Solutions for Common Template Problems in Blogger

Blogger is a feature-rich platform. One feature it offers for free is adding Javascript/HTML to your blog template or even setting up a custom template. But there can be problems if you do modify a template. Here are the most common of them and their solutions:

1. BX Errors: BX-xxxxxx errors are most commonly seen when changing to a new template.

Solution: This problem occurs randomly. Most common solution is to clear your browser's cache and history. When switching from a custom template, this error is seen if your template uses some widgets that are hard coded into the template. Such template elements show up in the layout but when you click them to edit, they show up blank code. Sometimes, Blogger is not able to completely delete all of these and gives this error. One way is to delete these manually from the layout tab or use a browser other than FireFox as this problem is most commonly seen with FireFox. Opera is a good choice as in my case, it has always helped.

2. Missing Template Images: Custom templates use images which are hosted on photo-sharing websites. But these websites put restrictions on bandwidth usage and limit it. In the last few days of the month, the template may not show images.

Solution: Do your research. When deciding upon a custom template to use, make sure the images are hosted on a premium account of photo-sharing website as these accounts give unlimited bandwidth.

3. Parsing Problems: I have many times encountered beautiful templates I wanted to use. But when I copied the code, I was given an error: "Your template can not be processed as it is not well parsed........". This is irritating! Isn't it?

Solution: Whenever Blogger returns this error, a small description of the error is also given. For example, "The head tag must be closed with matching tag". You can either try to solve the problem by editing the code or simply select another template.

4. Browser Incompatibilities: Browsers, mostly Internet Explorer show weird problems with blogger templates. For example the margins and element layouts may be off. Backgrounds may not display as expected.

Solution: This problem has been noticed mostly with Finalsense's Blogger templates in Internet Explorer. So, if you are thinking to get a template from there, ditch the idea. To check your blog template with different browsers, use Browsershots.org. They can give you screenshots of your site for 70+ browsers from Windows, Linux and Mac OSX.

5. Feature Problems: When using custom templates. features may just not work. You try to customize through layout settings and surprise... No matter how and what you edit, no changes are reflected. We currently have problems with the post titles. Dates just do not show below them on this template.

Solution: Edit the code! There may no other solution except changing the template. There are tutorials online for some features like Star Ratings. Blogger Buster is good site for such tutorials. You can try going back to the site where you downloaded the template, but often problems go unanswered.

Have you also faced such problems? Or is there a different problem you have encountered? Tell us through the comments. Someone in the BWS community may be able to help you!