A desktop menu and a mobile menu can use the same WordPress menu items but completely different CSS and JavaScript behaviour. That is why a navigation problem can appear only below a certain screen width.
1. Confirm a menu is assigned
In Appearance → Menus or the Site Editor, verify the menu is assigned to the theme’s primary/navigation location.
2. Resize slowly through the breakpoint
Watch when the desktop links disappear and the hamburger appears. If both disappear, inspect the responsive CSS around that width.
3. Check whether the button exists but is hidden
Use browser developer tools to inspect the menu toggle. Look for display:none, zero opacity, an incorrect colour or an element sitting above it.
4. If the button appears but does nothing
Open the browser console and look for JavaScript errors. A failed optimisation, missing script or duplicate handler can stop the toggle.
5. Purge caches
After CSS or JS changes, clear plugin, hosting and CDN cache. Use our Hostinger cache guide for the order.
If more than the menu is broken, use the broader desktop-vs-mobile troubleshooting guide.
Mobile menu checklist
Use the symptom to choose the next check instead of changing several settings at once. Make one change, retest the exact URL, and keep a note of what changed.
| Symptom | What it suggests | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| Button missing | No hamburger/menu control | Check responsive CSS/header template |
| Button visible, no action | Tap does nothing | Check JavaScript and console errors |
| Menu opens empty | Container appears with no links | Check menu location assignment |
| Old menu | Changes appear only on desktop | Purge plugin/server/CDN caches |
Before you make a risky change
Take a current backup or restore point before editing configuration files, permissions, PHP settings or database URLs. Avoid deleting unrelated DNS, email, security or rewrite rules simply to see whether the problem disappears.
How to confirm the fix
Retest the exact public URL in a private browser window and, where relevant, on a second device or network. A fix is only confirmed when the original symptom is gone without creating a new error elsewhere on the site.
