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How to Fix Elementor Relative Position Not Working

Are you building a masterpiece in Elementor, meticulously placing elements, only to find that your chosen “relative” positioning isn’t behaving as expected? It’s a common frustration that can turn a smooth design process into a head-scratching ordeal. Elementor’s positioning controls, especially “relative” position, are incredibly powerful for fine-tuning layout and creating dynamic effects. However, when Elementor relative position not working as intended, it can throw your entire design off kilter.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many Elementor users encounter this issue. The good news is that most of the time, the fix is straightforward. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various solutions, from basic checks to advanced troubleshooting, ensuring you can master Elementor’s relative positioning and bring your design vision to life. Let’s dive in and fix those stubborn elements!

Understanding Elementor Relative Position: The Basics

Before we jump into solutions, it’s crucial to understand what “relative” positioning genuinely means in CSS and how Elementor implements it. This foundational knowledge will help you diagnose why your Elementor relative position not working.

What is CSS Relative Positioning?

In CSS, the position: relative; property, when applied to an element, allows you to shift its position from its normal flow location without affecting the layout of other elements around it. Think of it like this: the element still occupies its original space in the document, but you can visually offset it using properties like top, right, bottom, and left. It’s “relative” to its own initial position.

Unlike position: absolute; or position: fixed;, which take elements out of the normal document flow, position: relative; keeps them in play. This is why it’s so useful for minor adjustments, overlaps, and creating contextual layouts.

How Elementor Uses Relative Positioning

Elementor provides intuitive controls for positioning: Static, Default, Absolute, Fixed, and Relative. When you select an element, go to the Advanced tab > Position > Position, and choose Relative. You then get input fields for Offset (px) or Offset (%), corresponding to top, right, bottom, and left values.

The “not working” symptom often manifests as an element not moving at all, moving incorrectly, or affecting other elements in an unexpected way. Let’s explore the common culprits and their solutions.

Common Reasons Elementor Relative Position Not Working

Several factors can prevent Elementor’s relative positioning from behaving as expected. Here’s a breakdown of the usual suspects:

• Z-Index Conflicts
• Parent Element Overflow Properties
• Conflicting CSS from Theme or Plugins
• Elementor Bugs or Outdated Versions
• Browser and Server Caching Issues
• Incorrect Offset Values or Units
• Responsive Settings Overriding Desktop

Now, let’s get into the step-by-step solutions to address these issues and get your Elementor relative position working correctly.

Solutions to Fix Elementor Relative Position Not Working

Solution 1: Check Z-Index for Overlapping Elements

One of the most frequent reasons for an element positioned relatively seemingly “not working” is a Z-Index conflict with an overlapping element. Z-Index determines the stacking order of elements on your page.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select the Element: In Elementor editor, click on the element for which you are trying to set relative positioning.

2. Navigate to Advanced Tab: Go to Advanced > Z-Index.

3. Adjust Z-Index: Assign a higher Z-Index value (e.g., 10, 99, 999) to the element you want to appear on top. For elements you want behind, ensure they have a lower Z-Index or no Z-Index at all.

   Tip: Z-Index only works on positioned elements (relative, absolute, fixed, sticky). If an element is position: static;, its Z-Index will have no effect.

4. Test and Preview: Save your changes and preview the page. See if the relative positioning now takes effect as intended and if the element is stacked correctly.

For more detailed information on Z-Index, refer to the Elementor Z-Index Control documentation.

Solution 2: Inspect Parent Element’s Overflow Property

The overflow property of a parent container can significantly impact how relatively positioned child elements are displayed, especially if they are moved outside the parent’s boundaries.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Identify Parent Element: In Elementor, select the parent section, column, or inner section that contains the relatively positioned element.

2. Access Advanced Settings: Go to Advanced > Custom CSS (if using Elementor Pro) or inspect the element using your browser’s developer tools.

3. Check/Modify Overflow:

   • Elementor Pro (Custom CSS): Add the following CSS to the parent element’s Custom CSS area:

     selector {
         overflow: visible !important;
     }

     The !important flag is used to ensure it overrides any conflicting styles, but use it sparingly.

   • Browser Developer Tools: Right-click on the parent element, select “Inspect,” and look for the overflow property in the Styles panel. If it’s set to hidden, scroll, or auto, it might be clipping your relatively positioned element. You can temporarily change it to visible to confirm.

4. Test and Adjust: Save and preview. If the parent’s overflow was the issue, your element should now be visible when moved outside the parent boundaries.

Understanding the CSS overflow property is key to mastering complex layouts. You can find more about it on MDN Web Docs.

Solution 3: Clear Caches (Browser, Elementor, Server)

Caching is a common culprit for styling issues not appearing on the front end, making it seem like your Elementor relative position not working.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Clear Elementor Cache:

   • Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
   • Navigate to Elementor > Tools > Regenerate Files & Data. Click Regenerate Files & Data.
   • Then, go to Elementor > Tools > General > Sync Library. Click Sync Library.

2. Clear Browser Cache: Perform a hard refresh (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + R) or clear your browser’s cache completely.

   • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data.
   • Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data.

3. Clear Server/Plugin Cache: If you use a caching plugin (e.g., WP Super Cache, WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache) or your host provides server-level caching (like Hostinger’s LiteSpeed Cache), clear all cache from their respective settings.

   WP Rocket Example: Go to WP Rocket > Dashboard > Clear Cache.

4. Recheck: After clearing all caches, revisit your Elementor page and check if the relative positioning is now applied correctly.

Solution 4: Look for Conflicting Custom CSS or Global Styles

Sometimes, CSS rules defined elsewhere – in your theme, another plugin, or even Elementor’s global custom CSS – can override your specific Elementor element styles.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Inspect with Browser Developer Tools: This is your most powerful tool.

   • Right-click on the element that isn’t positioning correctly and select “Inspect.”
   • In the “Elements” tab, locate your problematic element.
   • In the “Styles” tab (usually on the right), look for the position property or any top, right, bottom, left properties applied to it.
   • If you see a style crossed out, it means another CSS rule is overriding it. The rule listed below the crossed-out one is the one currently active. Note its source (file name or stylesheet usually indicates where it comes from).

2. Identify the Source of Conflict:

   • Theme Customizer: Check Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
   • Elementor Custom CSS: Check Elementor > Custom Code or the Custom CSS for various elements/sections/columns if you’ve added global custom CSS there.
   • Other Plugins: Some plugins inject their own CSS that might inadvertently affect Elementor elements.

3. Override or Remove Conflict:

   • Use !important (with caution): If you identify the conflicting CSS, you can try adding !important to your Elementor CSS (e.g., in the Custom CSS field of the element itself):

     selector {
         position: relative !important;
         top: 20px !important;
         left: 10px !important;
     }

     This method forces your style to take precedence, but it can make debugging harder later.

   • Adjust the Conflicting CSS: The best approach is to modify or remove the conflicting CSS directly from its source if you have access and understand its purpose.
   • Target with Greater Specificity: Instead of !important, try to write more specific CSS rules that naturally override the conflicting ones. For example, instead of targeting just .my-element, try .parent-section .my-element.

4. Save and Test: Always save your changes and test them in an incognito window to avoid caching issues.

Learning how to use your browser’s developer tools effectively is an invaluable skill for any web developer. Chrome DevTools CSS Overview is a great starting point.

Solution 5: Update Elementor and WordPress

Outdated software can be a significant source of bugs and compatibility issues, leading to your Elementor relative position not working.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Backup Your Website: Before any major updates, always create a full backup of your WordPress site (files and database). Your web host, like Hostinger, often provides backup tools, or you can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus.

2. Update Elementor and Elementor Pro:

   • Go to WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Installed Plugins.
   • Look for Elementor and Elementor Pro (if you have it).
   • If an update is available, click the “Update Now” link below each plugin.

3. Update WordPress Core:

   • Go to WordPress Dashboard > Dashboard > Updates.
   • If a new version of WordPress is available, click “Update Now.”

4. Update Theme and Other Plugins: Ensure your theme and all other plugins are also up to date to minimize compatibility concerns.

5. Clear Cache and Test: After all updates, clear all caches (Elementor, browser, server) and test your relative positioning.

Keeping your WordPress installation and all its components updated is crucial for security, performance, and functionality. Refer to the official WordPress documentation on updating.

Solution 6: Check Responsive Settings

Elementor allows you to set different positioning values for desktop, tablet, and mobile. It’s possible that your desktop settings are being overridden or misinterpreted by specific responsive breakpoints.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Access Responsive Mode: In Elementor editor, click on the responsive mode icon at the bottom of the left panel (looks like a desktop monitor). Select “Tablet” and “Mobile” viewport modes.

   

2. Inspect Positioning: For your problematic element, check its Advanced > Position > Relative settings in each responsive mode.

3. Adjust as Needed: Ensure that the offset values are set correctly for each device. If a value is blank, it will usually inherit from the larger breakpoint, but sometimes inconsistencies can arise.

4. Consider Viewport Units: While px is common, using viewport units like vw or vh for relative positioning can sometimes lead to unexpected results on certain screen sizes if not handled carefully. Stick to px or % for initial troubleshooting.

5. Save and Preview: Save your changes and test the page across various device sizes or using your browser’s responsive design mode.

Elementor’s responsive editing features are powerful. Learn more about them in Elementor’s Responsive Mode documentation.

Solution 7: Deactivate Conflicting Plugins/Theme

A poorly coded plugin or theme can inject CSS or JavaScript that conflicts with Elementor’s functionality, including positioning.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Backup Your Website: Always create a full backup before deactivating plugins.

2. Deactivate All Other Plugins:

   • Go to