Split: WPML is enabled the images that were uploaded before are not part of the library

This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
When WPML is enabled, previously uploaded images are not visible in the media library and are replaced by random images in posts. This issue does not occur when WPML is disabled. The problem affects specific posts created on August 23 and involves around 313 images.
Solution:
1. Disable WPML and delete the old 313 images that are affected and possibly corrupted.
2. Re-enable WPML and upload new images.
3. Manually set these new images to the respective posts.
4. If the default language image still appears incorrect, upload the correct images again in the default language, ensuring they are properly set.
5. Optionally, translate the post into German (DE) if needed, using the WPML Media Addon to ensure images display correctly when WPML is enabled.

This solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case. We highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If the issue persists, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

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This topic is split from https://wpml.org/forums/topic/wpml-replaces-uploaded-images/

Tagged: Exception

This topic contains 23 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by Dražen 3 weeks, 5 days ago.

Assisted by: Dražen.

Author	Posts
September 11, 2025 at 6:31 am #17392636
Dražen Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hello, you should first delete the old 313 images when WPML is disabled, as seems those are affected and still having issue, probably missing or having some corupted data. Then when you upload new 313 it should be fine. Let me know how it goes. Regards, Drazen
September 11, 2025 at 5:30 pm #17395362
julianM-23	So you say it's not normal to have all images twice when I disable WPML?
September 11, 2025 at 5:30 pm #17395363
julianM-23	So you say it's not normal to have all images twice when I disable WPML? I mean, it's the same images but I don't really see a connection if I reupload them...
September 12, 2025 at 7:13 am #17396235
Dražen Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hello, I did not say in that why, I said that you have those image in your library they are not showing when WPML enabled, because they are missing some data, could be corrupted or something went wrong, so WPML can not show them as not sure what language they are, could be none. If you disable WPML, you see them because WP does not require language informations. If you upload them again, of course you have old + new images. So best as suggest before, is to disable WPML delete all of those images, enable WPML and upload new one. Regards, Drazen
September 12, 2025 at 3:05 pm #17398236
julianM-23	Yes, I understand that I'll have the old and new ones. But I'm talking about the fact that if I reupload all the images then those new images are all twice in my media library on top of the old ones... Just as my screenshot from above which I attached again. WPML disabled shows 313 old images and 626 is the number of the reuploaded images that were duplicated when I reuploaded them. They also have the same upload date. And my question is if it's normal for images to be shown twice in the media library if I disable WPML with 2 languages? Considering just the new images of course because in reality it's triple with the 313 old ones that caused a lot of issues. This is really important for me to know because if it's not normal for media to be shown twice in the media library when WPML is disabled then I need to figure out why because I'm really afraid this messes up more of my posts.
September 12, 2025 at 5:48 pm #17398536
julianM-23	It's the same behavior on the staging page you have access to. I just recorded a video with further explanation: hidden link Maybe it's normal.
September 15, 2025 at 6:23 am #17400700
Dražen Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hello, This is really important for me to know because if it's not normal for media to be shown twice in the media library when WPML is disabled then I need to figure out why because I'm really afraid this messes up more of my posts. Yes, that is expected since images need to exist in each language, WPML creates entry in DB for each image for each language, but in reality it uses same file it does not duplicate files, but if you disable WPML you will see images from all languages. It is needed for image to be shown and used in 2nd language. Regards, Drazen
September 17, 2025 at 5:54 pm #17410966
julianM-23	Thanks a lot for the info. Then I'll fix the posts with the messed up images manually and let you know. Thanks a lot for your help.
September 18, 2025 at 5:32 am #17411602
Dražen Supporter Languages: English (English ) Timezone: Europe/Zagreb (GMT+02:00)	Hello, thanks for getting back. Sure, sounds good. Let me know how it goes and if you need any other help from my side. Regards, Drazen