Fixing broken image links in WordPress

Broken image links in WordPress occur when uploaded images don’t display correctly in posts or pages. Instead of the image, you may see a placeholder or a missing file icon. On ruachost.com, this issue is usually caused by incorrect file permissions or misconfigured paths.

Common Causes

• Incorrect file permissions on the wp-content/uploads directory.
• Images uploaded to the wrong directory.
• Migration errors (site moved without updating paths).
• Corrupted database entries pointing to missing files.

Step‑by‑Step Resolution

1. Check File Permissions

1. Log in to cPanel.

2. Open File Manager.

3. Navigate to:

   /home/username/public_html/wp-content/uploads

   (Replace username with your hosting account username.)

4. Ensure:

   • Directories are set to 755.
   • Files are set to 644.

5. Update permissions if necessary.

2. Verify Upload Path

• In WordPress, go to Settings → Media.

• Confirm that the upload path is set to:

  wp-content/uploads

• Correct the path if it points elsewhere.

3. Clear Cache

• If you use caching plugins (e.g., LiteSpeed Cache, WP Rocket), clear the cache.
• Also clear CDN cache if using Cloudflare or another provider.

4. Re‑Upload Missing Images

• If files are missing, re‑upload them via the WordPress Media Library.
• Update posts/pages to point to the correct image URLs.

5. Database Check (Advanced)

• Log in to phpMyAdmin.
• Open your WordPress database.
• Check the wp_posts table for entries with post_type = attachment.
• Verify that the guid field points to the correct image URL.
• Update incorrect entries if needed.

Note

• If WordPress was installed in a subdirectory or subdomain, the uploads folder will be located beneath that directory.
• Always back up your site before making changes.
• Use a plugin like Regenerate Thumbnails if image sizes are missing.