FaviconStudio

Favicon Troubleshooting

1/22/2025

15 min read

By FaviconStudio Team

Favicon Not Showing - Complete Fix Guide 2025

Fix favicon not showing issues with our complete troubleshooting guide. Solutions for all browsers, WordPress, and hosting providers. Get your favicon working in minutes.

TroubleshootingFaviconWeb DevelopmentBrowser IssuesWordPress

Quick Fix Steps

Clear browser cache (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R)
Check if favicon.ico exists in root directory
Verify HTML code is correct
Test in incognito/private mode

# Favicon Not Showing

Complete Fix Guide 2025

Introduction

Favicon not showing is one of the most common issues website owners face. This comprehensive guide covers all possible causes and solutions to get your favicon displaying correctly across all browsers and devices.

Quick Diagnosis Checklist

Before diving into solutions, check these common issues:

✅ Basic Checks

] Favicon file exists in root directory

[ ] File is named correctly (favicon.ico)

[ ] File size is under 1MB

[ ] Image format is supported (.ico, .png, .svg)

[ ] HTML code is correct

✅ Browser Checks

[ ] Tested in multiple browsers

[ ] Cleared browser cache

[ ] Tried incognito/private mode

[ ] Checked browser console for errors

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Browser Cache Issues

Problem: Browser is showing cached version of your site without favicon.

Solutions:

#

Method 1: Hard Refresh

Chrome/Firefox: Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac)

Safari: Cmd + Option + R

Edge: Ctrl + Shift + R

#

Method 2: Clear Browser Cache

1. Open browser settings
2. Go to Privacy/Security settings
3. Clear browsing data
4. Select "Cached images and files"
5. Choose time range (last hour to all time)
6. Click "Clear data"

#

Method 3: Incognito/Private Mode

Open your website in incognito/private mode

This bypasses all cache

If favicon shows here, it's a cache issue

2. Incorrect File Path

Problem: HTML code points to wrong file location.

Check Your HTML Code:

Correct paths -->



Incorrect paths (common mistakes) --> Missing leading slash --> Wrong directory --> Unnecessary full URL -->```

Solutions:
1. Ensure favicon.ico is in your website's root directory
2. Use relative paths starting with "/"
3. Check file permissions (should be readable)
4. Verify file exists by visiting direct URL

3. File Format Issues

Problem: Using unsupported or corrupted file format.

Supported Formats:
.ico: Best compatibility, works everywhere
.png: Good for modern browsers
.svg: Scalable, modern browsers only
.gif: Limited support, not recommended

Solutions:
1. Convert your image to .ico format
2. Use online favicon generators
3. Ensure file isn't corrupted
4. Test with different formats

4. Server Configuration Issues

Problem: Server not serving favicon files correctly.

Check Server Headers:

bash
# Test with curl
curl -I https://yoursite.com/favicon.ico

# Should return:
# HTTP/1.1 200 OK
# Content-Type: image/x-icon
```

Solutions:
1. Check server error logs
2. Verify MIME type configuration
3. Ensure file permissions are correct
4. Contact hosting provider if needed

5. WordPress Specific Issues

Problem: WordPress not generating or serving favicon correctly.

WordPress Solutions:

#

Method 1: WordPress Customizer

1. Go to Appearance → Customize
2. Click Site Identity
3. Upload favicon under "Site Icon"
4. Click Publish
5. Clear all caches

#

Method 2: Theme Options

1. Check theme's favicon settings
2. Look for "Site Icon" or "Favicon" options
3. Upload favicon through theme
4. Save changes

#

Method 3: Plugin Method

Install a favicon plugin:

All In One Favicon

Favicon by RealFaviconGenerator

6. CDN and Caching Issues

Problem: CDN or caching plugins not updating favicon.

Solutions:

#

Clear CDN Cache

1. Log into your CDN dashboard
2. Purge all cache
3. Wait 5-10 minutes
4. Test your website

#

Clear WordPress Cache

If using caching plugins:

WP Rocket: Go to WP Rocket → Clear Cache

W3 Total Cache: Performance → Purge All Caches

WP Super Cache: Delete Cache

LiteSpeed Cache: LiteSpeed Cache → Purge All

7. Mobile and Touch Icon Issues

Problem: Favicon not showing on mobile devices.

Solutions:
1. Add Apple touch icon:

2. Include Android icons:

3. Add manifest file:

Browser-Specific Solutions

Chrome

1. Clear browsing data
2. Disable extensions temporarily
3. Check chrome://settings/content/all
4. Reset Chrome settings if needed

Firefox

1. Clear cache and cookies
2. Disable add-ons
3. Check about:config settings
4. Reset Firefox if needed

Safari

1. Clear Safari cache
2. Disable extensions
3. Reset Safari settings
4. Check Develop menu options

Edge

1. Clear browsing data
2. Disable extensions
3. Reset Edge settings
4. Check site permissions

Advanced Troubleshooting

1. Network Tab Analysis

1. Open browser Developer Tools (F12)
2. Go to Network tab
3. Reload your website
4. Look for favicon requests
5. Check if requests are successful (200 status)
6. Note any 404 or error responses

2. Console Error Checking

1. Open browser Developer Tools (F12)
2. Go to Console tab
3. Look for favicon-related errors
4. Check for JavaScript errors
5. Note any resource loading failures

3. File Permission Issues

# Check file permissions (Linux/Mac)
ls -la favicon.ico

# Should show:
# -rw-r--r-1 user user 1234 Jan 1 12:00 favicon.ico

# Fix permissions if needed:
chmod 644 favicon.ico

4. MIME Type Configuration

Ensure your server serves favicon with correct MIME type:

.ico files: image/x-icon or image/vnd.microsoft.icon

.png files: image/png

.svg files: image/svg+xml

Testing Your Favicon

1. Direct URL Test

Visit your favicon directly:

https://yoursite.com/favicon.ico

Should show the favicon image

Should return 200 status code

2. Multiple Browser Test

Test in different browsers:

Mobile browsers

3. Device Testing

Test on different devices:

Desktop computers

Different screen sizes

4. Bookmark Test

1. Bookmark your website
2. Check if favicon appears in bookmarks
3. Test in different browsers

Prevention Tips

1. Use Standard Practices

Place favicon.ico in root directory

Use proper HTML syntax

Include multiple formats

Test thoroughly before going live

2. Monitor Regularly

Check favicon functionality monthly

Monitor for any changes

Keep backups of favicon files

Update as needed

3. Document Your Setup

Keep record of favicon implementation

Note any custom configurations

Document troubleshooting steps

Share knowledge with team

When to Seek Professional Help

Contact a web developer if:

All solutions fail

Server configuration issues

Complex hosting setup

Custom development needed

Time constraints

Conclusion

Favicon not showing is usually a simple cache or configuration issue. Start with basic troubleshooting (clear cache, check file path) before moving to advanced solutions.

Most issues can be resolved by:
1. Clearing browser cache
2. Checking file path and permissions
3. Using correct HTML syntax
4. Testing in multiple browsers

For the best results, use our [free favicon generator to create properly formatted favicons that work across all browsers and devices.

Need a New Favicon?

Create a professional favicon that works perfectly across all browsers and devices

Create Favicon Now