Why You Can’t See “Templates” in the WordPress Page Editor (And How to Fix It)

If you're working with a custom WordPress theme and wondering “Why don’t I see the Template dropdown in the Page Editor?”, you're not alone. This is a common confusion, especially when working with Gutenberg (block editor) and classic PHP-based themes.

In this article, we’ll explain why it happens, and exactly how to fix it.

What Is the Template Dropdown?

The Template dropdown in the Gutenberg sidebar lets you assign a specific layout to a page — like a homepage layout, a landing page, or even a blank page without a header/footer.

You’ll find it here:

Go to Pages > Edit Page
In the right sidebar → Under the “Page” tab → Look for “Template”

If it’s missing, here’s how to bring it back.

Common Reasons You Can’t See the Template Option

1. Your Custom Template File Isn’t Detected

For WordPress to detect a custom template:

• The PHP file must be in your theme’s root folder

• The file must start with a specific comment block:

<?php/** * Template Name: Homepage with Banner & 3 Columns */

✅ Make sure it’s not inside folders like template-parts/ or template/.
❌ WordPress won’t scan subfolders for page templates.

2. You’re Editing a Post, Not a Page

Custom templates are available only on Pages, not Posts.

If you're editing a post, you won’t see the “Template” option at all.

3. You’re Missing Theme Basics

Your theme must be correctly registered. Check that your theme includes:

• style.css with proper theme header

• functions.php

• index.php

Your style.css must start with this (adjust to your theme name):

/*Theme Name: My Custom ThemeAuthor: YouVersion: 1.0*/

4. The Template Panel Is Hidden in Editor Preferences

In some cases, the “Template” panel is hidden. You can re-enable it:

• Open the Gutenberg Editor

• Click the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner

• Choose Preferences → Panels

• Turn on ✅ “Template”

5. You’re Using a Block Theme (FSE)

If your theme has a theme.json file and no page.php, you may be using a Full Site Editing (FSE) theme.

These themes handle templates differently — through the Site Editor (Appearance > Editor), not through PHP template files.

To check:

• If you see “Editor” under Appearance, you’re in an FSE/block theme

• Consider switching to a classic theme if you're working with PHP-based layouts

How to Fix It -

1. Create a custom template in your theme’s root:

   <?php/** * Template Name: Custom Landing Page */get_header();the_post();the_content();get_footer();

2. Save it as:
   📁 /wp-content/themes/your-theme/page-custom.php

3. Go to Pages > Add New or Edit existing

4. In the sidebar under “Template” → Choose Custom Landing Page

5. Save and view the page!

Developer Tip: Keeping Templates Modular

You can use the main template file just to load modular parts like:

<?php/** * Template Name: Homepage with Banner & 3 Columns */get_template_part('template-parts/header');get_template_part('template-parts/banner');get_template_part('template-parts/three-columns');get_template_part('template-parts/footer');

Just remember — this page-home.php must still live in the root of your theme.

Conclusion

The “Template” option is a powerful WordPress feature — but it only appears when you follow the right file structure and conventions.

If it's missing:

• Check your file location and naming

• Confirm you're editing a Page, not a Post

• Ensure your theme is properly structured

Once it’s in place, your page templates will show up automatically — no plugin needed.