How to Fix Broken Media Links After Website Migration

When you run a WordPress website, images and media files are one of the most important elements of your content. They make blogs attractive, explain concepts visually, and improve user experience. But sometimes, after migrating your website or changing the hosting/server, you may notice a frustrating issue: broken media links.

If your images are not showing and you see empty boxes instead, it usually means that the uploads folder is not set correctly or there was a migration error. Let’s explore why this happens and how you can fix it.

Why Do Broken Media Links Happen?

There are a few common reasons:

1. Uploads Folder Path Issue
   WordPress stores all images inside the /wp-content/uploads/ folder. If the folder path is incorrect or missing, images won’t appear.

2. Incorrect File Permissions
   Sometimes, the hosting server blocks media files because of wrong permission settings.

3. Migration or Domain Change Errors
   If you moved your website to a new host or changed your domain, old image URLs may still point to the previous server or domain.

4. Database Mismatch
   Image links are saved inside the WordPress database. If they don’t update during migration, media files may break.

How to Fix Broken Media Links in WordPress

Here are simple steps to solve the problem:

1. Check the Uploads Folder Path

• Go to your WordPress Dashboard.

• Navigate to Settings > Media.

• Make sure the folder path is correctly set to /wp-content/uploads/.

2. Verify File Permissions

• Connect to your website via cPanel or FTP.

• Open the wp-content/uploads folder.

• Set folder permissions to 755 and files to 644.

• This ensures that WordPress can display your media files properly.

3. Update Image URLs

If you changed your domain or migrated hosting:

• Install a plugin like Better Search Replace.

• Search for the old domain and replace it with the new one.

• This will update all media file links inside your database.

4. Regenerate Thumbnails

Sometimes thumbnails break during migration. Use the Regenerate Thumbnails plugin to fix them.

5. Clear Cache

If you are using a caching plugin or CDN, clear the cache so the correct images load.

Extra Tips to Avoid Broken Media Links

• Always take a full backup before migration.

• Use trusted plugins like All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator for moving your site.

• Test your site on a temporary URL before pointing it to the live domain.

Final Thoughts

Broken media links can make your website look unprofessional and frustrate your visitors. Thankfully, the issue is usually easy to fix once you know where to look. By correcting the uploads folder path, updating URLs, and checking permissions, you can restore your images and keep your content looking sharp.

A smooth, image-rich website improves user experience and increases your chances of getting approved for Google AdSense. So, take a little time to fix those broken links and give your visitors a better browsing experience.

🔗 Visit SmartLifeSol.com for more helpful guides and solutions to keep your website running smoothly.