause. For image optimization, our guide to speeding up Squarespace image load times covers format and upload best practices.

Mobile Layout Looks Different Than Expected

Squarespace layouts reflow on mobile - columns stack, navigation collapses, and spacing changes. If the mobile version looks wrong, check the mobile preview in the editor and adjust section padding, font sizes, and element visibility with CSS media queries. For mobile fixes, our guide to Squarespace mobile optimization covers responsive troubleshooting.

Functionality Issues

Forms Not Submitting

If form submissions fail silently (the page refreshes but no submission is recorded), check your form's storage settings - verify an email address is configured for notifications. Check that required fields are properly configured. If using a third-party form (embedded via Code Block), the issue may be with the external service, not Squarespace. For form configuration, our guide to Squarespace form customization covers field and notification settings.

Navigation Menu Not Working

If navigation links do not work or the menu does not open on mobile, check for JavaScript errors in the browser console (right-click > Inspect > Console). Custom scripts in Code Injection can conflict with Squarespace's navigation JavaScript. Temporarily remove custom scripts and test. For navigation fixes, our guide to editing the navigation bar covers structure and troubleshooting.

Third-Party Embeds Not Loading

If embedded widgets (maps, forms, videos, social feeds) show blank, check that the Code Block is set to HTML mode (not Markdown). Verify the embed code is complete and the external service is online. Try the embed in incognito mode - ad blockers frequently block third-party iframes. For embedding issues, our guide to embedding iframes in Squarespace covers troubleshooting.

Instagram Feed Not Updating

The most common cause is an expired authentication token. Go to Settings > Connected Accounts, disconnect Instagram, and reconnect. For detailed Instagram fixes, our guide to refreshing the Instagram feed on Squarespace covers every solution.

Performance Issues

Site Loading Slowly

Run Google PageSpeed Insights to identify specific bottlenecks. The most common causes: oversized images (compress and resize before uploading), too many third-party scripts in Code Injection (audit and remove unused ones), excessive custom fonts (limit to two weights), and heavy embedded content (add lazy loading to iframes). For a complete speed guide, our Squarespace page speed optimization article covers every technique.

Pages Timing Out

If specific pages fail to load or time out, check for large unoptimized images, excessive Code Block content, or a very high number of content sections on a single page. Simplify the page by removing non-essential elements and testing after each removal to identify the bottleneck.

Domain and SSL Issues

Custom Domain Not Working

If your custom domain shows an error or does not resolve to your Squarespace site, check your DNS settings. Verify the A record points to Squarespace's IP addresses and the CNAME for www points to the correct Squarespace target. Use a DNS checker tool (whatsmydns.com) to verify propagation. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully.

SSL Certificate Not Active

Squarespace provides free SSL certificates for all connected domains. If your site shows a security warning, the SSL certificate may not have provisioned yet (allow 24 to 72 hours after connecting a new domain) or the domain's DNS may not be configured correctly. Verify DNS settings and wait for provisioning. Contact Squarespace support if SSL does not activate after 72 hours.

Domain Showing Wrong Site

If your domain shows a different site or a parking page, the DNS records may still point to a previous hosting provider. Update the A record and CNAME to Squarespace's values. If you recently transferred the domain, the old DNS settings may still be in effect - allow time for propagation.

Commerce Issues

Checkout Not Working

If customers cannot complete checkout, verify your payment processor (Stripe or PayPal) is connected and active under Commerce > Payments. Check your Stripe dashboard for account restrictions or verification requirements. Test with a real credit card in incognito mode. For checkout configuration, our guide to Squarespace e-commerce customization covers payment and checkout settings.

Products Not Displaying

If products do not appear on your store page, verify the products are published (not in draft status) and assigned to the correct store page. Check product visibility settings - some products may be hidden from the store while still accessible via direct URL. Verify your store page layout is configured to display products.

Orders Not Appearing in Dashboard

If a customer reports completing a purchase but the order does not appear in your Squarespace Commerce dashboard, check your Stripe or PayPal dashboard for the transaction. The order may have been created but not synced - this is rare but can happen during platform issues. Contact Squarespace support with the transaction details.

Code and Customization Issues

Custom CSS Not Applying

If your CSS rules do not take effect, the selector may not match the element (re-inspect and verify the class name), the template's default styles may have higher specificity (use a more specific selector or add !important as a last resort), or your browser may be caching old CSS (clear cache or test in incognito). For CSS debugging, our guide to Squarespace custom CSS covers specificity and troubleshooting.

Code Injection Scripts Not Working

Check the browser console for JavaScript errors. Verify the script is in the correct injection field (header vs. footer). Check that the script URL uses HTTPS. Some scripts fail because of Squarespace's AJAX page transitions - scripts that only initialize on page load need to also handle AJAX navigation events. For script debugging, our guide to custom code injection on Squarespace covers common issues.

Extension Not Working

If a connected extension stops functioning, check the extension's status in the Extensions panel. The connection may have expired - disconnect and reconnect. Verify your Squarespace plan supports the extension. Check the extension provider's status page for outages. Contact the extension provider's support (not Squarespace support) for extension-specific issues.

General Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check Squarespace status. Visit status.squarespace.com to see if there is a platform-wide issue.

2. Clear browser cache. Many display issues are caused by cached old versions. Clear cache or test in incognito.

3. Disable browser extensions. Ad blockers, privacy tools, and other extensions can interfere with Squarespace. Test with extensions disabled.

4. Check in multiple browsers. If the issue only occurs in one browser, it is a browser-specific problem, not a Squarespace problem.

5. Review recent changes. Did the issue start after a specific change? Undo the last change and test. Code Injection edits, Custom CSS additions, and extension installations are the most common causes of new issues.

6. Contact Squarespace support. If you cannot resolve the issue, contact support through live chat or email with your site URL, a description of the issue, screenshots, and the steps you have already tried. For support channels, our guide to Squarespace website help covers every support option. For broader site management, our Squarespace SEO guide covers technical site health.

Fix Issues Systematically, Not Randomly

Squarespace troubleshooting follows a pattern: check for platform outages first, clear your cache second, review recent changes third, and isolate the cause fourth. Most issues come down to cached old content, a CSS or script error, an expired connection, or a configuration that needs updating.

When you cannot resolve an issue yourself, Squarespace support is available on every plan. Come prepared with your site URL, screenshots, and a clear description of what is wrong - the more detail you provide, the faster they can help.