You followed the recipe, gave it time, and still—your dough just sits there, heavy and lifeless. Before you give up or blame your sourdough starter, let’s troubleshoot. From sluggish cultures to kitchen temperature to over-proofing, this post walks you through the most common reasons sourdough doesn’t rise—and exactly how to fix them.

From pineapple juice starters to strict feeding schedules, sourdough advice is full of rules—and plenty of myths. In this post, we’re breaking down the sourdough “shoulds” that don’t actually matter and shining a light on the ones that do. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting info, this is the deep breath your starter (and your brain) needs.

So your sourdough starter looks flat, smells weird, or hasn’t bubbled in days. Before you toss it in a fit of floury despair, take a breath. Sourdough starters are hardier than they look—and more forgiving than most people think. This post breaks down the signs of life, the myth of “dead” starters, and what you can do to revive your sourdough culture with confidence.