Posted on July 19, 2023 | Updated on June 18, 2025
HTTP Error When Uploading Images

Are you tired of experiencing the frustrating HTTP error when attempting to upload images to your WordPress website? We understand that this issue can be frustrating for you, as it can slow down your website development and design process. Welcome to this guide! 

Here, we will explore the typical reasons behind this error and offer you practical solutions to troubleshoot it quickly. By resolving the HTTP error, you will ensure a smooth and uninterrupted experience for visitors to your WordPress site.

Understanding the HTTP Error

When uploading images to WordPress, you may encounter an HTTP error. This error can occur due to a variety of factors. A common issue that often arises is the size of the image file that is being uploaded. You may encounter an HTTP error if the image you are trying to upload is too large for WordPress or your hosting provider. 

Likewise, using the wrong file format, like TIFF instead of JPEG, can also cause this problem. Furthermore, if the file permissions on your server are not set correctly, it may hinder the successful uploading of images. 

In order to resolve the HTTP error, it is important to tackle the root causes. For instance, you have the option to decrease the size of the image file or change it to a format that is compatible, such as JPEG. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the file permissions are properly configured for the uploaded images.

How To Check HTTP Error?

Tracking where the issue might have occurred is essential to conclude that one particular reason could also be why the HTTP error has occurred. The problem with the size of an image file or issue in the file formats can only be verified with the following ways. It should be corrected because having an HTTP error can result in glitches and loss of internet connection. 

How To Check HTTP Error?

The issues could be mostly temporary, and first, you should start checking from there. Wait for a few minutes and upload again to see if the error has gone for now. If not, upload a small image to check if the issue is with the size of the file. If you find issues with its format, change it accordingly so that issues won’t arise again. 

You can also take a browser-related test if issues haven’t been resolved yet. Refresh the page and upload the image or files again. Either you can refresh the page with the “Refresh” button or click on the F5 in your keyboard to upload these files or images. 

You can also jump over to Firefox from Google Chrome to upload the image. Also, clear the cache and re-upload the image, which will help you understand the cause. 

Checking the Plugins and Themes

Next, if temporary issues are found to be not the reason for the HTTP error, then it’s better to check the plugins and themes. It has to be checked because plugins for security or image optimization could also be the possible causes for the occurrence of HTTP errors. Try deactivating them one after another, and then upload the image. 

If the issue still persists, check your WordPress theme. Back up your site and switch your current theme to a default theme. If issues are not resolved on your part, reach out to the theme developers.

Renaming the File

Files are to be renamed if it doesn’t follow a system of naming the files. International language symbols are to be avoided at all cost, and the file name should accommodate letters, dashes and numbers. Then, arrange them in a way that suits you best, like our example, “image-file-59”.

You should rename the file in your local folder by following certain guidelines. Upload the image then. If the error hasn’t left, try getting your hands on coding. 

1. How To Troubleshoot the HTTP Error?

Now it’s time to solve all these issues slowly to make your image visible without any glitch of the HTTP error. The following are a few troubleshooting methods you can use to eliminate this error. 

1.1. WordPress Plugins

WordPress provides a variety of plugins that are specifically created to solve image upload problems. If you are looking for some great plugins to enhance your website, you might want to check out “Enable Media Replace” and “Imsanity.” They are both quite popular and offer some useful features. 

enable media replace

The “Enable Media Replace” plugin is a tool that allows you to easily replace images on your website without having to change the file URL. This ensures a seamless replacement process for your media files. 

wordpress plugin imsanity

However, it’s important for our audience to note that “Imsanity” is a plugin that can automatically resize large images to a more manageable size. This can be particularly useful in reducing the likelihood of encountering an HTTP error. Installing and activating these plugins can improve your image-uploading experience in WordPress.

1.2. Image Optimization

One of the most important things you can do to fix the HTTP error is to optimize your pictures for the web. Large image file sizes can put a strain on the server’s resources and make it hard to send images. To optimize your images, you can use compression and resizing methods. 

EWWW image optimizer

Online tools like TinyPNG and JPEGmini can help you lower the file size of your images without hurting the quality. Also, WordPress plugins like “Smush” and “EWWW Image Optimizer” automatically optimize pictures as they are uploaded, making sure they work well on the web and lowering the chance of getting an HTTP error.

1.3. Server Configurations

Changing how the server is set up can also help a lot when trying to fix the HTTP problem. In some cases, the server’s basic settings might not be enough to handle uploading bigger files. 

By making the memory cap bigger, you let WordPress use more resources for processing images. You can change the memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file or by using a tool like “WP Memory Limit” to change the settings. 

php memory limit

In the same way, changing the .htaccess file can help fix problems with file permissions. This file controls how your website works; if the choices are wrong, it can stop you from uploading images. By making the necessary changes, you can get rid of possible problems and make it easier to share images.

1.4. Temporary Disabling Security Plugins

Inadvertently, security plugins can sometimes get in the way of picture uploads, causing the HTTP error. Some of these plugins may have too strict rules and don’t let certain file types or sizes be shared. 

To see if the problem is caused by a security plugin, temporarily turn it off and try to upload the picture again. If the HTTP error doesn’t happen anymore, you can change the security plugin’s settings to let the necessary file types and amounts through. 

You could also consider using a different security plugin that gives you more options without risking your website’s security.

Make sure to try each of these fixing steps one at a time and test after each one to find the one that fixes the HTTP error. Before making big changes to your website, it’s also a good idea to make a copy of it in case something goes wrong.

By using these detailed troubleshooting steps, you can fix the HTTP problem and make sure that uploading images in WordPress goes more smoothly.

2. Clearing the Cache

The data stored on the server and in your browser’s cache can also cause an HTTP error. You can clear the server-side cache with caching tools like W3 Total Cache or WP Rocket to fix this. These plugins help get rid of any stored data that could make it hard to post images. 

Also, you should clear the cache in your browser and reload the WordPress media library. Doing this will ensure that any cached data in your browser doesn’t mess up the process of uploading a picture. Clearing the cache is an easy way to fix the HTTP error that works well.

3. Updating WordPress and Plugins

If you want to avoid compatibility problems that can lead to HTTP errors, keeping your WordPress site and plugins up to date is important. When you try to share or upload an image, you might get an error message if you use an older WordPress version or a plugin that doesn’t work well with the latest features or security measures. 

So, it’s important to make sure your WordPress system, themes, and plugins are always up-to-date. Doing this will make sure everything works well and lower the chance of getting an HTTP error.

4. Switch Image Editor Library From Imagick to GD Library

WordPress relies on PHP, with two extensions for managing the image uploads- which are Imagick and GD Library. As Imagick is more prone to memory issues, HTTP error is the possible outcome after uploading the image. To fix it, switch to the GD Library. 

You can switch by adding a code to your WordPress theme’s functions.php file or by using WPCode. Also, you can limit Imagick by editing .htaccess, which is useful in controlling its ability to limit using server resources and several threads that lead to faster image processing. Still, an HTTP error is more likely to occur because this limit is to reduce the multiple threads to a single one, enabling image processing. 

5. Update PHP Version

PHP is significant for WordPress, and as updates are upcoming, you should also update the older version of PHP. The new versions have enhancements for performance and memory. The newest versions of PHP also have a stronger capacity to find any bugs or vulnerabilities, which is effective in preventing the site from getting affected by malware or hacking. The latest PHP version as of 2025 is PHP 8.4.5

6. Switch On Your Debug Mode

In your WordPress configuration, you have an option to enable debug mode, which also indicates PHP errors relating to the HTTP image errors. After enabling the debug mode, you will get to find the existing PHP errors in the debug log, signifying a clue on these upload issues. 

7. Check Permission of Files & Folder 

Lastly, check on the permission of files and folders from scratch. If there are unwanted permissions, it could disable WordPress from editing or accessing the files, causing upload errors. When the upload directory seems to have wanted permissions, WordPress can’t save those uploaded images. Likewise, check other file and folder permissions to avoid the occurrence of HTTP errors, specifically for images. 

8. Seeking Support and Assistance

If all else fails, keep hope! There’s a lot of information out there that can help you fix the HTTP trouble. WordPress forums are a great place to get help or replies from people who have been using WordPress for a long time. 

There are a lot of helpful tips and ideas in these forums about how to fix WordPress problems, like errors with uploading pictures. 

Also, if you want professional help, there are services that can help you fix WordPress errors and bugs. They know how to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Conclusion

When you try to add images to WordPress, the HTTP error can be a frustrating problem. By learning about the most common causes and using the fixing steps in this guide, you can fix this problem and make sure that images upload smoothly to your website. Don’t forget to think about the files’ size, format, rights, and cache. 

Also, make sure your WordPress system and plugins are always up-to-date to avoid problems with compatibility. If you keep having problems, don’t be afraid to ask for help from the WordPress community or from a professional service. Fixing the HTTP error is important if you want to upload images in WordPress without any problems. This will also help your website do well generally.

If your issue is still unresolved, don’t hesitate to get in touch with WPclerks, a WordPress support service providing company. We are available to help by taking care of your one-time tasks and WordPress Support and Maintenance quickly and easily. Forget about hours spent searching for solutions yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why am I getting an HTTP error when uploading images to WordPress?

There are many things that can cause the HTTP problem. It usually happens when you go over the maximum file size limit set by WordPress or your hosting service, use file formats that don’t work well together, or have the wrong file permissions. Because of these problems, you might get an HTTP error when you try to upload an image.

Can my internet connection cause the HTTP error? 

Even though a slow or unstable internet link could affect the uploading process, it is less likely to cause the HTTP error directly. Most of the time, this error is caused by problems with the file’s size, format, rights, or compatibility. But a stable internet connection is still important for uploading to go smoothly since any pauses during the process can cause errors or uploads that aren’t finished.

Are there any specific file size and format requirements in WordPress?

Yes, WordPress has certain rules about the amount and format of files. The biggest file you can upload relies on how you set up WordPress and who hosts your site. By default, WordPress lets you upload files that are up to 2 MB in size, but this limit can be changed based on how your server is set up. To fix the HTTP error, you should ensure your images don’t exceed this limit. When it comes to file formats, WordPress can handle popular ones like JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Using these formats, which are widely accepted, will help you avoid compatibility problems and make sure your image uploads work.

Can I use third-party image optimization plugins instead of built-in WordPress solutions?

Absolutely! Even though WordPress has some built-in ways to optimize images, you can also use third-party image optimization tools to improve the speed of your website. 
Most of the time, these plugins use advanced compression algorithms and optimization methods to reduce the size of picture files without a big drop in quality. Third-party tools like Smush, EWWW Image Optimizer, and Imagify are often used to optimize images. Using these plugins can help your website run faster and give users a better overall experience.

Can I prevent the HTTP error from occurring in the first place? 

Even though it’s not always possible to stop the HTTP error from happening, there are things you can do to make it less likely:
• Before you post your images, you should resize them to the right size and compress them for web use.
• Make sure you save your pictures in a format that works, such as JPEG, PNG, or GIF.
• Update your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins on a regular basis, as changes often fix bugs and make things work better together.
• Keep an eye on the server resources for your website and make any necessary changes, like raising the memory limit or changing the timeout settings. By following these best practices, you can make it much less likely that HTTP errors will happen when you add images to your WordPress site.