Hotjar is a powerful tool for understanding user behavior on your website through heatmaps, recordings, and feedback polls. However, new users often encounter setup issues that can hinder data collection. This guide highlights common Hotjar troubleshooting problems and provides quick solutions to get you back on track.

Common Hotjar Setup Issues

1. Missing Tracking Code

One of the most frequent problems is not installing the Hotjar tracking code correctly on your website. Without this code, Hotjar cannot track user activity.

2. Incorrect Placement of the Tracking Code

The tracking code should be placed just before the

</body> tag in your HTML. Placing it elsewhere can prevent data from being recorded properly.

3. Conflicting Scripts

Other scripts or plugins might interfere with Hotjar's code, causing it to malfunction. Always check for conflicts if Hotjar isn't working as expected.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix Common Issues

1. Verify the Tracking Code Installation

Use your browser's developer tools to check if the Hotjar script is present on your pages. You can also use the Hotjar Chrome extension to verify installation.

2. Ensure Proper Placement

Place the tracking code immediately before the closing

</body> tag in your website's HTML or through your CMS's header scripts section.

3. Check for Script Conflicts

Disable other scripts temporarily to see if Hotjar starts working. If it does, re-enable scripts one by one to identify the conflict.

4. Confirm Hotjar Settings

Ensure your Hotjar account is active, and the correct site ID is used in the script. Double-check your site URL matches your Hotjar settings.

Additional Tips for Smooth Setup

  • Clear your browser cache after making changes to the code.
  • Use the Hotjar Debugger tool to troubleshoot issues in real-time.
  • Consult Hotjar's official documentation for detailed instructions.
  • Reach out to Hotjar support if problems persist beyond basic troubleshooting.

By following these steps, you can resolve most common Hotjar setup issues quickly and start collecting valuable user insights to improve your website.