The search engine no longer displays after a Webflow update; is this related?
Understanding and fixing the disappearance of the engine after going online
Key points ● Identify why the engine disappears after an update ● Check for deleted scripts, embeds, and settings ● Restore engine display on desktop and mobile ● Avoid errors in future releases
When a booking engine that was working perfectly suddenly stops displaying after a Webflow update, there's a good chance the two events are related. A change in the Designer, a deleted style, a moved script, or a malfunctioning interaction can prevent the engine from loading correctly.
This problem is common in hotel websites after a header redesign, mobile optimization, or a global update.
Why an update might prevent the engine from displaying
Here are the most frequent causes: ● Unintentional deletion or relocation of embed code ● Engine script deleted, duplicated, or placed in the wrong location ● New CSS conflict (overflow hidden, z-index, position) ● Webflow interaction that obscures the engine ● Iframe moved into an incompatible container ● Class change resulting in loss of essential styling ● Caching of the engine or Webflow page
💡 In 80% of cases, the engine disappears following a structural change or a missing script.
Essential checks to restore the display
1. Verify that the engine script is still present
After an update, some embed blocks may be: ● deleted ● renamed ● moved ● disabled by mistake
Check: ● the script in the site's Custom Code ● the embeds present in the header or on the relevant pages ● the configuration in the Settings page if the engine was injected there
💡 If you are using a script provided by your engine, make sure that it is in place in the recommended section.
2. Inspect the containers to spot a hidden overflow
If the engine is present in the DOM but invisible, it's often due to: ● a hidden overflow on a parent ● a fixed height that is too low ● a transformation applied in error
Quick test: ● Select the parent blocks and replace `overflow hidden` with `visible` ● Temporarily increase the height to check the display ● Test by removing the extreme padding
3. Check the Webflow interactions
A modified interaction can: ● hide the iframe ● move the widget off-screen ● apply an unwanted opacity of 0 ● prevent the script from running on load
Test: duplicate the page → remove all interactions → reload.
4. Test the display on a blank page
Create a new blank page and paste only: ● the engine script ● or the provided iframe
If the engine is displayed here, it proves that the problem comes from your structure, not the engine.
5. Check for errors in the browser console
An update can break a script and result in: ● a JavaScript block ● an unloaded resource ● a missing dependency
Open the inspector → Console → locate the errors in red.
6. Republish the site
The Webflow Preview does not load external scripts. Only the published version allows you to verify that the engine is actually working. Publish again to clear the caches and reload the scripts.
Best practices to prevent this from happening again
- Never modify the blocks containing the engine's scripts. ● Maintain a clean copy of the page before any major update. ● Document the exact position of embeds and scripts. ● Always test the engine after each publication. ● Limit complex interactions in the header or overlays.
💡 Tip: create a “safe container” dedicated to the engine, never modified during redesigns.
Conclusion
Yes, a booking engine that disappears after a Webflow update is very often related to this change. Fortunately, the problem is quickly resolved by checking the scripts, containers, animations, and widget integration. Following these steps will restore the display and ensure the security of your future listings.