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Elementor Load More Button Not Working? Fix It

Ah, the “Load More” button in Elementor – a fantastic feature for keeping your pages tidy and improving user experience by progressively displaying content. But what happens when it decides to go on strike? You click, and nothing… nada. It’s frustrating, to say the least, especially when you’ve designed a beautiful layout that relies on its functionality.

If you’re facing an Elementor load more button not working issue, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is a common hiccup that many Elementor users encounter, and thankfully, it’s often fixable with a bit of systematic troubleshooting. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the potential causes and provide you with multiple, actionable solutions to get your “Load More” button back in action. From basic checks to advanced debugging, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get your Elementor load more button working seamlessly!

Understanding the Elementor Load More Button Widget

Before we jump into fixes, it’s helpful to understand how the Elementor load more button typically operates. This feature is usually found within Elementor’s Post widget, Portfolio widget, or other display widgets that paginate content. When a user clicks the “Load More” button, it triggers an AJAX request (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) to fetch more posts or items from your database without reloading the entire page. This smooth experience relies on several components working in harmony:

• Elementor JavaScript: Handles the click event and AJAX request.
• WordPress Core: Manages post queries and data retrieval.
• Server Configuration: Ensures AJAX requests are processed correctly.
• Theme and Other Plugins: Should be compatible and not interfere with Elementor’s scripts.

When any of these links in the chain break, your Elementor load more button not working issue can arise.

Initial Checks for Your Elementor Load More Button Not Working

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Before diving into complex troubleshooting, let’s run through some quick initial checks that can often resolve an Elementor load more button not working problem.

1. Clear Caches (Browser, WordPress, CDN)

Caching is designed to speed up your website, but sometimes it can serve outdated versions of files, leading to functional issues. If your Elementor load more button not working, clearing all caches should be your first step.

• Browser Cache: Hard refresh your browser (Ctrl+F5 on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac). You might also want to clear your browser’s cache and cookies manually.
• WordPress Caching Plugins: If you use plugins like WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache, clear their caches from your WordPress dashboard. Look for a “Clear Cache” or “Purge All Cache” option.
• Server-Side Caching: Some hosting providers (like Hostinger!) offer server-level caching. Check your hosting control panel (e.g., hPanel, cPanel) for options to clear cached data.
• CDN Cache: If you use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare, make sure to purge its cache.

After clearing all caches, test your “Load More” button again.

2. Update Everything (Elementor, WordPress, Plugins, Theme)

Outdated software is a common source of compatibility issues and bugs. Keeping your site updated is crucial for security and functionality.

1. WordPress Core: Navigate to Dashboard > Updates in your WordPress admin area and ensure WordPress is on the latest version.
2. Elementor & Elementor Pro: Go to Elementor > Tools > Version Control. Check if Elementor and Elementor Pro are updated. If not, update them via Dashboard > Updates > Plugins.
3. All Other Plugins: Update all other plugins to their latest versions.
4. Theme: Ensure your WordPress theme is also up to date.

Always back up your website before performing major updates! (You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or your host’s backup system).

3. Check Elementor Widget Settings

Sometimes, the problem isn’t a bug but a simple misconfiguration within the Elementor editor itself. Double-check your “Load More” button settings.

1. Edit the page with Elementor where the “Load More” button is located.
2. Select the widget generating the posts (e.g., Posts widget, Portfolio widget).
3. In the widget’s settings panel, look for the “Pagination” or “Load More” section.
4. Ensure the “Load More” option is enabled.
5. Verify that the “Posts Per Page” or “Items Per Page” setting is less than the total number of items available, otherwise there will be nothing left to load.
6. Check for any custom CSS or JavaScript applied to the widget that might be interfering.

Comprehensive Solutions for Elementor Load More Button Not Working

If the initial checks didn’t resolve your Elementor load more button not working problem, it’s time to dive into more detailed troubleshooting. These solutions address common underlying causes.

1. Conflict Resolution: Plugins and Theme

Plugin and theme conflicts are arguably the most frequent culprits for any WordPress functionality breakdown, including an unresponsive Elementor load more button.

Step-by-step Conflict Test:

1. Deactivate All Plugins (Except Elementor & Elementor Pro): Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. Select all plugins except Elementor and Elementor Pro, then choose “Deactivate” from the bulk actions dropdown and click “Apply.”
2. Test the Load More Button: Check your page again. If the button now works, you know a deactivated plugin was causing the issue.
3. Activate Plugins One by One: Reactivate your plugins one by one, testing the “Load More” button after each activation. This will help you pinpoint the problematic plugin.
4. If a Plugin is Identified: Once you find the conflicting plugin, check its documentation or support forums for known issues with Elementor. You might need to find an alternative plugin or contact the plugin developer for a fix.
5. Switch to a Default Theme: If the issue persists even with (almost) all plugins deactivated, the problem could lie with your current theme. Switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four (Appearance > Themes).
6. Test Again: If the Elementor load more button not working issue resolves after switching themes, your theme is the problem. Contact your theme developer or consider using a different theme.

Pro Tip: Use a staging environment for conflict testing to avoid disrupting your live site. Many hosting providers (like Hostinger) offer one-click staging environments.

2. Check for JavaScript Errors

Since the “Load More” functionality is heavily reliant on JavaScript, errors in your site’s JavaScript can prevent it from working. Your browser’s developer console is your best friend here.

How to Check for JavaScript Errors:

1. Open your website in a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
2. Right-click anywhere on the page and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.”
3. Navigate to the “Console” tab in the developer tools panel.
4. Look for any red error messages. These usually indicate JavaScript errors.
5. If errors are present:
   • The error message might give clues about the source (e.g., a specific plugin file, theme file).
   • Screenshot the errors and search for them online or include them when seeking support.
   • Often, resolving plugin conflicts (as described above) will clear JavaScript errors.

For more detailed information on debugging JavaScript errors, you can refer to MDN Web Docs.

3. Review Server Resources and Configuration

Sometimes, the server environment itself can cause issues with AJAX requests, leading to an Elementor load more button not working.

a) PHP Memory Limit:

WordPress and Elementor require sufficient PHP memory. If your memory limit is too low, it can prevent scripts from executing properly.

• How to Check: Go to Elementor > System Info. Look for “PHP Memory Limit.” Elementor recommends at least 256MB, but 512MB or more is ideal for complex sites.
• How to Increase:
  • Via `wp-config.php`: Add or modify `define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘512M’ );` above the `/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */` line.
  • Via `php.ini`: If you have access, locate `memory_limit` and set it to a higher value (e.g., `memory_limit = 512M`).
  • Via Hostinger hPanel/cPanel: Most hosting providers allow you to adjust PHP settings (including memory limit) from their control panel.

Refer to WordPress documentation on increasing memory limit for more details.

b) AJAX URL and Permalinks:

Incorrect WordPress permalink settings or a misconfigured AJAX URL can break the “Load More” functionality.

• Resave Permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard. Without making any changes, just click “Save Changes.” This action refreshes your rewrite rules, which can sometimes resolve AJAX-related issues.
• Check for Custom AJAX URL: Ensure no plugin or theme is overriding the default WordPress AJAX URL (`admin-ajax.php`) incorrectly. This is rare but can happen with heavily customized setups.

4. Inspect Custom Code (CSS/JS)

If you’ve added any custom CSS or JavaScript to your Elementor sections, columns, or globally, it might be inadvertently interfering with the “Load More” button’s functionality.

1. Elementor Custom CSS/JS: Check the “Advanced” tab of the widget, column, or section containing the “Load More” button for any custom CSS. Also, check Elementor > Custom Code or theme options for global custom scripts.
2. Theme Customizer: Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS for any interfering styles.
3. Child Theme `functions.php`: If you use a child theme, inspect its `functions.php` file for custom scripts that might be conflicting.

Temporarily remove or comment out any custom code and test the button. If it starts working, gradually reintroduce your code, carefully testing after each addition to identify the culprit.

5. Reinstall Elementor (Last Resort)

If all else fails, a fresh reinstallation of Elementor and Elementor Pro can sometimes resolve deeply embedded issues, especially if files were corrupted during an update or installation.

1. Backup Your Entire Site: This step is CRUCIAL before reinstalling.
2. Deactivate & Delete Elementor & Elementor Pro: Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins, find Elementor and Elementor Pro, deactivate them, and then delete them.
3. Reinstall Elementor & Elementor Pro: Go to Plugins > Add New, search for “Elementor,” install and activate it. Then, upload and install Elementor Pro.
4. Test the Load More Button: Check if the issue is resolved.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting for Elementor Load More Button Not Working

Let’s address some specific scenarios and common problems you might encounter when your Elementor load more button not working.

1. Button Appears But Does Nothing

This is the classic symptom of a JavaScript error or a blocked AJAX request. Follow these steps:

• Check the Console (JavaScript Errors): As detailed above, open your browser’s developer console and look for red error messages. This is the most direct way to diagnose this.
• Plugin Conflict: Deactivate plugins one by one. A common culprit is a plugin that minifies or caches JavaScript aggressively without proper exclusion rules.
• Security Plugins/Firewalls: Plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri, or server-level firewalls, can sometimes block legitimate AJAX requests, perceiving them as malicious. Temporarily disable them (on a staging site!) to test.
• Incorrect Post Query: Ensure your Elementor widget is configured to display posts that actually exist and that there are more posts available to load than initially displayed.

2. “Load More” Button Not Showing Up At All

If the button doesn’t even appear, it’s usually a configuration issue within Elementor itself or a theme/plugin overriding the template.

• Widget Settings: Double-check that the “Load More” option is enabled in the Elementor widget’s pagination settings.
• Posts Per Page vs. Total Posts: If your “Posts Per Page” setting is equal to or greater than the total number of posts available, the “Load More” button won’t appear because there’s nothing more to load. Adjust “Posts Per Page” to a smaller number.
• Custom Queries/Templates: If you’re using a custom query or a theme builder template with Elementor, ensure that the pagination arguments are correctly passed. Some themes might have their own pagination logic.
• Visibility Conditions: Check if any Elementor visibility conditions or responsive settings are hiding the button.

3. Styling Issues: Button Looks Broken or Is Misplaced

While not strictly a “not working” issue, poor styling can give the impression of a broken button.

• CSS Conflicts: Other plugins or your theme’s CSS might be overriding Elementor’s button styles. Use your browser’s “Inspect Element” tool to identify conflicting CSS rules.
• Cache: Clear your CSS cache if you’ve made recent styling changes.
• Custom CSS Errors: Review any custom CSS you’ve added for errors that might be breaking the layout.

Tips and Best Practices for a Smooth Elementor Experience

Preventing issues is always better than fixing them. Here are some best practices to keep your Elementor load more button and your overall site running smoothly.

• Use a Staging Site: Always test updates, new plugins, or significant changes on a staging environment before pushing them to your live site. This prevents downtime and user frustration.
• Keep Backups: Regularly back up your entire website. Hostinger offers automated backups, but also consider a plugin like UpdraftPlus for manual control.
• Choose Reputable Plugins and Themes: Stick to well-maintained plugins and themes from trusted sources that explicitly state Elementor compatibility.
• Don’t Be Afraid of the Console: Familiarize yourself with your browser’s developer console. It’s an invaluable tool for diagnosing a wide range of website issues.
• Monitor Site Health: Regularly check your WordPress Site Health (Tools > Site Health) for critical issues or recommended improvements.
• Optimize Performance: A fast website reduces load times and potential script execution issues. Optimize images, use a caching plugin, and consider a CDN.
• Refer to Official Documentation: When in doubt, the Elementor documentation and WordPress documentation are excellent resources.

FAQ: Elementor Load More Button Not Working