BugWP logo BugWP
Back to Community
Home / Community / Plugin → Wp go maps (formerly wp google maps)

Troubleshooting: Why Your WP Go Maps Isn't Showing and How to Fix It

57 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Wp go maps (formerly wp google maps)

Content

One of the most common issues users face with the WP Go Maps (formerly WP Google Maps) plugin is the map not displaying on their website. Instead of the expected map, they often see a blank space, a container with no content, or just a single marker. This can be a frustrating experience, but the root cause is usually one of a few common conflicts or configuration errors.

Based on community support threads and troubleshooting experiences, here are the most frequent reasons for a missing map and the steps you can take to resolve them.

1. Check for the `wp_footer()` Hook

This is one of the most common solutions. Many WordPress plugins, including WP Go Maps, rely on the `wp_footer()` hook being present in your theme's `footer.php` file to output essential scripts. If this hook is missing or commented out, the map will not load.

How to fix it: Open your theme's `footer.php` file and ensure the line <?php wp_footer(); ?> appears just before the closing `</body>` tag. Save the file and clear any caching plugins you may be using.

2. Duplicate Google Maps API Calls

A frequent cause of map failure is the Google Maps API being loaded more than once on the same page. This often creates a JavaScript conflict, preventing the map from rendering. You might see an error in your browser's console (F12) like: "You have included the Google Maps API multiple times on this page."

How to fix it: The duplicate call is usually coming from your theme or another plugin. You will need to identify and disable the extra API call. Check your theme's `functions.php` file for any calls to `wp_enqueue_script` that load the Google Maps API. If you have another map plugin active, try deactivating it to see if that resolves the conflict.

3. Maps in Tabs or Hidden Containers

If your map is placed inside a tabbed interface or any container that is initially hidden (e.g., with `display: none;`), it will often fail to render correctly. The Google Maps API has difficulty calculating the dimensions of a hidden container.

How to fix it: You need to trigger a map refresh when the tab becomes visible. This typically requires custom JavaScript to re-initialize the map or trigger a resize event when the tab is clicked. The exact code will depend on your theme's tab implementation.

4. Incorrect Map Height

Sometimes the map is actually loading, but its container has a height of 0 or 1 pixel, making it invisible. This can happen if the height is set to a percentage value that doesn't have a clear parent container height to reference.

How to fix it: In your map's settings, avoid using a percentage (%) for the height. Instead, use a fixed pixel value (e.g., 450px). You can also add custom CSS to ensure the map container is visible:

.wpgmza_map {
    height: 450px !important;
}

5. Plugin or Theme Conflict

General conflicts with your theme or other plugins can prevent the map from loading without a specific error message.

How to fix it: Perform a standard conflict test. Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If the map appears, the issue is with your theme. If the map is still missing, deactivate all other plugins except WP Go Maps. If the map works, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

6. Browser-Specific Issues

In some cases, a map may not show in one browser but work in others. This is almost always due to browser extensions, aggressive caching, or specific JavaScript errors that are handled differently by each browser.

How to fix it: Open the browser's developer console (F12) and look for any red error messages. Try loading the page in a private/incognito window with extensions disabled. Clear your browser's cache and cookies for the site.

Summary: Your Troubleshooting Checklist

  • Verify <?php wp_footer(); ?> is in your theme's footer.
  • Check the browser console (F12) for API duplication or other JavaScript errors.
  • Switch to a fixed pixel height for the map.
  • Test for theme/plugin conflicts.
  • If the map is in a tab, investigate JavaScript reinitialization scripts.

By methodically working through these common issues, you can usually identify and fix the problem causing your WP Go Maps plugin to not display correctly.

Related Support Threads Support