Website Works on Mobile but Not Desktop? What to Do

Problem Statement – Clear & Direct

You can access a website on your phone, but when you try to open it on a desktop or laptop, it doesn’t load correctly—or doesn’t load at all.

This usually points to a browser, device, or desktop-specific issue—not the website itself.

Common Symptoms

• Website loads fine on mobile but not on desktop

• Page partially loads or appears broken on desktop

• Desktop browser shows an error while mobile works

• Buttons or content don’t appear on a computer

• Refreshing doesn’t fix the problem

If the site works on mobile, the website itself is likely online.

Why This Happens

This issue can occur when:

• The desktop browser cache is corrupted

• A browser extension interferes with the page

• The desktop browser is outdated

• Screen resolution or zoom settings cause layout issues

• The website has a desktop-specific compatibility problem

Most of these issues are local to the desktop device.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Step 1: Refresh the Page and Restart the Browser

Start with the simplest reset.

• Refresh the page

• Close the browser completely

• Reopen it and try again

Temporary glitches often resolve this way.

Step 2: Try a Different Desktop Browser

This helps isolate browser-specific problems.

• Open the site in another browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)

• Use a Private or Incognito window

If the site loads there, the issue is likely browser-related.

Step 3: Clear Desktop Browser Cache

Old files can prevent pages from loading properly.

• Clear cached images and files

• Restart the browser

• Reload the website

This step resolves many desktop-only issues.

Step 4: Disable Browser Extensions Temporarily

Extensions can block scripts or content.

• Disable ad blockers or privacy extensions

• Reload the page

If the site loads, re-enable extensions one at a time to identify the cause.

Step 5: Check Zoom and Display Settings

Display settings can affect how pages load.

• Reset browser zoom to 100%

• Try resizing the browser window

This helps rule out layout or scaling issues.

Step 6: Update the Desktop Browser

Outdated browsers may not support modern websites.

• Check for browser updates

• Install the latest version

• Restart and try again

When This Doesn’t Work

If the website still doesn’t load properly on desktop:

• The website may have a desktop compatibility issue

• The site owner may need to fix the layout or scripts

• The issue may resolve after an update

There’s usually nothing more you can do on your end.

Final Tip

If a website works on mobile but not on desktop, the problem is usually local. Testing one change at a time helps you avoid unnecessary fixes.