If your store locator isn't showing a map, don't panic. It's almost always one of a few simple things. This guide covers the most common causes and how to fix them.

Check your API key first

The most common reason for a map not loading is a missing or invalid API key. Head to your Map Provider settings and make sure your Google Maps API key or Mapbox access token is entered and saved.

If the field is empty, you'll need to create one. Follow our guide for Google Maps or Mapbox.

Google Maps: common fixes

All four APIs need to be enabled

Google Maps requires four separate APIs to be turned on in your Google Cloud Console. If even one is missing, the map can fail silently. Make sure these are all enabled:

Maps JavaScript API (renders the map)
Geocoding API (converts addresses to coordinates)
Geolocation API (detects visitor location)
Places API (New) (powers the address search)

Important: Google replaced the original "Places API" with "Places API (New)". These are two separate entries in the API Library. If you set up your key before this change, you may have the old one enabled but not the new one. You need to disable the old "Places API" first, then enable "Places API (New)" in the API Library. Having both enabled at the same time can cause conflicts.

Your domain needs to be in the allowed list

If you restricted your API key to specific domains (which you should), make sure your website is listed. Go to Google Cloud Credentials, click your key, and check the HTTP referrer list. Add your domain in this format: *yourdomain.com/*

Don't forget to also add *storerocket.io/* so the preview in your dashboard works.

Billing needs to be enabled

Google requires an active billing account even if you stay within the free tier. If billing isn't set up, the map won't load at all. Go to Google Cloud Billing and link a billing account to your project.

Map shows as a gray box (no tiles, only markers)

This usually means only the Maps JavaScript API is enabled but the others aren't. The map container renders but Google can't load the map tiles properly. Go to your API Library and make sure all four APIs are enabled.

Mapbox: common fixes

Check your access token

Go to Map Provider settings and verify your Mapbox token is correct. You can find your token at mapbox.com/account/access-tokens.

Make sure the token has the right scopes enabled. The default public token works fine for most setups.

"Can't find variable: mapboxgl" error

This means the Mapbox GL JS library failed to load. Check that your website isn't blocking external scripts. Try in an incognito window. If you're on Shopify, make sure the embed code is in a Custom HTML section, not a text block.

"Store locator is loading..." stuck

If you see the message "Store locator is loading from StoreRocket Store Locator App..." and it never goes away, the widget script failed to load. A few things to check:

Are you using the latest embed code? Go to Widget > Install and copy the embed code again. Older versions may not work correctly.
Is something blocking the script? Ad blockers, privacy extensions, or your website's Content Security Policy can prevent external scripts from loading. Try in an incognito window with extensions disabled.
Check the browser console. Right-click the page, select "Inspect", go to the Console tab. Look for red error messages, they usually point to the exact problem.

"For development purposes only" watermark

This Google Maps watermark means billing isn't active on your Google Cloud account. Go to Google Cloud Billing, link a billing account, and the watermark will disappear. You won't be charged unless you exceed 10,000 map loads per month.

Map was working but suddenly stopped

This happens more often than you'd think. Common causes:

You republished your website. Platforms like Webflow and Squarespace can strip the embed code when you republish. Check that the StoreRocket code is still on the page and re-add it from your Install page if needed.
Your domain changed. If you switched from www to non-www, moved to a new domain, or changed your Shopify theme, update your Google Maps API key referrers in the Google Cloud Console.
Google billing expired. Check that your billing account is still active at Google Cloud Billing. Credit cards expire and payment methods can fail.
Your subscription lapsed. Check your Billing page to make sure your StoreRocket subscription is active.

Platform-specific issues

Shopify

Widget not loading after a theme update? The embed code may have been removed. Re-add it from your Install page. Also make sure your API key referrers include *admin.shopify.com/* and your store domain.

Squarespace

Squarespace uses Ajax page transitions that can prevent scripts from running. If your widget loads on direct page access but not when clicking through your site navigation, disable Ajax loading in Squarespace settings.

Webflow

The widget won't show in Webflow's Designer preview. You need to publish and check the live site. If it disappears after republishing, re-paste the embed code.

WordPress

Security plugins (Wordfence, iThemes) and caching plugins (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache) can interfere. Whitelist cdn.storerocket.io in your security plugin and clear your cache after making changes.