Displaying search results in a custom WordPress theme

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1

I’m stuck trying to get search results to show up in my custom WordPress theme. I’ve added the searchform.php to my header and created an empty search.php file. When I search, it takes me to a blank page.

I think I need to add something to search.php, but I’m not sure what. I’ve looked through the WordPress Codex but couldn’t find a clear answer.

Does anyone know what I need to do to make search results appear? Is there a specific function or query I should use?

Here’s my searchform.php code:

<form action="<?php echo home_url(); ?>" id="search-form" method="get">
    <input type="text" name="s" id="search-input" placeholder="Enter search terms">
    <button type="submit">Search</button>
</form>

Any help would be great. I’m really stuck on this!

2

hey grace, i had the same issue. you need to add the loop to search.php. try this:

<?php
if (have_posts()) :
    while (have_posts()) : the_post();
        // display post content
    endwhile;
else :
    echo 'No results found';
endif;
?>

this should display your search results. good luck!

3

Hey Grace, I’ve been through this exact headache before. The key is definitely in your search.php file. Here’s what worked for me:

First, make sure you’re calling get_header() at the top of search.php. Then, you’ll want to set up your main content area and include the WordPress loop. Something like this:

<?php get_header(); ?>

<main id="main-content">
    <h1>Search Results for: <?php echo esc_html(get_search_query()); ?></h1>

    <?php
    if (have_posts()) :
        while (have_posts()) :
            the_post();
            get_template_part('template-parts/content', 'search');
        endwhile;

        the_posts_pagination();
    else :
        echo '<p>No results found. Try a different search?</p>';
    endif;
    ?>
</main>

<?php get_sidebar(); ?>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

Don’t forget to create a content-search.php file in your template-parts folder to control how each search result is displayed. This approach gives you more flexibility in styling your results. Hope this helps!

4

Grace, I’ve encountered this issue before. Your search.php file needs to include the WordPress loop to display results. Here’s a basic structure to get you started:

<?php get_header(); ?>

<h1>Search Results for: <?php echo get_search_query(); ?></h1>

<?php
if (have_posts()) :
    while (have_posts()) :
        the_post();
        // Your theme's post display code here
        // For example: get_template_part('content', 'search');
    endwhile;
    the_posts_navigation();
else :
    echo '<p>Sorry, no posts matched your search.</p>';
endif;
?>

<?php get_sidebar(); ?>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

Customize this to match your theme’s structure and styling. Remember to create a content-search.php file if you use get_template_part().