Masking in Figma is a handy feature for cropping and shaping content, but sometimes it doesn’t behave the way you expect. If you’ve ever applied a mask and nothing changes—or worse, the content disappears entirely—you’re not alone. Masking issues in Figma are usually caused by layer order, grouping, or visibility settings. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix the most common reasons why masks aren’t working as expected.
1. The Mask Layer Isn’t on Top
✅ The Problem
Figma masks only work when the masking shape is above the content it’s meant to mask.
✅ The Fix
Make sure your mask shape is the topmost layer in the group or frame:
- Drag it above all other layers in the Layers panel.
- Reapply the mask by selecting both layers and hitting Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + M or Right-click > Use as Mask.
📌 Masks affect all layers beneath them, so order matters!
2. The Mask Has No Fill
✅ The Problem
A mask shape without a visible fill won’t mask anything—even if it’s the correct shape and position.
✅ The Fix
- Select the mask layer.
- Go to the right-hand Fill section and ensure there’s a visible color or gradient applied.
- Transparent or missing fills = broken masks.
3. The Layers Aren’t Grouped Properly
✅ The Problem
If your mask and content layers aren’t in the same group or frame, the mask might not apply correctly or at all.
✅ The Fix
- Select both the mask and the content.
- Group them using Ctrl/Cmd + G or Right-click > Group Selection before masking.
This keeps everything in a shared context so Figma can apply the mask.
4. Masked Content Is Hidden or Clipped
✅ The Problem
Sometimes the layer being masked is outside the mask area, or the group is clipping content, making it look like the mask didn’t work.
✅ The Fix
- Turn off “Clip content” in the right-hand panel if it’s hiding things unnecessarily.
- Adjust the size and position of your masked image to make sure it’s inside the mask bounds.
5. You’re Trying to Mask a Component or Instance
✅ The Problem
Masks behave differently (or may not work at all) when applied directly to components or instances.
✅ The Fix
- If possible, detach the instance (
Right-click > Detach Instance) before applying a mask. - Alternatively, apply the mask inside the component itself at the master level.
6. You’re Editing in the Wrong Layer Mode
✅ The Problem
Sometimes you’re editing inside a nested frame or component and mistakenly apply a mask at the wrong level, breaking its intended effect.
✅ The Fix
- Use outline view (Shift + O) to examine layer structure and make sure the mask is applied in the right context.
- Flattening or cleaning up nested frames can help resolve complex mask conflicts.
Final Thoughts
When masks don’t work in Figma, the culprit is usually something simple: layer order, fill visibility, grouping, or clipping settings. By double-checking these areas, you can quickly fix most issues and get back to designing. With a little practice, masks become a powerful tool for cropping, layering, and visual storytelling in your Figma workflows.
Designilo 