Why Doesn't the Selected Variant Change the Product Photo on Shopify? A Guide by BemeApps

By Tony Ng.
February 27th, 2025

Why Doesn't the Selected Variant Change the Product Photo on Shopify? A Guide by BemeApps

Understanding the Issue: Variant Selection and Image Updates

In the world of e-commerce, especially when using platforms like Shopify, product variants play a crucial role in enhancing the shopping experience. Variants allow customers to choose different options like size, color, or style. However, a common issue arises when the selected variant does not change the product photo, leading to confusion and potentially affecting sales.

This blog post aims to dissect this problem, understand its causes, and provide a comprehensive solution to ensure a seamless user experience on your Shopify store.

Identifying the Problem

Symptoms of the Issue

The problem manifests when selecting a product variant does not update the product image as expected. Sometimes, a page reload might temporarily resolve the issue, but this is not a reliable solution for customers who may not reload the page.

Possible Causes

JavaScript Timing Issues: If your scripts are executed before all elements are fully loaded, it can cause functionality problems, including image updates.
Incorrect Function Initialization: The resetProductFormState function in your JavaScript file may not be correctly initialized, leading to errors.
Uncaught TypeError: Errors like Uncaught TypeError: productForm?.toggleSubmitButton is not a function suggest that some functions are not defined or executed properly.
Browser Caching: Cached scripts might not reflect the latest changes, causing inconsistent behavior.

Analyzing the Causes in Detail

JavaScript Timing Issues

When scripts run before the page is fully loaded, it results in timing issues. This is often the root cause when reloading the page resolves the problem temporarily.

Function Initialization Errors

The resetProductFormState function is supposed to manage the state of the product form. If this function is not initialized properly, it might cause issues with variant selection and image updates.

Handling Uncaught TypeErrors

Errors like Uncaught TypeError typically occur when a function is called on an undefined object. This suggests that the object productForm is not being properly initialized or is not available when the script runs.

Browser Caching Problems

Caching can cause older versions of scripts to run, which might not be compatible with the current state of your store, leading to inconsistent behavior.

Solving the Problem: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Ensure Proper Script Loading

Use DOMContentLoaded or window.onload to ensure scripts run after the page is fully loaded. This can prevent timing issues:

window.onload = function() {
  // Your script here
};

Step 2: Correct Function Initialization

Ensure that the resetProductFormState function is properly defined and initialized. If the function is unnecessary, it can be commented out to see if the issue resolves:

// resetProductFormState() {
//   const productForm = this.productForm;
//   productForm?.toggleSubmitButton(true);
//   productForm?.handleErrorMessage();
// }

Step 3: Debugging TypeErrors

Check if productForm is correctly initialized before calling any methods on it. Use console logs to debug:

console.log(productForm);

Step 4: Manage Browser Caching

Ensure that your browser and server settings allow for updated scripts to be loaded by clearing cache regularly or setting appropriate cache headers.

Additional Tips

Test your store on different browsers and devices to ensure compatibility.
Regularly update your Shopify theme and scripts to the latest versions.

Conclusion

By understanding the causes and implementing the solutions outlined above, you can ensure that your Shopify store functions smoothly, providing a seamless shopping experience for your customers. Addressing issues like variant selection not updating product photos is crucial in maintaining a professional and user-friendly storefront.

FAQs

Q: Why does my Shopify product image not change with variant selection?

A: This issue can be caused by JavaScript timing problems, incorrect function initialization, or browser caching. Ensure scripts are loaded properly and functions are correctly initialized.

Q: Can commenting out certain functions solve the issue?

A: Yes, if a function is not necessary and is causing errors, commenting it out might resolve the issue. However, ensure that this does not affect other functionalities.

Author: BemeApps AI