In this case study, we address a common front-end issue in WordPress: a sticky header logo that resizes correctly when scrolling down but fails to return to its original size when scrolling back to the top. This subtle bug disrupted the visual flow of the site and negatively impacted user experience. Through careful inspection of CSS and JavaScript interactions, the Freshy team diagnosed and resolved the issue, restoring consistent header behavior across all devices.
Issue background
A sticky header is a hallmark of modern web design, providing users with persistent access to navigation and branding while they scroll. However, when the sticky element’s behavior breaks—such as a logo failing to resize properly—it can make the site feel unpolished or even broken.
In this instance, the site’s logo was designed to shrink slightly when the user scrolled down the page. While the shrink animation worked correctly, the logo failed to revert to its original size when the user returned to the top of the page.
Diagnosis
Our developers began by reviewing both the CSS and JavaScript responsible for the header animation. We found:
- Conflicting CSS selectors were overriding the intended “expanded” logo state.
- The JavaScript scroll listener used to toggle classes on scroll was not properly re-triggering when returning to the top.
- The sticky header logic did not fully account for certain viewport and responsive conditions, which caused inconsistent behavior on mobile devices.
This combination of style conflicts and incomplete logic prevented the logo from restoring its intended dimensions.
Resolution steps
- Review and isolate CSS rules: We identified redundant style declarations that prevented the “active” header class from restoring the logo size. These were refined to ensure that the correct styles were applied consistently.
- Update the JavaScript logic: The scroll detection function was rewritten to ensure the “expanded” class would toggle correctly when the user reached the top of the page.
window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {
const header = document.querySelector('.site-header');
if (window.scrollY > 50) {
header.classList.add('header-shrink');
} else {
header.classList.remove('header-shrink');
}
});
- Test across devices: The fix was tested on multiple screen sizes and devices to confirm consistent resizing behavior in both desktop and mobile environments.
- Deploy and validate: Once verified in staging, the fix was deployed to the live site. Post-launch checks confirmed that the logo now transitions smoothly in both directions without visual lag or scaling inconsistencies.
Final outcome
The adjustments restored full functionality to the sticky header. The logo now dynamically shrinks and re-expands as expected, maintaining both branding visibility and design integrity. The fix improved site aesthetics, ensured visual consistency, and enhanced user experience overall.
The client expressed satisfaction with the quick diagnosis and seamless resolution — a testament to Freshy’s expertise in front-end troubleshooting and attention to visual detail.
If you’re experiencing similar layout or animation issues on your WordPress website, our expert developers can help. Contact Freshy today to get professional support and optimization for your site.
