Why Is My Custom Default Avatar Not Showing?

If your Custom Default Avatar is not showing, the most common reason is that another avatar source has higher priority or the Custom Default Avatar is not enabled correctly.

1. Make sure the Custom Default Avatar is enabled

1. Go to Authors > Settings.
2. Open the General tab.
3. Find the Author Avatar Settings section.
4. Make sure Use a custom default avatar is enabled.
5. Make sure an image is selected.
6. Save the settings.

2. Check whether the author has a Local Avatar

If Local Author Avatars are enabled and the author has a Local Avatar configured, that image normally takes priority over the Custom Default Avatar.

With the standard avatar configuration, the usual priority is:

Local Avatar → Gravatar → Custom Default Avatar

The Custom Default Avatar is only used when no higher-priority avatar is available.

3. Check whether the author has a Gravatar

If Gravatar is enabled and the author has a Gravatar associated with their email address, the Gravatar will normally be displayed before the Custom Default Avatar.

This is expected behavior.

4. Check whether the author has an email address

If the author has no valid email address, Molongui Authorship skips Gravatar automatically.

In that case, if no Local Avatar is available, the Custom Default Avatar should normally be used directly.

5. Check whether Gravatar is disabled

When Gravatar is disabled globally, Molongui Authorship removes it from the avatar resolution process.

For example, with Local Avatars and the Custom Default Avatar enabled:

Local Avatar → Custom Default Avatar

If the author has no Local Avatar, the Custom Default Avatar should be displayed.

6. Check Author Box settings

The Author Box can use its own avatar source and fallback settings.

If the Author Box is configured with an explicit fallback such as Acronym or None, that behavior can take precedence over the normal global fallback chain inside the Author Box.

Review the Author Box avatar settings under Authors > Settings.

7. Check shortcode settings

If you are using Molongui Authorship Pro, the [molongui_author_avatar] shortcode can explicitly control the avatar source and fallback.

For example:

[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="none"]

will not use the Custom Default Avatar if no Gravatar is available.

Likewise:

[molongui_author_avatar source="gravatar" default="acronym"]

will display an acronym instead of the Custom Default Avatar when Gravatar is unavailable.

8. Make sure the selected image still exists

If the image previously selected as the Custom Default Avatar has been deleted from the WordPress Media Library, Molongui Authorship cannot display it.

Return to Authors > Settings > General and select a valid image again.

Still not seeing the Custom Default Avatar?

Check the following:

• The Custom Default Avatar option is enabled.
• A valid image is selected.
• No Local Avatar is taking priority.
• No Gravatar is available with higher priority.
• The Author Box is not using an explicit fallback such as Acronym or None.
• The shortcode is not explicitly requesting another fallback.