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Fixing the Sydney Theme Mobile Menu: Common Issues and Solutions

52 threads Sep 16, 2025 Theme → Sydney

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Mobile menu problems are among the most frequently reported issues for users of the Sydney WordPress theme. Based on community support threads, these issues often manifest after theme updates, when using child themes, or due to CSS conflicts. This guide compiles the most common problems and their verified solutions to help you get your mobile navigation working again.

Common Mobile Menu Issues and Their Causes

Based on user reports, the most prevalent mobile menu problems include:

  • The mobile menu button not appearing at all
  • The menu button being visible but not clickable
  • Submenu items not displaying properly
  • Menu items disappearing after theme updates
  • Styling issues where menu elements are invisible due to color conflicts

These problems typically occur for one of several reasons: outdated child theme templates that don't include required code, CSS conflicts with other theme elements or plugins, or changes introduced in theme updates that require adjustments to custom code.

Verified Solutions for Sydney Mobile Menu Problems

1. Fixing Missing Mobile Menu Button

If your mobile menu button has completely disappeared, especially after a theme update, try this CSS solution that has worked for many users:

.btn-menu {
  font-size: 28px;
  font-family: "FontAwesome";
  color: #fff; /* Use your preferred color */
}
.btn-menu:before{
  content: "f0c9";
}

Add this code to Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS in your WordPress dashboard.

2. Making the Menu Button Clickable

If the menu button appears but doesn't respond to clicks, the issue may be with your child theme's header template. The Sydney team changed the mobile menu markup in recent versions, and child themes need to be updated accordingly.

Ensure your child theme's header.php file includes the <?php wp_body_open(); ?> line right after the opening body tag. This function call is essential for proper mobile menu functionality.

3. Fixing Invisible Submenu Arrows

If submenu arrows or indicators are missing (particularly when users are logged in), try this CSS fix:

.logged-in .sydney-offcanvas-menu svg, 
.logged-in .sydney-offcanvas-menu .dropdown-symbol {
  display: block !important;
}

.site-header .btn-menu .sydney-svg-icon {
  fill: #ffffff; /* Use your preferred color */
}

4. Solving Color Conflict Issues

Sometimes menu elements exist but are invisible due to color conflicts. If your mobile dropdown menu appears empty, try changing the symbol color:

.sydney-offcanvas-menu #mainnav .dropdown-symbol {
  fill: #000000; /* Use a color that contrasts with your background */
}

5. Adding "Menu" Text Next to Hamburger Icon

For users who want text labels next to their mobile menu button, this CSS solution has proven effective:

.btn-menu {
  position: relative;
  left: -20px;
}
.btn-menu:after {
  content: 'MENU';
  color: #c228ce; /* Use your preferred color */
  position: absolute;
  font-weight: bold;
  top: 6px;
  left: 100%;
}

Important Troubleshooting Steps

Before implementing any code solutions, perform these basic checks:

  1. Test with parent theme: Disable your child theme temporarily to see if the issue persists with the main Sydney theme
  2. Clear cache: Clear both your browser cache and any caching plugins on your site
  3. Check for conflicts: Disable plugins temporarily to identify any conflicts
  4. Verify menu settings: Ensure your menu is properly assigned in Appearance → Menus

When These Solutions Might Not Work

If none of these solutions resolve your mobile menu issues, the problem might be:

  • Custom code from other plugins interfering with the menu functionality
  • CSS conflicts with page builder elements (especially negative margins that can overlay the menu button)
  • Specific browser compatibility issues
  • Problems with anchor links in mobile menus that require JavaScript adjustments

For persistent issues, consider seeking help from the WordPress community forums where other Sydney users may have encountered similar specific scenarios.

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