Why some highlights are not shown on this page
Learn why ZetaMarker may fail to paint saved highlights and how to fix it with Retry or a page refresh.
What the message means
When you open a page, ZetaMarker tries to re-apply your saved highlights on the text. Sometimes one or more cannot be painted. The extension shows a toast like:
N highlights not applied.
Tap Why? on the toast to open this article. Your highlights are not lost — they remain in storage and usually appear in the sidebar and dashboard even when they are missing on the page.
This is not the same as…
| Other message | Different problem |
|---|---|
| Refresh after cloud sync | Cloud sent a large update; page needs reload |
| Sync conflicts | Page changed elsewhere; editing is blocked |
| Can't highlight here (page structure issue). | The site layout prevents anchoring new highlights (separate toast) |
Common causes
The page changed since you highlighted
Websites update articles, fix typos, or load content dynamically. If the HTML no longer matches what was saved, anchors may break.
Lazy-loaded or infinite-scroll content
Text that appears only after you scroll may not exist when highlights are first applied. Scroll through the article, then tap Retry.
Single-page apps (SPAs)
Sites that rewrite content without a full reload can confuse timing. A full refresh after the app finishes loading usually helps.
Paywalls, reader modes, and print views
If what you see is not the same as the saved URL (paywall overlay, reader mode), highlights may not align. Use normal browsing mode on the same URL.
Unusual page structure
Very custom layouts or heavy scripting can limit anchoring. Most news sites and blogs work normally.
What to try
- Tap Retry on the toast — ZetaMarker tries to apply highlights again.
- Scroll through the full article, then Retry again if content loads late.
- Refresh the page (F5) once loading is complete.
- On long pages, wait briefly — the extension may show a progress message while applying many highlights.
- If the article changed heavily, re-highlight the passage manually.
The toast closes automatically after a few seconds if you do nothing; you can open the sidebar to access highlights anytime.
Still stuck?
Your highlights remain in the sidebar and dashboard. Copy text from a highlight card, or delete and recreate highlights on the updated page.
Contact support@zetamarker.com with the page URL if Retry never works on a site you rely on.