This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem:
You are noticing a large quantity of duplicated images in your media library and are concerned about performance issues. These duplicates appear in the English tab and are not assigned to anything.
Solution:
The duplication of entries in the media library is a normal behavior when using WPML, as it creates one entry per language for each media file to ensure that media appears correctly in all languages. However, WPML does not duplicate the physical media files but creates database connections for the necessary language information.
To manage this efficiently, we recommend enabling the automatic detection of media for translation under WPML > Settings > Media Translation. This setting helps WPML to duplicate media texts only when necessary and during translation, thus avoiding unnecessary database space usage and ensuring that the correct texts are sent for translation.
If you disable this option, you will need to manage media settings manually, which might lead to unnecessary duplication and potential issues in the Translation Editor and on the front-end.
For more detailed guidance, please visit: WPML Media Translation documentation.
Additionally, if you are looking to clean up your media library from previously duplicated entries, you might consider using a plugin like Media Cleaner. Ensure you back up your site before running any cleanup processes.
If this solution does not apply to your situation, or if it seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. Should you need further assistance, please open a new support ticket.
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