Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to the questions we hear most often about Image Hover Effects Ultimate. If your question isn’t here, check the other documentation sections or reach out through the plugin’s support channel.
Getting Started
Q: Is Image Hover Effects Ultimate free?
Yes, there’s a fully functional free version available on WordPress.org. The Pro version unlocks additional effect layouts, full typography control, Google Fonts, dynamic content, and priority support. See our Free vs Pro comparison for the full breakdown.
Q: Do I need to know how to code?
No. The entire plugin is designed to work without any coding. You create and customize everything through the visual admin panel and embed effects with a simple shortcode. However, if you do know CSS, you can use the Custom CSS option for additional control.
Q: Will it slow down my website?
No, the plugin is built to be lightweight. It only loads its CSS and JavaScript on pages where you’ve placed the shortcode. Pages without hover effects load zero extra assets. Additionally, settings for Font Awesome, Waypoints, and Google Fonts can each be disabled if you don’t need them, reducing the total page weight further.
Q: How many hover effects can I create?
Unlimited. You can create as many styles as you need and use them on as many pages as you like.
Effects & Features
Q: How many hover effects are available?
The plugin includes 500+ hover effect layouts across 11 effect categories: General (33), Square (22), Caption (31), Button (11), Flipbox (29), Lightbox (2), Magnifier (2), Comparison (4), Display (1), Filter (2), and Carousel (3). Some layouts are Pro-only.
Q: Can I use the same hover effect on multiple pages?
Yes. Each style you create has a unique shortcode. You can paste that shortcode on any number of pages, posts, or widget areas — the same style will appear everywhere.
Q: Can each image in a gallery link to a different URL?
Yes, but this requires the Pro version. In Pro, each image item has its own URL field. In the free version, all images in a style share the same link behavior.
Q: Does the plugin work with animated GIFs?
Yes — animated GIFs can be uploaded and used as images in your hover effects. The hover overlay appears over the GIF just as it would over a static image.
Q: Can I use video instead of images?
The plugin is image-focused and doesn’t natively support video as a hover trigger. For video hover effects, you’d need custom CSS/JS or a dedicated video plugin.
Q: Can I duplicate (clone) a style to use as a starting point?
Yes. The Image Hover Ultimate admin list includes a Clone option next to each style. Cloning creates an exact copy with a new ID that you can customize independently.
Compatibility
Q: Does it work with Elementor?
Yes. Use the Shortcode widget in Elementor and paste the hover effect shortcode. See our Elementor integration guide for details.
Q: Does it work with WPBakery / Visual Composer?
Yes, and it has a built-in native element for WPBakery — no shortcode pasting needed. See our WPBakery guide for details.
Q: Does it work with Divi, Beaver Builder, Bricks, or other builders?
Yes — any page builder that supports shortcodes (which is virtually all of them) will work with Image Hover Effects Ultimate. Add the builder’s shortcode module and paste the hover effect shortcode.
Q: Is it compatible with WooCommerce?
Yes. You can add hover effects to product images, create product showcase galleries, and embed shortcodes inside WooCommerce pages or product descriptions.
Q: Does it work on WordPress Multisite?
Generally yes, though some database-level features may behave differently per-site. Test on your specific Multisite setup before deploying.
Q: What WordPress version is required?
WordPress 6.2 or higher is required. PHP 7.4 or higher is also required.
Mobile & Responsive
Q: Do hover effects work on mobile phones?
Yes. The plugin includes touch support. By default, the first tap shows the hover effect, and the second tap follows the link. You can change this in Settings so a single tap immediately follows the link.
Q: Can I show different column counts on mobile vs desktop?
Yes. The layout settings include responsive column controls for desktop, tablet, and mobile separately.
Q: The hover effect looks wrong on small screens — how do I fix it?
Reduce the number of columns in the mobile responsive settings, and shorten your title/description text. For more detail, see our Responsive Layout Settings guide.
Troubleshooting
Q: The shortcode shows as plain text on my page — why?
Either the plugin is deactivated, or you’re in the wrong editor mode. In Gutenberg, use a Shortcode block. In the Classic Editor, switch to Text mode before pasting. Check that Image Hover Effects Ultimate is activated in Plugins.
Q: The hover effect shows but animations aren’t playing
This can be caused by a CSS optimization plugin stripping or reordering the animation CSS. Try adding the plugin’s CSS files to your optimizer’s exclusion list. Also check if your browser has “Reduce Motion” enabled in system accessibility settings.
Q: Icons are not showing in my Button overlay effects
Enable Font Awesome Support in Image Hover Ultimate → Settings. Also verify the icon class name format is correct (e.g., fa fa-heart for Font Awesome 4, or fas fa-heart for Font Awesome 5+).
Q: Can I export my hover effect styles to another WordPress site?
The plugin stores styles in custom database tables. Direct export between sites requires a database-level operation or the plugin’s import/export functionality if available. Check the plugin’s admin for any Export option.
Q: I updated the plugin and now my effects look different — what happened?
Plugin updates sometimes change CSS or layout behavior. After a major update, check your effects on the frontend. If something changed, review the changelog in Image Hover Ultimate → Changelog and adjust settings accordingly.
Purchasing & Licensing
Q: How many sites can I use the Pro license on?
License terms vary by the plan you purchase. Check the Account for current licensing options (single site, unlimited sites, etc.).
Q: What happens when my Pro license expires?
Your existing hover effects continue to work, the plugin doesn’t stop functioning. However, you won’t receive automatic updates or support until the license is renewed.
Q: Can I upgrade from free to Pro without losing my data?
Yes. Installing the Pro version over the free version preserves all your existing styles, images, and settings.