QAlaunch

Wix button works in preview but not on the live site

When a Wix button behaves in Preview but not on the published site, check how its link is set first: a link to the page rather than to an anchor reloads the page instead of scrolling. A target page restricted to members sends visitors to a login or another page, and Velo code with its own click handler can override the button’s link. Fix the link, republish, and test the live URL in a private window.

Opens your site in a real browser on desktop and phone. Free, about two minutes, no signup. Full report from $19.

What you'll see

A button or anchor link scrolls to the right section in Preview, but on the live site it reloads the page from the top, lands on the wrong page, or does nothing. Logged-out visitors may be sent somewhere else entirely, while you, logged in, see it working.

Why it happens

1. The link points to a page, not an anchor

Choosing “Page” and then the current page in the link panel tells Wix to load that page again. It looks the same in some previews but reloads on the live site. An anchor on a different page or missing at one breakpoint has the same effect.

2. The target page is members-only

Pages set to members or paid plans redirect anonymous visitors to a login screen or fallback page. As the site owner you pass that check, so the button seems fine when you test it.

3. Velo code fights the link

If a button has both a link in the editor and an onClick handler in Velo that navigates with wixLocation, the two compete, and the result can differ between Preview and live.

4. The change was never published

Editing a link does nothing for visitors until you publish, and a browser holding an older version can keep showing the old behaviour for a while.

How to fix it

  1. In the editor, click the button and then the link icon. Choose “Anchor”, pick the page the anchor lives on and select the exact anchor name. Avoid linking to the page itself when you mean a section.
  2. Confirm the anchor element exists and is visible at every breakpoint; in Wix Studio an anchor attached to an element hidden on mobile has nowhere to scroll to.
  3. Open the Pages panel, click the three dots next to the target page and choose Settings > Permissions. If it is restricted to members, decide whether that is intended and point public buttons elsewhere.
  4. If Velo is enabled, search the page code for an onClick on that button. Use either the editor link or wixLocation.to() in code, not both.
  5. Publish, then test the live URL in a private window on desktop and on a phone, signed out.

How to check it's fixed

  • Click each button on the live site and confirm the URL or scroll position changes to the intended target, on desktop and on mobile.
  • Repeat in a private window while signed out, to see exactly what a new visitor sees on a restricted page.

What a QAlaunch scan shows for this

  • Clicking the primary call-to-action on the live site and reporting when it leads nowhere or ends on an error.
  • Links that return 404 or time out, checked as an anonymous visitor.
  • Desktop and phone screenshots, so a button that is hidden or misplaced at one size is visible.
  • The scan visits as a signed-out visitor, which is useful here: it sees the members-only redirect you never see as the owner.

See exactly what a full report contains in the sample report.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my anchor link reload the page?

Most often the link type is Page rather than Anchor. Wix then loads the page again from the top instead of scrolling. Re-select the link as an Anchor and republish.

Can I link to an anchor on another page?

Yes. In the link panel choose Anchor, pick the other page from the dropdown and then the anchor. Wix opens the page and scrolls to that section.

How long after publishing should the change show?

Usually right away. If it does not, open the live site in a private window to rule out your browser holding an older version before digging further.

Done for you · not automated

Rather have a QA engineer test it by hand?

If this is a site you're launching or handing to a client, I'll go through it by hand, including the Wix-specific issues a scan can't reach, like logged-in flows.

$299one-time · 3 business days
  • Up to 10 key pages tested by hand, not a scan
  • Every flow a customer uses: forms, sign-up, checkout, booking
  • Real mobile and desktop browsers
  • A written report in plain language, with screenshots
  • A 15-minute call to walk you through it
  • 10 years of professional QA experience

Tell me about your site and I'll reply personally, usually the same day.

No payment now. I'll confirm scope and price first.

Related fixes

More for Wix: all Wix fixes

Written by Waqas Ahmad, QA engineer with 10 years of professional testing experience. Last checked October 26, 2026.

Sources: Wix Studio forum: anchor links work in preview but not live · Wix Studio forum: button working in preview but not published