How to Fix Common Image Issues in WordPress

Images are a crucial part of any website. They help break up blocks of text, communicate ideas more effectively, and make your content more engaging. However, working with images in WordPress can also lead to some common issues that can negatively impact your site.

In this comprehensive guide, we will share the most common image problems that WordPress users face and how to easily fix them.

Uploading Images in WordPress

The first step to using images in your WordPress site is uploading them. Here are some tips on smoothly adding images to your WordPress media library:

• Use the Image block in the editor to upload images. Just click on the ‘+‘ icon and select ‘Image‘. Alternatively, you can type ‘/image‘ to add the block.

• You can upload new images from your computer or reuse existing ones from the media library.

• For new images, click on ‘Upload‘ in the block toolbar to select a file. For existing images, click on ‘Media Library‘ to browse and insert images.

• After inserting an image, you will see a preview in the editor along with options to add alt text, adjust size, etc.

• Make sure your images are optimized for web prior to uploading. Use tools like TinyPNG to compress large image sizes.

• The recommended image sizes are: Full size under 3000px width, Thumbnails under 600px width.

Uploading images directly in WordPress editor ensures they are embedded properly rather than linked. Follow these tips for smooth image uploads.

Aligning Images in WordPress

Aligning images allows you to position them left, right, or center with respect to the text. Here is how to align images in WordPress:

• Select the image block you want to align. Click the alignment icon in the toolbar.

• Choose left, center, or right align. You can also set wide or full alignments.

• For advanced alignment, use the Media & Text block. It allows you to align image and text side by side.

• The Media & Text block also lets you switch the position of text and image.

• To wrap text around images, simply align the image left or right. The text will automatically flow around it.

Proper image alignment makes your posts and pages more visually appealing. It also enhances readability by breaking up text.

Adding Image Captions in WordPress

Image captions help explain an image and provide context. Here is how to add captions to images in WordPress:

• First, insert the image block into your post or page. After uploading, you will see a caption field below the image.

• Simply enter your desired caption in this field. You can also edit it later.

• Captions should be short, usually a single sentence or phrase explaining the image.

• You can use the caption field for all individual images in your content.

• For image galleries, you need a gallery-specific plugin. The basic WordPress gallery does not support captions.

Don‘t forget to optimize your image captions for SEO with relevant keywords. Captions add useful context for readers.

Displaying Images in Columns and Rows

Showing images in organized layouts like columns and rows is easy in WordPress. Here are some tips:

• Use the Gallery block to neatly display multiple images in grids. Just upload your photos and WordPress will insert image galleries.

• You can customize the number of columns in your gallery. Find the setting under the Block tab in the sidebar.

• Choose from 2 to 8 columns in your gallery depending on how you want images laid out.

• The Gallery block only supports square thumbnails. For more control, use a gallery plugin like Envira, NextGEN, etc.

• These plugins allow you to create beautiful galleries with custom thumbnail sizes, masonry layouts, and more.

Displaying images in grids make them easier to view and scan than inserting them one by one.

Creating Responsive Image Galleries

While default WordPress galleries work fine, they lack advanced features. Here are some tips for creating better responsive image galleries:

• Use a dedicated gallery plugin like Envira Gallery for more features and responsive galleries.

• Envira Gallery allows you to create mobile-friendly galleries with captions, pagination, lazy loading, and more.

• It also offers add-ons like tags for filtering images, gallery templates, social sharing, and slideshows.

• Another good option is NextGEN Gallery. It has beautiful gallery layouts and lightbox for viewing images.

• NextGEN also has add-ons for ecommerce, proofing, protection, and more for photographers.

For the best gallery experience, avoid the basic WordPress gallery and use gallery-specific plugins instead.

Fixing Missing Featured Images in WordPress

Not displaying a featured image where one is expected is a common issue. Here is how to fix missing featured images:

• Open the post or page where you want to add a featured image. Go to the Featured Image section on the right.

• Click on ‘Set Featured Image‘ and upload an image from your computer. You can also reuse an existing image.

• Click ‘Set Featured Image‘ once you have selected your image. You will now see a preview in the featured image box.

• Make sure your theme supports featured images. Go to Appearance > Customize to verify. If not, you may need a new theme.

• If featured images are supported, double check you have set a featured image for all posts and pages as needed.

Featured images give readers a glimpse into your content. They should be set for all posts and pages where your theme displays them.

Adding Cover Images in WordPress

Cover images are full-width images that span the content width. Here is how to add them:

• Open the post or page where you want to add a cover image. Look for the Cover Image block in your editor.

• Click on the Cover Image block. Upload a new image or select an existing one from your media library.

• You will now see a live preview of the cover image in the editor. Adjust settings like focal point and dimming.

• Cover images look best when you select high-quality, large images. Smaller images may pixelate when expanded.

• You can also customize cover image appearance and add overlays from the block settings on the right.

Use cover images sparingly between sections. Too many will make your content look cluttered.

Fixing Double Featured Image

Sometimes users mistakenly insert the featured image into post content twice. Here is how to fix it:

• Open the affected post or page. Locate your duplicated featured image in the post content and delete it.

• Keep just one instance of the featured image set in the featured image box on the right.

• If you want to reuse the featured image inside the post content, make a copy and use the copy.

• Another option is to use a different variation of the image inside your post.

• For example, if your featured image is a landscape photo, insert a cropped portrait version in your content.

Avoid duplicating your featured images inside the post content to prevent them from displaying twice.

Cropping Images in WordPress

Cropping allows you to remove parts of an image. Here is how to crop images in WordPress:

• Go to your media library and open the image you want to edit. Click on the ‘Edit Image‘ button.

• This will launch the built-in image editor. Click on ‘Crop‘ to start cropping the image.

• Adjust the crop area handles to remove any parts of the image you do not need. Expand the crop box to zoom in.

• Click ‘Crop Image‘ to crop and save your changes. Use the ‘Undo‘ button if you make a mistake.

• Cropped images overwrite the original. If you want to save both versions, use ‘Save As Copy‘ instead of ‘Save‘.

The basic editor lets you make simple crops easily. For advanced editing, use a plugin like Adobe Photoshop Express.

Adding Header Images in WordPress

Header images span the top of your pages. Here is how to add one:

• First, make sure your theme supports custom header images. You can verify this under ‘Appearance > Customize‘.

• Go to ‘Appearance > Customize‘ and find the ‘Header Image‘ section. Upload or select a header image.

• Click ‘Publish‘ to save your changes. View your site to see the new header image.

• Consider the optimal header image size specified by your theme. An image that is too small or large may not fit well.

• You can also set a background color or random rotation of multiple header images based on your theme settings.

A relevant, high-quality header image helps capture your visitors‘ interest.

Adding Background Images in WordPress

Background images tile behind your content. Here is how to add one:

• Verify your theme supports background images under ‘Appearance > Customize‘. Look for the ‘Background Image‘ setting.

• Upload or select an image you want to use as the background image.

• Click ‘Publish‘ to apply the new background image. View your site to see the updated background.

• Pick an subtle, unobtrusive background image to avoid distracting visitors. Blurred images work best.

• Some themes also let you set a background color or pattern instead of an image.

Make sure your background images are muted and non-distracting so visitors focus on your content.

Finding Free Images for Your Blog

Finding legally shareable free images can be tricky. Here are some great sources:

• Pexels – Free stock photos licensed under the Pexels license, allowing both personal and commercial use.

• Unsplash – User submitted free images licensed under Unsplash license with flexible usage rights.

• Pxhere – Large library of free images licensed under CC0 Public Domain license.

• Pixabay – Vast collection of public domain images uploaded by users. Safe for both personal and commercial use.

• StockSnap.io – Hundreds of high resolution CC0 licensed stock images. Free from copyright restrictions.

• Burst – Free stock photos by Shopify. All images are released under CC0 license.

Always credit photographers when possible and do not use images with unclear usage rights.

Adding Tags to Images in WordPress

Adding tags to images helps organize and categorize them. Here is how to do it:

• Install the Envira Gallery plugin. It offers an Images Tags addon.

• The addon allows you to add tags while uploading images or bulk edit existing images.

• Visitors can then filter your gallery images by tags. This makes images easy to browse and discover.

• Another option is the Media Tags plugin. It lets you directly tag images in your media library.

• The Fotag plugin also allows direct media library tagging along with gallery filters.

Tags are extremely useful for photography blogs and sites with large image libraries.

Importing External Images to WordPress

Still linking to images hosted elsewhere? Here is how to import them:

• Install the Auto Upload Images plugin. It will import external images to your media.

• Click ‘Bulk Update‘ under the plugin settings to start importing all externally linked images.

• Alternatively, open each post/page and click ‘Publish/Update‘ to import those specific images.

• Upload an image one time only. Then reuse it using the media library instead of external links.

• Replace existing image links with the newly uploaded version for faster load times.

Importing cuts down on bandwidth usage and creates local backups of your images.

Requiring Featured Images in WordPress

Enforcing featured images for posts is possible with these steps:

• Install and activate the PublishPress Checklists plugin to enable required checklist items.

• Go to Settings > PublishPress Checklists. Click ‘Add New‘ to create a new checklist.

• Give your checklist a name like ‘Blog Post Requirements‘. Enable the ‘Featured Image‘ option.

• Save your new checklist. It will now be applied to all posts, requiring a featured image.

• Without a featured image, authors will see a notice and will not be able to publish.

Required checklists help ensure content guidelines are followed before publishing.

Setting a Default Featured Image in WordPress

Using the same image when posts lack a featured image helps maintain consistent appearance. Here is how:

• Install and activate the Default Featured Image plugin. Go to Settings > Default Featured Image.

• Upload or select an image you want to use as your default featured image for posts.

• Click ‘Use as default‘ to save your default image. It will now automatically substitute missing featured images.

• You can override by setting a specific featured image for a post. The default will only apply when a post has no featured image.

• Change the default image anytime under plugin settings.

A relevant default image keeps your home and archives visually consistent.

Creating Additional Image Sizes in WordPress

Need a custom image size for a theme element? Here is how to add them:

• Open your active theme‘s functions.php file. Look for an add_image_size function.

• Add your new image size with add_image_size( ‘name‘, width, height, crop);

• Use a unique name, desired width and height values, and crop setting. For example:

add_image_size( ‘banner‘, 780, 120, true );

• Upload a new image or re-upload old images. Your custom size will now be generated.

• Reference your image size by name in your theme code.

Custom sizes are useful for footer banners, sliders, or other theme elements with size requirements.

Preventing Image Theft in WordPress

Here are some tips to prevent other sites from stealing your images:

• Watermark all your images to prevent unauthorized use. Apply watermarks prominently but discretely.

• Disable right-click on images on your site to block saving images. This can easily be done with JavaScript.

• Disable hotlinking in your .htaccess file to prevent direct linking of your images.

• Add copyright notices visibly on your site to deter theft. Report copyright violators.

• Use thumbnail sizes for archive pages. Only reveal full sizes on single posts.

• Avoid sharing or emailing full resolution image files. Share lower resolution compressed versions.

Determined thieves can eventually bypass protections. Multiple measures in combination work best.

I hope this detailed guide helps you fix all the common image issues you may encounter in WordPress. Images make posts stand out, but can sometimes be tricky to manage. Refer to the tips outlined above to ensure your images always look their absolute best! Let me know if you have any other questions.