How to Fix Gray Images in Shopify Collections and Homepages

By Tony Ng.
December 2nd, 2024

How to Fix Gray Images in Shopify Collections and Homepages

As a Shopify store owner, you might encounter various issues while managing your online shop. One particular problem many face is images appearing gray in collections or on homepages. This article outlines the steps to resolve this issue, explores its causes, and provides additional troubleshooting tips to ensure your images display correctly.

Identifying the Problem: Why Are Images Gray?

Gray images can be frustrating for both store owners and customers, as they might give the impression that products are unavailable or the store is experiencing technical difficulties. Identifying the root cause is crucial to resolving this issue effectively.

Potential Causes of Gray Images

CSS Properties: Incorrect CSS styling can cause images to appear gray. A common reason is the usage of CSS properties like opacity and filter that alter the image’s appearance.
Sold-Out Status: In some themes, sold-out items may automatically have a gray overlay to signify their status. This could lead to confusion if not configured correctly.
Theme or App Interference: Certain themes or applications can modify image display settings, resulting in the gray appearance.
Broken Image Links: If the image files are missing or incorrectly linked, browsers may display a placeholder gray box.
Server or Browser Caching: Cached versions of your website might show outdated styles, causing rendered images to appear incorrectly.

Detailed Steps to Solve Gray Image Issues in Shopify

Step 1: Inspect the CSS Code

Access Theme Code: Go to your Shopify Admin Dashboard. Navigate to Online Store > Themes.
Edit Code: Find the active theme and click on “Actions” then “Edit Code.”
Open the CSS File: Look for the theme.css file or similar (depending on your theme’s configuration).

Modify CSS: Add the following code snippet at the bottom of your CSS file to override any unwanted styles:

.product-layouts.grid-view-item--sold-out .thumbs.product-thumb a.grid-view-item__link {
    opacity: 1 !important;
    filter: none !important;
}

Save and Preview: Save your changes and preview your store to see if the issue persists.

Step 2: Check Image Links and Uploads

Verify Image Paths: Ensure all image paths are correct. Navigate to the product or collection in Shopify Admin and check that each image is displayed.
Re-upload Images if Needed: If an image link is broken, try re-uploading the image to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 3: Clear Browser or Server Caches

Clear Browser Cache: Ask users experiencing the issue to clear their browser cache.
Server Cache: If you’re using any caching apps or CDN services, clear the cache to ensure the newest version of your site is shown.

Step 4: Consult Shopify Theme Documentation or Support

Theme Documentation: Review the theme’s documentation for any built-in settings related to product or collection images settings.
Contact Support: If the issue persists, contact Shopify support or consult a developer familiar with your theme for further assistance.

Avoiding Similar Issues in the Future

Regular Updates: Always keep your theme and Shopify apps updated to benefit from the latest features and bug fixes.
Theme Custom Developments: Limit custom coding to necessary changes to reduce unexpected visual bugs.
Test Changes: Before applying major changes to the live site, test in a preview or duplicate theme environment.