Can't get child theme CSS to override parent CSS for the life of me

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Can't get child theme CSS to override parent CSS for the life of me

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Started 1 year ago by MTPrower
Latest reply from MTPrower
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MTPrower
Member

I have a brand-new installation of WordPress. Actually, this is like the 12th reinstall. This is the third theme I've tried and I've read all the highly-SEO'd articles on creating child themes. I can't get a child theme's CSS to override the parent's CSS for the life of me, in any of the themes. Been trying for a week.

What I need is for a child theme to inherit all the CSS of a parent theme, but be able to have more CSS statements, which override, or add to, the parent theme CSS. I've been all over the web, trying to duplicate peoples' tutorials, and all I ever get is the parent theme's styling, no matter what theme is activated.

Please help. My site URL is http://www.sonicreboot.com It's recently been reinstalled from scratch, and has got two plug-ins installed, neither of which affect the theme. I've done extensive plugin-compatibility testing and cache clearing.

Posted 1 year ago #
helgatheviking
Moderator

you must not be setting up your child theme properly. any style rule that is for the same element (and comes later as is the case of a child) or is more specific will take precedence. that's how CSS works.

this is where i point people to get ground work on a child theme
http://www.catswhocode.com/blog/wordpress-how-to-easily-create-a-thematic-child-theme

also take a look in the thematic folder. there is a SAMPLE child theme already made for you. start with that.

--- edited to add---
i just took a look at your stylesheet. it looks correct. why don't you try to be more specific about what you are trying to change and we can probably help you better.

Posted 1 year ago #
MTPrower
Member

Holy crap I got it working. It apparently was already working, but it took me a close of the browser and a run of CCleaner. For some reason, a normal cache-clearing never did the trick.

Of course, this is the first time it ever worked. It took a new theme (Thematic) and a fresh site install. But it works! After a whole week. Gah, I'm so relieved.

Let's keep this topic open so I can easily address any remaining issues if they come up.

Posted 1 year ago #
MTPrower
Member

Alright, it updated again this morning. I make good CSS changes to the child theme, but they don't seem to show up for several hours at least. I clear my caches, restart my computer, run CCleaner, and start up my browser, but I have never gotten any changes until I do my morning boot-up. I asked my hosting if they cached my stuff, but they said they don't. They looked at my site for a while but say that it's not a problem on their side.

When does my CSS update and why? I need to find a way to force it to update on cue. CTRL + F5 doesn't do the trick...

Posted 1 year ago #
helgatheviking
Moderator

hmm... unfortunately i don't know what to say. that isn't a thematic-related problem. you seem to have some very aggressive caching going on. anything in your htaccess? using a caching plugin?

i did something once where i tacked on a timestamp in place of a version number to the main style.css. this meant that it essentially couldn't be cached b/c it will always have a new version number. not great long-term, but good while developing. this might help:

http://www.ovalpixels.com/blog/2010/08/29/adding-automatic-css-timestamp-to-a-thematic-child-theme/

Posted 1 year ago #
joperron
Member

Do you have caching plugin installed in WordPress? Disable it?

Posted 1 year ago #
MTPrower
Member

I have no caching installed. I have only two plugins installed for the time being: TheThe Sliding Panels and the WordPress Importer.

Posted 1 year ago #

helgatheviking
Moderator

found my version of the link i posted above

// filter thematic_create_stylesheet to implement your own stylesheets
function my_stylesheet($content) {
        $content = "\t";
        $content .= "<link rel=\"stylesheet\" type=\"text/css\" href=\"";
        $content .= get_bloginfo('stylesheet_directory') . "/style.css?". date(U);
        $content .= "\" />";
        $content .= "\n\n";

        // $content will be handed back to thematic_create_stylesheet
    return $content;
}
// connect the filter to thematic_create_stylesheet
add_filter ('thematic_create_stylesheet', 'my_stylesheet');

sidenote- i wouldn't try to do dev work on a live server, especially one that is doing such hard-core caching. i like working locally on XAMPP

Posted 1 year ago #

MTPrower
Member

I tried XAMPP and I can't seem to get a working installation of WordPress on it, even when I duplicate tutorials. Either I have really bad luck or I'm just stupid.

In order to do that suggestion you're... suggesting... do I just add the code you posted into my parent theme's header.php?

Posted 1 year ago #
helgatheviking
Moderator

NO. drop it into your CHILD'S functions.php

that is how child theming works. if you aren't clear on child theming then take a look at:
www.catswhocode.com/blog/wordpress-how-to-easily-create-a-thematic-child-theme

i'd try xampp again. i think i followed this one:
http://webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/installing-wordpress-locally

Posted 1 year ago #
MTPrower
Member

I finally figured it out! I forgot I was using CloudFlare. I didn't know they were doing "aggressive caching" of my site...

See, it's always something simple. Well, now I can get to making the coolest site theme I can possibly think of. Thanks everyone!

Posted 1 year ago #

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