Replacing a WordPress theme does not guarantee that the browser immediately receives the new CSS, PHP output or assets. Caching is common, but it is not the only explanation.
Check the active theme first
Go to Appearance → Themes and confirm the theme you replaced is active. If you have similarly named copies, check which directory WordPress is actually using.
Purge cache in layers
Clear LiteSpeed or your active cache plugin, then Hostinger/server cache and CDN cache if enabled. Hostinger explains that these layers are separate in its cache documentation.
Confirm the changed file belongs to this template
WordPress can render a category archive, front page, single post and custom post type through different PHP templates. A correct edit in the wrong template will have no visible effect.
Check generated/minified assets
If the PHP changed but styling did not, a cached or minified CSS file may be older than the theme file. Purge optimisation caches and inspect the stylesheet URL in browser developer tools.
Use a harmless version marker
During development, increment the theme version when assets change. Versioned stylesheet URLs help browsers recognise that a new file should be requested.
When the symptom is simply stale content, use the full changes-not-showing checklist.
Theme update 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong version | Theme screen shows another active theme | Activate/replace the intended theme |
| Old CSS | HTML changed but styling did not | Purge generated/minified CSS |
| Wrong template | Only one page type is unchanged | Check WordPress template hierarchy |
| Cache | Private window differs from normal browser | Purge browser/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.
