12 Ways to Fix the HTTP Image Upload Error in WordPress

There are few things more frustrating than the vague HTTP image upload error in WordPress. It’s a common issue that you might encounter when adding files to the WordPress Media Library. However, in most cases, you can resolve it quickly and get back to creating content.

Below we’ll present twelve methods you can try to fix the HTTP image upload error in WordPress.

Let’s dive in!

12 ways to fix the HTTP image upload error in #WordPress 🔧

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How to fix the HTTP image upload error in WordPress

Here are twelve tactics that you can use to fix the WordPress HTTP image upload error:

1. Clear your browser cache

Before you attempt any other solutions, clear your browser cache. You may also want to wait a few minutes and then try uploading the file again, as it’s sometimes a temporary glitch.

If the problem persists, proceed to the next solution.

2. Rename the file and retry

Another easy solution is to ensure that your file’s name does not contain any special characters. Remove punctuation marks such as semicolons or apostrophes. Then try uploading the file again.

3. Switch browsers

Sometimes users report HTTP errors while using Google Chrome. Switching browsers might help you identify whether this issue is related to your website or not.

If you can upload the file in another browser, you may want to contact support for your preferred platform to determine the source of the issue.

4. Deactivate plugins

Sometimes plugins may be the culprit, especially ones related to image optimization. Deactivate them and try uploading your image again.

If this solves the issue, get in touch with the plugin developer to see if they can help you fix the error.

5. Check your theme

Another solution is to back up your website and temporarily switch to a default theme, such as Twenty Twenty-Five. If your image uploads correctly, it means the problem lies in your current theme.

Get in touch with the developer to troubleshoot the error further.

6. Increase your PHP memory limit

If all else fails, it could mean that your server lacks the available memory. You can fix this by increasing the limit to the recommended 256 MB.

The easiest way to do this is by adding the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

Then try uploading the file again.

7. Check your PHP version

Finally, check if you’re using the most recent PHP version. You can check which version of PHP your site is using by going to Tools → Site Health. In the Info tab, you will find a dropdown labeled Server. Your PHP version is listed there.

Anything lower than version 8.0 will likely cause an issue, especially if you use the latest version of WordPress. Officially, WordPress recommends PHP 8.3 or greater, though it will work with older versions of PHP.

Most web hosts give you an option to change your PHP version from your hosting dashboard. Or, you can reach out to your host’s support for help. For more information on how to do this read: How to Check and Update Your WordPress PHP Version

8. Adjust your image editing library

WordPress relies on either GD Library or Imagick for image processing. Sometimes one of them causes issues. You can force WordPress to use GD Library instead of Imagick by adding this line to your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin:

add_filter( 'wp_image_editors', function() {
    return [ 'WP_Image_Editor_GD' ];
});

If the error goes away, you’ve found the culprit. Later, you can ask your host to help configure Imagick properly.

9. Check your file size and upload limits

Oversized files can trigger the HTTP error. Check your hosting’s maximum upload file size and post max size in PHP. If your image is too large, try resizing or compressing it before uploading. You can also increase the limit by editing your php.ini or .htaccess file:

php_value upload_max_filesize 64M
php_value post_max_size 128M

10. Verify file permissions

Incorrect file and folder permissions on your server can prevent uploads. Make sure your wp-content/uploads/ folder has 755 permissions and files are 644. If you’re unsure, your host’s support can fix this quickly.

11. Disable mod_security (temporarily)

Some hosting providers run mod_security, which can mistakenly block image uploads. If you suspect this, you can disable it temporarily via .htaccess:

<IfModule mod_security.c>
  SecFilterEngine Off
  SecFilterScanPOST Off
</IfModule>

If this resolves the error, ask your host to whitelist WordPress’ upload process rather than leaving mod_security off.

12. Try the classic media uploader

If you’re still stuck, switch to the browser uploader instead of the drag-and-drop Media Library uploader. You’ll find it under Media → Add New → “Browser uploader” link. It sometimes bypasses temporary issues with JavaScript or server settings.

Conclusion

If you create content regularly, you’ll probably encounter the HTTP image upload error eventually (or other HTTP error codes and status codes). Don’t worry; it’s usually easy to resolve. In this post, we’ve shared seven solutions you can try.

How to fix the HTTP image upload error in #WordPress 🛠️

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Do you still have any questions about how to fix this error? Let us know in the comments!