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[Resolved] 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This solution might be outdated or not applicable to your specific case.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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"When WPML is enabled, the uploaded images are replaced by random images that were uploaded previously. This issue does not occur when WPML is disabled."
That's the issue that was fixed for NEW images that are going to be uploaded.
BUT when WPML is enabled the images that were uploaded before that fix (I think it's exactly 313 images) are not part of the library. I disable WPML and they're there as usual. You can just check the folder "DROP AUGUST 25.2" and enable/disable WPML to see the discrepancy.
And those exact images have been used in my posts of the CPT "uhren" and are being replaced with the random images that WPML somehow messed up. Therefore I suggested you to open the posts in the backend:
Rolex Texano ref. 5100 "Beta 21"
Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3800/1
Then disable WPML and refresh. You'll see the images change. And it's related to WPML and to this exact issue.
I see the issue with images missing, that could be related to missing language information, but I do not see different images in post when I disable WPML.
Can you please check the video and if I am missing any steps?
please pick a post from the CPT "uhren". You picked one from the "archiv" with the same name though.
This only affects around 20 posts that were created with the images that are "missing" from the library which was caused by WPML in the first place.
I'll give you a few posts within the "uhren" CPT that have this issue:
Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3800/1
Audemars Piguet Bamboo "nos" fullset
Cartier Tank Must "black roman" dial
Cartier Santos Octagon ref. 2966
Corum Golden Bridge ref. 13150 fullset
Cartier Tank "mini" manual wind
Patek Philippe Ellipse ref. 3648
There's around 20 of these posts. It's basically all the posts that were published on 23 August.
I also recorded a video for you with text and further explanation: hidden link
thanks for getting back and sharing more information and video, that was helpful.
Let me know if is it okay to take a copy of your website, as I would need to debug this further and most likely escalate to 2nd tier to check and advise further on this case.
we have checked and seems this is expected and can happen when WPML translated image is different, which is done via WPML Media addon. by your or some other user.
So you have now a default image which is a correct and then translated image for DE. If you want to remove that you can go to WPML media and revert the changes, for example as I did here:
- hidden link
Video: hidden link
Then it will show same image when WPML enabled or disabled.
It's very strange because definitely nobody would set a totally different translated image for a product. That wouldn't make sense for potential customers.
It's even stranger because those exact affected images were those who didn't and still don't appear in the library...
And while I understand the logic behind the translated media stuff, this doesn't seem to match. If we stick to our post "Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3800/1". Why would we change the translated image for the image that shouldn't be there in the first place? Like the image "photo_2024-05-16-00.16.38-1.jpeg" you edit at 00:03 - 00:07. That's definitely not an image that's there by default. The images for that post look completely different. Wouldn't you edit the EXACT opposite (see screenshot)?
Another hint for that is your refresh at 00:10. All the product images were correct because I guess you disabled all WPML plugins before. Now you refresh after having them enabled and after changing that translated media image but that media translation you just unset is wrong anyway. You see it's a completely different watch.
And now that you edited that specific image for example it *completely* appears to be attached to that post. Even if I disable all WPML plugins it's still in that post. It's also visible in the frontend which was never the case even though the images in the backend didn't match...
Maybe we're on the right path but for me this doesn't seem to match.
And to add a little bit more context to the fact that is absolutely not normal which should already be clear by now... Try adding a translation for DE (German) language with a post that has totally messed up/mixed images, just as:
Audemars Piguet Bamboo "nos" fullset
Cartier Tank Must "black roman" dial
Cartier Santos Octagon ref. 2966
Corum Golden Bridge ref. 13150 fullset
Cartier Tank "mini" manual wind
...
If you add a DE translation then there's no images at all. If you add translation for any other post it works completely fine.
I really don't know what I should do if this continues like this for days.
Seems like I need to reupload hundreds of images and re-assign them all manually if you guys don't find the reason and don't come up with a solution for this. Which would of course not be nice...
So far, I still got the same issues:
- The uploaded images from like 20+ posts don't appear in the media library
- The images are totally mixed up and posts have images assigned that make no sense UNTIL I disable WPML
- The media translation makes no sense and seems to have the same issue with wrong images assigned to posts
- Posts with the mixed up images can't really be translated because there's no media then
I understand your frustration, and I never said we will not further help or listen to your side. That is why I shared what we have discovered for now and waited for your feedback.
So the correct image is the one that is shown when WPML is disabled, I will share with our 2nd tier and update you when they get back to me.
Our 2nd tier team has reviewed the case, and the behavior you’re seeing with the image when WPML is enabled is actually expected, as I mentioned in my previous reply.
I understand this is not what you were hoping for, and that the default language image is still incorrect. It seems that this issue comes from how the image was originally set for your default post. The exact cause is difficult to determine—it could be a database inconsistency, or the image might have been added incorrectly.
For now, the simplest solution would be to upload the new correct images again in the default language, making sure they are properly set. Afterward, if needed, you can translate the post into DE, and it should work correctly. If not, we can investigate further and provide additional help.
Please note that the default language image is not controlled by WPML, so you’ll need to update it manually. As for why you see a different image when WPML is enabled, I’ve already explained the reason and shown how to revert or fix it using the WPML Media Addon.
So to fix this I'll just disable WPML, download all the images, enable WPML again, upload all images again and then set them all manually again to my posts.
Thanks for the info that WPML doesn't controll the default images but the issue is that it indeed does that in my case otherwise all the images wouldn't be replaced IF WPML is enabled. Reverting doesn't work because it's literally the opposite. I tried to explain it but the Media Addon literally shows the correct default image as the translated one and the wrong one as default one...
I did as I said and went ahead and downloaded all images that were affected by the upload bug in the first place (see https://wpml.org/forums/topic/wpml-replaces-uploaded-images/) with WPML disabled and then reuploaded them with WPML enabled.
My folder shows 313 images but when I disable WPML it shows 626. It duplicated every image (luckily no random images from one year ago).
Is that normal behavior because I have 2 languages?
