Is your WordPress slideshow plugin not working, even though it’s compatible with your current WordPress version? You’re not alone — many users face this issue, and the cause is often related to the theme you’re using rather than the plugin itself.
Let’s walk through the problem and how to fix it.
✅ The Common Cause: Missing Theme Functions
When you install a slideshow or any JavaScript-based plugin in WordPress, it relies on core WordPress functions like wp_head() and wp_footer() to load required scripts — including jQuery and other JavaScript files.
If your WordPress theme is missing these functions, the necessary scripts won’t load, causing plugins to malfunction or not work at all — even if they are fully compatible with your WordPress version.
🛠️ The Fix: Add wp_head() and wp_footer()
To ensure proper plugin functionality, you need to include these two essential WordPress functions in your theme files:
1. Add wp_head() in header.php
Open your theme’s header.php file. Just before the closing </head> tag, add the following code:
<?php wp_head(); ?>This function allows WordPress and plugins to insert required CSS, JS, and meta tags in the <head> section.
2. Add wp_footer() in footer.php
Next, open your footer.php file. Just before the closing </body> tag, insert:
<?php wp_footer(); ?>This ensures that any JavaScript needed by plugins or WordPress itself is properly loaded in the footer of your site.
🎉 That’s It!
After making these changes:
- Your slideshow plugin should start working.
- Other plugins that rely on JavaScript will also function correctly.
- WordPress core features like the block editor and widgets may behave more reliably.
If your plugin is still not working after applying this fix, double-check that:
- You saved the changes correctly.
- The plugin is updated and compatible.
- There are no JavaScript conflicts caused by other plugins or custom scripts.
❓ Still Need Help?
If you’re still experiencing issues or need assistance, feel free to drop your question in the comments. We’re here to help! Or contact us so we can investigate and fix the problem for you! and let you know if the problem is with the plugin you are trying to use or it’s related to your theme which doesn’t have proper functions to let your plugin load it’s files correctly!
