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How to Fix Page Shifting and Layout Jumping When Popup Maker Opens

20 threads Sep 16, 2025

Content

One of the most common issues reported by users of the Popup Maker plugin is an unexpected page shift or layout jump when a popup is triggered. This can be a frustrating experience for visitors, making your site look unprofessional. Based on community reports and solutions, this guide explains why it happens and how to fix it.

Why Does the Page Shift When a Popup Opens?

The core of this problem is typically related to scrollbars. When a popup opens, it often adds an overlay that covers the main page content. Some themes interpret this as the need for an additional scrollbar on the page. To compensate, the theme shifts the entire page content slightly to the left to make room for this non-existent scrollbar, causing the visible "jump" or "shift."

Common Solutions to Fix the Page Shift

1. Enable the "Adjust Right Padding" Setting

The most straightforward fix is often found within the plugin's own settings. This option is specifically designed to prevent the layout shift caused by scrollbar compensation.

  1. Navigate to Popup Maker > Settings > Misc.
  2. Locate the checkbox for "Disable adjust right padding for scrollbars" or a similarly named option.
  3. Ensure this box is checked.
  4. Save your changes and clear any site or browser cache to test the result.

2. Apply Custom CSS

If the setting above does not resolve the issue, a commonly shared CSS snippet can force the popup overlay to display correctly, which can stop the page from shifting.

Add the following code to your site's Additional CSS area (under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS):

.pum-overlay.pum-active,
.pum-overlay.pum-active .popmake.active {
    opacity: 1 !important;
    display: block !important;
}

3. Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Sometimes, the issue is not with Popup Maker itself but with how it interacts with your theme or another plugin. To test for a conflict:

  1. Temporarily switch your theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
  2. Deactivate all other plugins except Popup Maker.
  3. If the shift stops, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
  4. Once identified, you can look for an updated version of the conflicting software or seek an alternative.

Conclusion

A shifting page layout when a popup opens is a well-documented issue with clear solutions. Starting with the built-in "Adjust Right Padding" setting is the recommended first step. If that doesn't work, the custom CSS solution has proven effective for many users. Finally, a conflict test can help rule out other factors on your site.

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