Elementor Stuck on Loading or "Preview Could Not Be Loaded": How to Fix It

On this page

1. 1. Plugin conflicts
2. 2. PHP memory limit
3. 3. Outdated PHP or WordPress
4. 4. Site URL and SSL mismatch
5. 5. CDN or optimisation scripts
6. 6. Server security rules
7. 7. Editor loader method
8. 8. Theme problems
9. 9. Browser issues
10. Still stuck?

You click "Edit with Elementor" and the loading screen spins forever, the editor is blank, or you see "Preview could not be loaded". These problems are common, and usually caused by something around Elementor rather than Elementor itself.

1. Plugin conflicts

Elementor add-on plugins and other plugins that load scripts in the editor are the most common cause.

• Use Elementor's Safe Mode (in Elementor → Tools), which loads the editor without other plugins and your theme
• If the editor works in Safe Mode, deactivate plugins one by one to find the conflict
• Keep Elementor, Elementor Pro and add-ons updated together

2. PHP memory limit

The editor needs more memory than normal page views. If the memory limit is low, it can fail silently. Check Elementor → System Info for the WordPress memory limit, and ask your host to increase it if it's low.

3. Outdated PHP or WordPress

Check Elementor's current requirements and update PHP and WordPress if needed; see updating PHP.

4. Site URL and SSL mismatch

"Preview could not be loaded" often happens when WordPress and site addresses don't match, for example one uses http:// and the other https://, or www and non-www differ. Check Settings → General and make sure the whole site loads on HTTPS.

5. CDN or optimisation scripts

Script optimisation features, such as combining or delaying JavaScript, or CDN features that change how scripts load, can break the editor. Exclude the editor from optimisation, or temporarily disable those features to test.

6. Server security rules

Hosting firewalls (mod_security and similar) sometimes block the editor's requests, especially when saving. If saving fails or loading stalls, ask your host to check their firewall logs.

7. Editor loader method

Elementor has an advanced setting to switch the editor loader method, which can help on some server setups.

8. Theme problems

A theme that doesn't support Elementor properly can break the editor. Test by temporarily switching to Hello Elementor on a staging site; see best themes for Elementor.

9. Browser issues

Try another browser or a private window, and disable browser extensions like ad blockers that may block scripts.

Still stuck?

Check the browser console for errors and the server error log for PHP errors; they usually point to the cause. Or get help from an Elementor developer. Also see Elementor layout broken after an update.