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Troubleshooting WP Go Maps Shortcode Issues: Maps Not Displaying Correctly

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

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Encountering issues with your WP Go Maps (formerly WP Google Maps) shortcode is a common frustration. The map might not appear at all, it might load incorrectly, or it might only work in certain areas of your site like a widget but not in a page. This guide will walk you through the most common causes and their solutions, helping you get your maps back on track.

Why Your Map Shortcode Might Not Be Working

Based on community reports, the failure of a [wpgmza id="1"] shortcode to display a map typically falls into a few categories:

  • JavaScript Conflicts: Other plugins or your theme loading incompatible scripts.
  • Incorrect Shortcode Usage: Using the shortcode in a context where the necessary scripts haven't loaded.
  • API Issues: Problems with the Google Maps API key (if using that engine) or the API being loaded multiple times.
  • Shortcode Syntax Errors: Using a shortcode from a different plugin or an incorrect format.

Common Solutions to Try

1. Check for JavaScript Errors

This is the most frequent cause of maps not displaying. A JavaScript error from another plugin or your theme can halt all subsequent scripts, preventing the map from rendering.

How to troubleshoot:

  1. Open your browser's console (F12 on most browsers, then click the "Console" tab).
  2. Load the page where your map should be.
  3. Look for any error messages highlighted in red.
  4. If you see an error, note which file it comes from (e.g., a specific plugin's JavaScript file).
  5. Temporarily deactivate the plugin or theme component causing the error to confirm it resolves the map issue.

2. Verify Correct Shortcode Usage

Ensure you are using the correct shortcode format for this specific plugin, which is [wpgmza id="1"], where "1" is your map ID. Using a shortcode from a different map plugin (e.g., [put_wpgm id="1"]) will not work.

When using the shortcode directly in PHP (e.g., in a theme template file), ensure it is placed after the wp_head() function and before wp_footer() to guarantee all necessary scripts are loaded. Simply echoing do_shortcode() in the footer or a very early hook might execute before the plugin is ready.

3. Look for Multiple Map APIs

If you have other map-related plugins active, they might also be loading the Google Maps API, causing a conflict. The WP Go Maps plugin requires exclusive control over the API loading process. Deactivate any other map plugins to see if this resolves the issue.

4. Understand Shortcode Limitations

  • Same Map Twice: The plugin does not support displaying the exact same map ID on a single page more than once.
  • In Admin Areas: The plugin loads different scripts for the front-end and admin areas. Using a front-end shortcode in an admin page requires custom code to enqueue the correct scripts, which is not natively supported.
  • In Info Windows: Shortcodes are not processed within map marker info windows. This is a technical limitation because info window content is fetched asynchronously with JavaScript after the page has already loaded, when WordPress's shortcode processing has already finished.

Conclusion

Most shortcode issues with WP Go Maps can be resolved by systematically checking for JavaScript conflicts and ensuring the shortcode is used correctly. Start with the browser console to identify any script errors, as this is the most likely culprit. For more complex use cases, like dynamic maps or usage in admin panels, custom development work is typically required, as these fall outside the plugin's standard functionality.

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