How To – Fix broken icon image in Media library and pages/posts – cPanel

Hi.

I’ve seen alot of posts related to this issue on other sites. I had this problem and want to share the solution.

Problem:

Suddenly my Media Library images were just a bunch of broken image icons. Oddly enough I could click on the image and edit it and then see the image but it did not show on my site or when just viewing the Media Library.

I HAD NOT installed any plugins for months and I tested disabling and re-enabling all my plugins as is standard problem solving methodology.

Solution:

I was a knucklehead and had gone to cPanel and enabled Hotlink Protection. This blocked direct access to files types: jpg,jpeg,gif,png,bmp. That was the culprit. I disabled it and I was back in business.

Also, make sure your directory permissions are 755 and file permissions 644. There are some postings on other sites that say if 755 doesn’t work set the directory file permissions to 744. Also unsuccessfully did that before fixing the hotlink issue.

Sorry but I will not be able to respond to replies to this posting due to time constraints.

Hope this helps someone.

Jerry