What is the possible reason for the glitchy movement of fixed, fullwidth background images when scrolling with a trackpad in Safari on the provided Webflow site?

Published on
September 22, 2023

There could be a few possible reasons for the glitchy movement of fixed, fullwidth background images when scrolling with a trackpad in Safari on a Webflow site. Here are some of the common causes and potential solutions:

  1. GPU Rendering: Safari uses GPU rendering to provide smooth scrolling and animations. However, certain configurations or bugs in Safari's GPU rendering can cause issues with fixed background images. Try the following solutions to resolve the glitchy movement:
  • Disable Hardware Acceleration: Sometimes, disabling hardware acceleration in Safari can help. To do this, go to Safari preferences, click on the "Advanced" tab, and uncheck the box for "Use hardware acceleration when available."

  • Update Safari: Ensure that you have the latest version of Safari installed. Apple regularly releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance.

  1. CSS Transforms and Transitions: Background images set to fixed positions may interfere with CSS transforms and transitions, leading to glitchy movement. Consider the following steps to address this issue:
  • Avoid CSS Transforms: In some cases, applying CSS transforms to the same element as the fixed background image can cause conflicts. Try removing or modifying any transform properties applied to the element.

  • Optimize CSS Transitions: If you have CSS transitions applied to the element, modify the transition properties to optimize performance. This could involve limiting the transition effects or specifying specific properties to animate.

  1. Browser Compatibility: Safari, like any other browser, may have its own rendering quirks and issues. It's important to test your site across multiple browsers and devices to identify any specific compatibility issues. Consider the following steps:
  • Cross-browser Testing: Check your site's performance and appearance on different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) to see if the glitchy movement is specific to Safari or a more general issue.

  • Progressive Enhancement: Apply progressive enhancement techniques where you tailor your site's implementation to different browsers. This may involve using feature detection libraries or writing browser-specific CSS rules to target Safari specifically.

  1. Image Size and Optimization: Large or unoptimized image files can impact performance, causing glitchy movement when scrolling. Here are a few optimization techniques:
  • Compress Images: Use image compression tools or Webflow's built-in image optimization settings to reduce file size without significant loss of quality.

  • Resize Images: Ensure the size of your background images matches the dimensions they are being displayed at. This will prevent unnecessary resizing calculations during scrolling.

  • Use Image Format Optimization: Choose the appropriate image format, such as JPEG or PNG, depending on the content. For example, use JPEG for photographs and PNG for graphics with transparency.

By addressing these potential causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to improve the scrolling experience and resolve the glitchy movement of fixed, fullwidth background images in Safari on your Webflow site.

Additional Questions:

  1. How can I optimize Webflow sites for smooth scrolling in Safari?
  2. What are the best practices for using fixed background images in Webflow?
  3. What are some other common browser compatibility issues in Webflow and how can they be resolved?