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Troubleshooting Gallery and Column Display Issues in Twenty Twenty-One

32 threads Sep 9, 2025 Theme → Twenty twenty-one

Content

Many users of the Twenty Twenty-One theme report issues where galleries and column layouts appear correctly in the WordPress editor but break on the live site. This common problem can be frustrating, but it's often solvable with a few targeted fixes. This guide covers the most frequent causes and their solutions.

Common Symptoms

Based on community reports, the issues typically manifest as:

  • Galleries set to display in 4 columns only showing 3, with one image appearing much larger.
  • Gutenberg Columns blocks stacking vertically instead of appearing side-by-side on the front end.
  • Image distortion or unexpected white space within column and gallery layouts.

Why This Happens

These display discrepancies are rarely due to a single cause. The most common culprits are:

  1. Plugin Conflicts: Third-party plugins, especially page builders like Elementor, can override the theme's native styles for blocks.
  2. Browser-Specific CSS: Some CSS properties may render differently in certain browsers, particularly older versions (e.g., Safari on outdated iOS).
  3. Custom CSS: Previously added custom CSS might conflict with new theme or WordPress core updates.
  4. Theme Updates: Major WordPress updates (like version 6.0) can sometimes change how core blocks are handled, requiring theme adjustments.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix

1. Conduct a Basic Conflict Check

The first step is always to rule out conflicts with other software.

  • Deactivate Plugins: Temporarily deactivate all plugins. If the issue is resolved, reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit.
  • Switch Themes: Briefly switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Two. If the columns work there, the issue is specific to Twenty Twenty-One's styles.

2. Inspect and Add Custom CSS

If the conflict check doesn't resolve the issue, the solution often lies in adding specific CSS. Use your browser's inspector tool to identify the problematic classes on your live site.

For Gallery Columns:
If a gallery set to `columns-4` is not displaying correctly, try adding the following CSS via the Customizer (Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS).

.wp-block-gallery.columns-4 {
    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr) !important;
}

For General Column Layouts:
To prevent columns from stacking on mobile, ensure they have a defined width. You can use this CSS to make columns more resilient.

.wp-block-columns:not(.is-not-stacked-on-mobile) > .wp-block-column {
    flex-basis: 100% !important;
}
@media (min-width: 782px) {
    .wp-block-columns:not(.is-not-stacked-on-mobile) > .wp-block-column {
        flex-basis: 0 !important;
        flex-grow: 1 !important;
    }
}

3. Check for Known Issues

Some issues may be known and tracked by the WordPress community. For example, excessive white space after embeds (like Spotify) was identified as a Gutenberg core issue, not a theme-specific bug. Searching the Gutenberg GitHub repository can provide status updates and workarounds.

When to Seek Further Help

If the problem persists after these steps, it may be a more complex conflict. The next best step is to seek help from the wider community. When asking for help, be sure to provide:

  • A link to the page where the problem appears.
  • The exact browser and device you are using.
  • A list of active plugins.
  • Any custom CSS you have already added.

This information is crucial for others to accurately diagnose and help solve the problem.

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