Managing WordPress Media Library

This article explains how to use your WordPress Media Library to add, organise, and manage images and files on your website.

Accessing Your Media Library

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard
2. Click "Media" in the left menu
3. Select "Library" to see all your uploaded files

You'll see a grid view of all images, documents, and other files you've uploaded. Click "List" view to see more details like file names and upload dates.

Adding New Images and Files

1. Click "Add New" at the top of the Media Library page
2. Drag files from your computer onto the upload area, or click "Select Files" to browse
3. Wait for the green tick to appear next to each file
4. Click "Edit" next to any file to add a title and description

WordPress accepts most common file types including JPG, PNG, PDF, and Word documents. Each file can be up to 25MB in size.

Organising Your Media Files

WordPress doesn't use folders like your computer, but you can organise files in other ways:

Using the Date Filter:

1. Click the "All dates" dropdown at the top of the Media Library
2. Select a specific month and year to filter files

Using File Types:

1. Click "All media items" dropdown
2. Choose "Images", "Audio", "Video", or "Documents" to filter

Searching Files:

1. Use the search box in the top right
2. Type part of the file name or description

Adding Media to Your Pages

When creating or editing a page, you can insert media files:

1. Place your cursor where you want the image
2. Click the "Add Media" button above the content editor
3. Select files from your Media Library or upload new ones
4. Choose your alignment and size settings
5. Click "Insert into page"

For step-by-step guidance on adding specific types of media, see our guide on Adding Images and Media.

Editing Image Details

1. Click on any image in your Media Library
2. On the right side, you can edit:
   • Title (appears when someone hovers over the image)
   • Caption (displays below the image on your website)
   • Alt Text (important for accessibility and search engines)
   • Description (for your own reference)

Always add Alt Text - it describes your image for people using screen readers and helps with search engine rankings.

Deleting Unwanted Files

1. Select the file you want to remove
2. Click "Delete Permanently" in the right panel
3. Confirm by clicking "OK"

Warning: If you delete a file that's being used on your website, it will show as a broken image or link. Check where files are used before deleting them.

Creating Image Galleries

1. Edit the page where you want a gallery
2. Click "Add Media" then select "Create Gallery"
3. Choose multiple images from your Media Library
4. Arrange them by dragging and dropping
5. Select gallery settings (columns, size, link destination)
6. Click "Insert Gallery"

For more advanced gallery options, check our guide on How to Add Galleries and Sliders.

Fixing Common Media Issues

If images aren't uploading or displaying correctly, the issue might be file size, format, or server settings. Our troubleshooting guide covers Media Upload Failures in detail.

If you're still stuck, contact Web60 support through your dashboard and we'll help you resolve any media library issues.

FAQ

Q: What image sizes should I use for my website?

A: For most website images, use 1200-1920 pixels wide. WordPress automatically creates smaller versions for different parts of your site.

Q: Can I organise my Media Library into folders?

A: WordPress doesn't have built-in folders, but you can use the date and file type filters to organise your media. Some plugins add folder functionality if needed.

Q: What file types can I upload to WordPress?

A: You can upload images (JPG, PNG, GIF), documents (PDF, Word, Excel), audio (MP3), and video files (MP4). Each file must be under 25MB.

Q: How do I replace an image without breaking links?

A: Upload the new image with the same filename, or use the "Replace Media" option in some WordPress admin interfaces. Alternatively, edit the old image's details and upload over it.

Q: Why are my images blurry on mobile devices?

A: This usually happens when images are too small or compressed too heavily. Use high-quality images at least 1200 pixels wide for best results across all devices.

Q: Can I edit images directly in WordPress?

A: WordPress has basic editing tools (crop, rotate, scale) available when you click "Edit Image" in the Media Library. For advanced editing, use photo editing software before uploading.

Q: How much storage space do I have for media files?

A: Web60 provides generous storage space for your media files. You can check your current usage in your Web60 dashboard under storage statistics.