{"id":27601,"date":"2024-08-14T12:23:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T06:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codexpert.io\/?p=27601"},"modified":"2026-05-18T10:32:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T04:32:57","slug":"wordpress-featured-image-not-showing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codexpert.io\/blog\/wordpress-featured-image-not-showing\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Solutions to WordPress Featured Images Not Showing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Images are more than just visuals; they’re the backbone of your website’s success. A compelling image can be the difference between a casual visitor and a loyal customer. However, even seasoned WordPress users can encounter frustrating issues, such as missing or broken featured images. This can disrupt your website’s aesthetic and damage the user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This blog will guide you through six effective solutions to restore your featured images and maintain your website’s visual appeal. Let’s get into it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons Why Your WordPress Featured Image Isn\u2019t Showing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into the solution, let’s identify the issues behind the WordPress featured image not showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme Compatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your current theme might not support featured images or may have issues rendering them correctly. Check your theme documentation or support forums to ensure they support WordPress-featured images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plugin Conflicts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Conflicts between plugins can cause featured images to not display properly. Try to deactivate all your plugins and reactivate them one by one. This will help you identify the plugin that is causing this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"deactivate-all-plugins\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you find the culprit, consider finding an alternative or contact the plugin developer for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrong Image Size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using incorrect image sizes that do not fit the theme\u2019s requirements can result in the image not showing. You need to match the recommended dimension for your theme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this, you can check out the theme guide for WordPress images<\/a> to figure it out. You need to resize your images accordingly and reupload them if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cache Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cached versions of your website might prevent featured images from displaying as intended. You may need to clear your browser cache to ensure that you\u2019re viewing the most recent version of your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"clear-cache\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Missing Feature in Theme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some themes might not have the necessary code to support images. Add the following code to your theme\u2019s functions.php<\/strong> file to enable featured images – <\/p>\n\n\n\n

add_theme_support('post-thumbnails');<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
6 Methods to Fix WordPress Featured Images Not Showing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Method 1: Identify HTTP Errors and Resolve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
HTTP errors such as 404 or 403 can prevent images from loading. There are two ways to resolve this issue – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Decrease your Site Image File Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Start with the simple method of decreasing your WordPress image file size. To decrease the image size, you need to convert your images to WebP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use a free WordPress plugin<\/a> to convert unlimited images to WebP to do this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Increase WordPress Memory Limit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Contact your host support regarding the site featured image not showing. They could help you increase your WordPress memory limit to store images better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Method 2: Disable Lazy Loading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your website\u2019s featured images are not showing properly or loading very slowly, the lazy loading feature in WordPress may be responsible for this. You can remove the lazy loading feature from your WordPress file. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to turn off lazy-loading by default for template images, simply add the following code to your theme\u2019s functions.php<\/strong> file –<\/p>\n\n\n\n
function disable_template_image_lazy_loading( $default, $tag_name, $context ) {

if ( 'img' === $tag_name && 'wp_get_attachment_image' === $context ) {


    return false;


}

return $default;

}

add_filter(

'wp_lazy_loading_enabled',
'disable_template_image_lazy_loading',
10,
3

);<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Method 3: Use Proper Configuration for WordPress Images<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Configure dashboard settings for how featured images will appear on your posts. Follow the below steps to adjust your WordPress dashboard settings – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Login to the Dashboard<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Login to your WordPress site dashboard. From the left-hand sidebar, hover on the Settings<\/strong> option and select Media<\/strong> from the dropdown menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Media-Settings-WordPress\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Set WordPress Media Settings Image Sizes<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
By default, WordPress generates multiple image sizes (thumbnail, medium, and large). You\u2019ll find two options (Image Sizes<\/strong>, and Uploading Files<\/strong>) on the Media Settings<\/strong> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The typical default dimensions are – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Thumbnail size<\/strong>: 150 * 150 pixels
Medium size<\/strong>: 300 * 300 pixels (maximum width and height)
Large size<\/strong>: 1024 * 1024 pixels (maximum width and height)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
You can change these dimensions by updating the values for each of the respective sizes. Finally, set the settings by clicking the Save Settings<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Set Up Reading Configuration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
After adding the settings for images, go to the Reading<\/strong> sub-menu from Settings<\/strong> option. Enable the option for each post in a feed, include is set to Full Text<\/strong> instead of Excerpt.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Reading-Settings-WordPress\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Check your website posts again if you still have the issues available in your posts and archives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Method 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Access FTP or cPanel<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Go to your site directory via FTP or cPanel and open the wp-config.php<\/strong> file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Add PHP Memory Limit Snippet<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Open your wp-config.php<\/strong> file and add the following snippet to increase PHP Memory Limit. Add in the line that says – <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\/* That\u2019s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. *\/\n\ndefine('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
You can increase the limit range as per your preference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Configure php.ini File<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If you find the image is too big to upload, locate the php.ini<\/strong> file in your directory and increase the values for upload_max_filesize<\/strong> and post_max_size<\/strong> for maximum upload size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Method 5: Adjust File Permissions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Open the Directory File via FTP<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If the previous method doesn\u2019t work, open your FTP or cPanel and right-click on the Uploads<\/strong> folder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Update File Permission<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
From the dropdown menu, select file permission and set the permission value to 744<\/strong>. You can reset the file permission on the permission window setting the value to 644<\/strong>, which is the default settings for resetting file permissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Change-File-permision\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Finally, apply the changes you made. Now get back to your post’s featured image and refresh the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Method 6: Use CDN For WordPress Images<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) can help to display images more efficiently and can resolve some loading issues. If you\u2019re using a CDN, make sure it’s properly configured and synced with your WordPress site. Always ensure that the CN cache is clear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, if you\u2019re not using CDN, consider implementing one to improve image delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid Common Mistakes for WordPress Featured Images<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dealing with featured images in WordPress can be frustrating, especially when they don\u2019t upload correctly or fail to display. Let\u2019s explore some common mistakes that might cause these issues –<\/p>\n\n\n\n