Troubleshooting
CMS Not Updating
One of the most common issues when working with the Framer CMS is making changes to content but not seeing those updates appear on the live website.
Advanced
5 min read
This can happen for several reasons, including unpublished changes, CMS connection issues, caching, or configuration problems.
Fortunately, most CMS update issues are easy to diagnose and resolve.
This guide explains the most common causes of CMS content not updating and how to get your changes live.
How CMS Updates Work
The Framer CMS uses a publish workflow.
The process typically follows this structure:
If any step is missed, updates may not appear on the live website.
Most Common Causes
Changes Have Not Been Published
The most common cause is simply forgetting to publish after making changes.
Updating a CMS item does not automatically update the live website.
Always verify that you:
Save changes
Publish the project
Confirm publishing completed successfully
Editing the Wrong CMS Item
Large collections often contain many similar entries.
Before troubleshooting, verify that you’re editing the correct CMS item.
Check:
Title
Slug
Category
Collection
to ensure the correct content is being modified.
Content Is Not Connected Properly
CMS content only appears when fields are connected to design elements.
Example:
If the connection is missing or broken, updates may not appear.
Review all CMS bindings inside the layout.
Dynamic Page Not Connected
Dynamic pages depend on a CMS template.
If a page is disconnected from its collection, updates may not display correctly.
Verify:
Collection assignment
Dynamic page template
CMS field connections
Browser Cache Issues
Sometimes the website updates correctly, but your browser is still displaying an older version.
Try:
Refreshing the page
Hard refreshing the browser
Opening the site in a private window
Testing from another device
This often resolves apparent update issues.
Collection Item Is Unpublished
Some CMS workflows include draft or unpublished entries.
Verify that the CMS item is intended to appear publicly.
Review:
Publish status
Visibility settings
Collection configuration
CMS List Not Showing New Content
A CMS list may be working correctly while filters prevent content from appearing.
Review:
Filters
Categories
Tags
Featured status
Visibility conditions
Example:
A new item assigned to a different category will not appear.
Sorting Is Hiding Content
Sorting rules can make new content appear lower in the list than expected.
Examples:
Oldest first
Alphabetical sorting
Manual ordering
Review sorting settings before assuming content is missing.
CMS Fields Are Empty
A connected field cannot display information that doesn’t exist.
Verify that required fields contain content.
Examples:
Title
Featured Image
Rich Text Content
Category
Empty fields may result in blank sections on the page.
Dynamic Page URL Issues
Sometimes content exists but the URL is incorrect.
Review:
Slugs
Dynamic page settings
URL structure
Example:
instead of:
Incorrect slugs can make content difficult to locate.
Recently Added CMS Collections
New collections may require:
Layout connections
CMS lists
Dynamic page templates
Simply creating a collection does not automatically display content on the website.
Third-Party Data Sync Issues
If your CMS receives content from external services, synchronization problems may prevent updates.
Review:
Integrations
Automation tools
Import settings
API connections
Verify that new content is reaching the CMS successfully.
Troubleshooting Checklist
If CMS content is not updating, verify:
Changes were saved
Website was published
Correct item was edited
CMS fields contain content
Dynamic pages are connected
Filters are not hiding content
Sorting rules are correct
Browser cache is cleared
Slugs are configured properly
Most CMS issues can be identified using this checklist.
Testing CMS Updates
A good testing workflow includes:
Update a CMS item
Save changes
Publish the website
Open the live website
Verify the update appears
Testing immediately after publishing helps identify issues quickly.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Forgetting to Publish
This is the most common CMS issue.
CMS edits remain in draft mode until published.
Editing the Wrong Collection
Content may be updated successfully but inside the wrong collection.
Always verify collection names carefully.
Overlooking Filters
Content often exists but is hidden by filtering conditions.
Review CMS lists whenever content appears missing.
Ignoring Mobile Testing
A CMS update may appear correctly on desktop but create layout issues on mobile.
Always test multiple screen sizes.
Expecting Instant Browser Updates
Cached versions can make it seem like updates failed.
Refresh the browser or test from another device.
Best Practices
Publish after every important CMS update
Use clear collection names
Keep field structures organized
Review filters and sorting regularly
Test dynamic pages after updates
Verify content on desktop and mobile
Optimize images before uploading
Review live pages after publishing
Final Thoughts
Most CMS update issues are caused by unpublished changes, filtering conditions, caching, or disconnected CMS fields rather than problems with the CMS itself.
By following a consistent publishing workflow and reviewing connections, filters, and dynamic page settings, you can quickly identify the source of the problem and keep your content updating reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my CMS content showing on the live website?
The most common reason is that the website has not been republished after making changes.
Do CMS updates require publishing?
In most cases, yes. Changes made in the CMS need to be published before appearing on the live site.
Why does my CMS item exist but not appear in a list?
Filters, categories, sorting rules, or visibility conditions may be hiding the item.
Why can I see updates on one device but not another?
This is often caused by browser caching. Refresh the page or test using a different browser.
Why is my dynamic page blank?
The CMS fields may be empty, disconnected, or linked to the wrong collection.
Related Articles
Updating CMS Content
Connecting CMS to Design
Dynamic Pages Explained
Filtering CMS Items
Sorting Content
Updating Your Live Site
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