~Just the Facts~
ADDING AND CONFIGURING CHILD THEME FOR DIVI
written by Divi Dude
The mere idea of a child theme seems to strike the most fear into the casual WordPress theme user. I admit, I sat in a corner shaking and trembling when I first heard that I should add a child theme too. But you know what? You don’t have to be afraid. Because setting up a child theme to use with Divi is as easy as downloading a plugin and doing a few easy steps. For this Divi tutorial, I am going to use the plugin Child Theme Configurator. And while this is not a specific Divi plugin, I have found this free plugin works great with the Divi WordPress theme. So I use it.
Before we discuss the how, let’s discuss the why of why to use a child theme. Every time Divi updates with a new upgrade, it overwrites its files. So if you have made any custom changes to your files, such as social_icons.php or functions.php, then these changes will be overwritten. But when you create a child theme, then these files will not be overwritten when you make custom changes to your Divi site. So essentially you can update your theme without losing your customizations.
The how is pretty straight forward. I created a video that shows you how to do it.
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thank you for this: quick question: I built a Divi site on localhost with MAMP and forgot to use a child theme because it’s been a while since I’ve done a WordPress site. I have since added a child theme. If I have this correct, I did no customizations outside of Divi, meaning no extra CSS. Does that mean I’ll be okay if the theme updates? I just checked out editor, too, for the css file and there is nothing there.
do you still recommend I use the child theme configurator…or only if I add css?
thank you
gary
From your description, you should be okay. If in the future you do decide to update a file such as footer.php, then you’ll just need to make sure they are in your child theme directory. And I always use a child theme, because a) it’s a good habit to get into; b) stuff happens; and c) I have it in case I do want to customize my site and I prefer using the style sheet in my child theme rather than the one in the Options or Module panel.
thank you!!
Hi,
I’d installed Divi Child theme, then I try to enable the visual builder, unfortunately nothing happened. Is there something wrong with my setting or anything that I have to do with it?
I created the child theme using ” https://elegantmarketplace.com/child-theme-maker/ ”
Do you have any idea about this?
Sorry, I just found this in my spam folder. I’m guessing since you included a link it was flagged.
I have not used the child theme in question. I can say I have had no issues with the child theme I use in the video found on this page. With that being said, try shutting down plugins one at a time to see if there’s a conflict there. Usually I have found when something isn’t working like it’s supposed to, it’s the fault of a plugin. Otherwise, you may want to check with the folks at Elegant Marketplace.
I followed your instructions to the point of activating the child them. When I went to appearance> themes, though, the screen shot did not appear. I deleted and reinstalled the plugin, hoping that that would work, but now I have child them and child2 theme, but neither one has a screen shot that shows up. Please advise.
When you say the screenshot, you mean the little pic that shows the different themes, right? Did you create it as a jpg or png? Are you sure the dimensions are correct? I’ve used this for a number of Divi sites, and haven’t had the issue you are having. Have you tried turning off plugins to see if something else is interfering? Most times when I have a problem, I find there’s another plugin that isn’t playing well with others.
Gute Website. Vielen Dank.