This is What Causes a WordPress 404 Error for Some Image Files (And How to Fix It)
Have you ever uploaded an image to your WordPress website only to find that it's returning a 404 error when you try to access it? This can be a frustrating problem, but the good news is that it's usually fairly easy to diagnose and fix.
In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the common causes of the WordPress 404 error for images, and provide you with step-by-step solutions to get your images displaying properly again.
What Causes a WordPress 404 Error for Images?
There are a few main reasons why you might be experiencing a 404 error when trying to access some of your image files in WordPress:
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Incorrect file path: When you upload an image to WordPress, the platform automatically generates a URL for that image file. If that URL path is incorrect or has changed, it can result in a 404 error.
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File permissions: WordPress requires specific file permissions in order to properly serve your image files. If the permissions are set incorrectly, it can prevent the images from being accessed.
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Caching issues: Caching plugins or your web host's caching system can sometimes cache outdated versions of your images, leading to 404 errors.
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Corrupted image files: In some cases, the image file itself may be corrupted or damaged, which can prevent WordPress from being able to properly serve it.
Let's take a closer look at each of these potential causes and how you can troubleshoot and fix them.
Incorrect File Path
One of the most common reasons for a WordPress 404 error on images is an incorrect file path. When you upload an image to WordPress, the platform automatically generates a URL for that image based on the date it was uploaded and the folder structure of your media library.
For example, if you upload an image on March 1, 2023, the URL might look something like this:
“
If you or someone else has manually changed the file path or folder structure, it can break that URL and result in a 404 error when someone tries to access the image.
To fix this, you'll need to do one of the following:
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Restore the original file path: If you know the original file path, you can try to restore it. You can do this by manually moving the image file back to the correct folder in your media library, or by using a plugin like Media Cleaner to scan your media library and automatically fix any broken image URLs.
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Update the image URL: If you can't restore the original file path, you'll need to update the URL for the image in your WordPress content. You can do this by going to the post or page where the image is used, and updating the image URL to the correct path.
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Regenerate your image thumbnails: WordPress automatically generates different thumbnail sizes for each image you upload. If one of those thumbnail URLs is broken, it can cause a 404 error. You can use a plugin like Regenerate Thumbnails to recreate all of your image thumbnails and fix any broken URLs.
File Permissions
Another common cause of WordPress 404 errors for images is incorrect file permissions. WordPress requires specific file permissions in order to properly serve your image files.
The ideal file permissions for WordPress images are:
- Folders: 755 (rwxr-xr-x)
- Files: 644 (rw-r–r–)
If the file permissions are set incorrectly, it can prevent WordPress from being able to access and serve the image files.
To check and fix your file permissions, you can follow these steps:
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Connect to your WordPress server via FTP or SFTP: You'll need access to the server-side files in order to check and update the permissions.
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Navigate to the wp-content/uploads
folder: This is where WordPress stores all of your uploaded media files, including images.
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Check the file permissions: Use your FTP/SFTP client to right-click on the wp-content/uploads
folder and select "Properties" or "Permissions." Ensure that the folder has 755 permissions, and that all image files within the folder have 644 permissions.
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Update the permissions if necessary: If the permissions are set incorrectly, you can update them by right-clicking on the folder or file, selecting "Permissions," and setting the appropriate values.
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Clear your cache: After updating the file permissions, be sure to clear your browser cache and any caching plugins or services to ensure the changes take effect.
By ensuring that your WordPress image files have the correct file permissions, you can resolve any 404 errors caused by permission issues.
Caching Issues
Caching can also be a culprit when it comes to WordPress 404 errors for images. Both WordPress caching plugins and your web host's caching system can sometimes cache outdated versions of your images, leading to broken image URLs and 404 errors.
To troubleshoot and fix caching-related 404 errors, you can try the following:
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Disable any caching plugins: If you're using a caching plugin like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or Autoptimize, try temporarily disabling the plugin to see if that resolves the 404 error.
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Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, your own browser cache can cause issues with displaying the correct, up-to-date image files. Clear your browser cache and try accessing the image again.
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Purge your web host's cache: If your web host has a built-in caching system, you may need to log into your hosting account and manually purge the cache to ensure the latest version of your images is being served.
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Use a "no-cache" query string: You can also try appending a "no-cache" query string to the end of your image URLs to force the browser to load the latest version of the image. For example:
?no-cache
By addressing any caching-related issues, you can ensure that WordPress is serving the correct, up-to-date versions of your images and resolving any 404 errors.
Corrupted Image Files
In some rare cases, a WordPress 404 error for an image may be caused by a corrupted or damaged image file. This can happen if the file was uploaded incorrectly, or if there was an issue with the file during the upload process.
To troubleshoot and fix a corrupted image file:
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Download the image file: Right-click on the broken image in your WordPress content and select "Save image as" to download the file to your local machine.
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Inspect the image file: Open the downloaded image file on your local computer and check for any visual irregularities or errors. You can also use an online image validator tool to check the file for any corruption.
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Re-upload the image: If the image file appears to be corrupted, you'll need to replace it with a new, uncorrupted version. Delete the broken image from your WordPress media library, and then re-upload the new image file.
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Update any image URLs: After re-uploading the image, make sure to update any URLs or references to the old, broken image file within your WordPress content.
By replacing any corrupted image files, you can resolve any 404 errors caused by damaged or invalid media files.
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Conclusion
WordPress 404 errors for image files can be a frustrating issue, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can usually get to the root of the problem and fix it.
The most common causes are incorrect file paths, improper file permissions, caching issues, and corrupted image files. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can diagnose the issue and implement the appropriate solution to get your images displaying properly again.
Remember, if you're still having trouble identifying or resolving the 404 error, don't hesitate to reach out to your web host's support team or a WordPress developer for additional assistance.
And if you're looking for a powerful tool to help you identify and fix technical issues like these on your WordPress website, be sure to check out Flowpoint.ai. Flowpoint uses advanced AI and analytics to detect technical problems, user experience issues, and opportunities to improve your website's conversion rates.