If an image appears to upload but the Media Library shows a blank tile, first establish whether the file exists and whether its URL loads. Permissions are one possible cause, not a diagnosis on their own.
Check the file and request
Try an authorised, non-sensitive test upload. Inspect the failed image request and the site’s error logs through an appropriate support route. A missing file, wrong URL, blocked request or failed image-processing step calls for a different fix.
Check ownership and permissions with the host
Files and directories have different permission requirements. A directory also needs the appropriate traversal access. The earlier blanket recommendation to set uploaded files and folders to 744 was not suitable for every environment and has been removed.
Ask the host to confirm the expected ownership and access for this installation. Do not recursively change permissions across a shared account, make everything writable or alter server-wide settings to see what happens.
Check application causes separately
If the file loads directly but not in the editor, check browser errors and a controlled plugin/theme conflict test on a backed-up development copy. Do not disable a live protection or delete the original media as a first response.
Existing explanatory screenshots are retained. For help with the diagnosis, explore WordPress support.
Sources and further reading
Guidance checked 26 October 2026: WordPress’s file-permission guidance.
Illustrations
