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Troubleshooting Rife Free Bricks Proportion and Mobile Column Issues

13 threads Sep 16, 2025 Theme → Rife free

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Many users of the Rife Free theme encounter two common, yet frustrating, layout problems: the Bricks Proportion setting not applying correctly and the inability to display multiple columns on mobile devices. Based on community support threads, this guide will explain why these issues occur and provide the most effective solutions.

Common Problem 1: Bricks Proportion Settings Not Working

The Issue: Users report that changing the 'Bricks proportion' setting for Works or Albums lists (e.g., to 1:1 for square images) has no effect. The images continue to display in their original proportions.

Why It Happens: This behavior is typically caused by a conflict. The most common culprits are other plugins that override the theme's styles or scripts, or custom CSS that is interfering with the theme's built-in functionality.

Common Problem 2: One Column on Mobile Devices

The Issue: For WooCommerce shop pages, album lists, or other brick-based layouts, users want to display two items side-by-side on mobile screens. However, the layout stubbornly remains a single column regardless of settings or custom CSS attempts.

Why It Happens: This is a design limitation of the Rife Free version. The option to control brick columns on mobile devices is a feature available in Rife Pro, not the free version. Attempts to overcome this with CSS can be complex because the theme's responsive design is built to stack columns on mobile by default.

Troubleshooting and Solutions

For Bricks Proportion Issues:

  1. Perform a Conflict Test: This is the most critical first step. Temporarily deactivate all plugins except for any essential 'Rife Free' extensions (like the Apollo13 Framework Extensions). If the proportion settings start working, you know a plugin conflict is to blame. Reactivate your plugins one-by-one to identify the specific one causing the issue.
  2. Check for Custom CSS: Review any custom CSS you have added to your site (e.g., in the Customizer, a child theme, or a plugin). Temporarily remove it to see if it resolves the problem. If it does, refine your CSS to avoid conflicts.
  3. Clear Caches: Clear any caching on your site, including server-level cache, plugin-based cache, and your browser cache, to ensure you are viewing the most recent changes.

For Mobile Column Issues:

  1. Understand Free vs. Pro Limitations: Be aware that the 'Rife Free' theme does not include a setting to change brick columns on mobile devices. Community support responses consistently indicate this requires custom code or an upgrade.
  2. Custom CSS (Advanced): Achieving a two-column layout on mobile in the free version requires writing advanced custom CSS. This is not a simple change and involves using media queries to override the theme's default mobile styles. It often requires testing on multiple devices to ensure it works correctly. Note: Community support representatives typically do not provide this custom code for the free theme.

If these steps do not resolve your issue, the 'Rife Free' community forums may have additional threads where users have shared their specific solutions and workarounds.

Related Support Threads Support