WordPress Media Library Not Showing Images: Fix After Migration

You’ve done everything right. You’ve followed a site migration guide, moved all your files, and imported your database. The website appears to be working… until you check your Media Library. It’s empty. All your images are gone. You might panic, but don’t worry—this is a very common problem after a site migration. The image files are likely still on your server, but for some reason, they are not linked to your WordPress database. This guide will walk you through the precise steps to fix your WordPress media library not showing images after migration, complete with a troubleshooting checklist.

Understanding the Migration Problem

During a site migration, two key elements are moved: your website’s files (including images in the wp-content/uploads folder) and your database. The problem arises when the link between the two breaks. The database entries that tell WordPress where the images are located on the server either weren’t migrated correctly, or their URLs are still pointing to the old domain. This is often due to serialized data that wasn’t updated properly during the migration.

The good news is that the image files themselves are usually safe on your server. You can confirm this by using an FTP client like FileZilla to check your wp-content/uploads folder. If you see your images there, all you need to do is rebuild the database entries.

The Ultimate Fix: The Recovery Plugin

While there are manual methods to try, the most reliable and efficient way to fix this issue is with a specialized plugin. We recommend using a tool like Media Library Recovery because it automates the entire process, minimizing the risk of error.

Your WordPress Media Library Not Showing Images: A Step-by-Step Fix

Before you begin, always create a full backup of your website. This is a crucial safety net. Use a reliable backup plugin like Duplicator or UpdraftPlus.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Recovery Plugin

From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “Media Library Recovery,” install it, and activate it.

Step 2: Access the Plugin’s Interface

Once the plugin is activated, a new menu item will appear. Navigate to Media > Media Recovery.

Troubleshooting Your WordPress Media Library Not Showing Images

1. Run the Scan: The plugin’s interface will show you a list of images that exist in your wp-content/uploads folder but are not in your database.
2. Filter Results: If you have many files, use the plugin’s filters to show only the images that need to be recovered.
3. Select and Recover: Select all the images you want to recover. Then, click the Media Recovery button. The plugin will create new database entries for each image, linking them back to your Media Library.

Post-Fix Checklist

Once the plugin has completed its work, your images should be back in your Media Library. However, your work isn’t done yet. Some common issues might still exist. Use this checklist to ensure your site is fully functional.

• Check File Permissions: In some cases, incorrect file permissions might prevent WordPress from accessing the image files. Use your hosting provider’s file manager or an FTP client to ensure your wp-content/uploads The folder has permissions set to 755.
• Run a Search and Replace: Even after the images are back in your Media Library, some of your content (like posts and pages) might still be linking to the old domain. You will need to perform a search and replace to update all internal links. The built-in Elementor URL Replace tool or a plugin like Better Search Replace can help with this.
• Clear All Caches: Your site’s cache can be a major culprit for showing outdated information. Clear your caching plugin (e.g., WP Rocket), your server cache, and your browser cache to ensure you are viewing the most recent version of your site.
• Check .htaccess File: Incorrect mod_rewrite rules in your .htaccess The file could be causing issues. If you’ve migrated from a different server setup, you might need to regenerate your permalinks by going to Settings > Permalinks and clicking Save Changes.

Why This Fix is Better Than Manual Re-uploading

Trying to manually re-upload all your missing images is a bad idea. First, it’s incredibly slow. Second, it creates duplicate files on your server, wasting storage space. A recovery plugin correctly links the existing files to the database, ensuring you don’t end up with redundant copies of every image. It’s a clean, efficient, and safe solution.

A professional-grade solution can automate this entire process for you. The PRO version of Media Recovery provides faster bulk recovery and even includes backup features to prevent this issue from ever happening again.