I wanted to change the TYsTIPS.com’s favicon (the tiny image associated with a web site’s name/url). It turns out that there are a lot of posts about how to do this, but the method has changed for the newest version of WordPress.org (currently version 2.5.1) so the old methods don’t work. Also, this only works if you are using WordPress.org, WordPress.com users don’t have access to the necessary files to make this change - sorry!

Here’s my generic favicon in Internet Explorer:

Favicon_Generic_IE.JPG

And here’s my generic favicon in Firefox (notice Yahoo’s nice little favicon - I’ve got favicon envy!).

Favicon_Generic_FF.JPG

Changing your favicon in WordPress 2.5.1 isn’t hard, you just have to make sure you’re following the proper directions for your version of WordPress. So, for WordPress version 2.5.1 here’s the steps:

  1. Upload your favicon to folder of the WordPress theme you are using (if you don’t have a favicon yet, click here to learn how to make yourself a custom favicon).
    • As you can see, I’m using the “wptp-chocolate theme” and you can see the favicon.icon file residing within the “wptp-chocolate” folder located at /wp-content/themes/wptp-chocolate/.

    2. Upload_to_theme_folder.JPG

  2. Once you’ve uploaded the favicon.icon file, insert this code into your header.php file somewhere between the <head> and </head> tags. Note - click the screen shot for a larger image.header.php_file.JPG

Here’s the line of code. Copy and paste it exactly as it appears below (don’t change anything!) into your header.php file:

<link rel=”shortcut icon” href=”<?php bloginfo(’template_directory’); ?>/favicon.ico” />

If you’re using WordPress 2.5.1 and you’ve uploaded your favicon.icon file to the right spot, you should be all set (after saving the changes to the header.php file). Navigate to your webpage and force-reload the page (Ctrl+F5). Your new favicon should appear. Here’s mine :)

Favicon_FF.JPG

Notice how both the address bar and the tab show the new favicon. One more thing, in the past there have been plugins available to help you change your favicon. If these steps look intimidating try searching for a WordPress favicon plugin (be sure to find one that’s compatible with your WordPress version). You may be able to update it using a plugin instead. But these steps are pretty simple so give them a try before adding another plugin to your site. After all, the more plugins you install, the more chance you’ll have conflicts with plugins breaking other plugins. Oh, and if you have a theme switcher or you regularly change your WordPress theme, make sure you add the new favicon to each of the themes you will be using, otherwise when you change your theme the favicon will disappear!

Well, that’s it! Have fun with your new favicon!

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