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

Problem:
The client is facing an issue where an image uploaded in the default language does not appear in other language versions of the site.
Solution:
We recommend the following steps to ensure that images uploaded to the Media library are available in all languages:
1. Ensure you have a full backup of your website.
2. Navigate to WPML → Settings.
3. In the Media Translation section, disable the option Automatically detect best options for translating image texts.
4. Expand the Setup manually options.
5. Enable the option When uploading media to the Media library, make it available in all languages.
6. Click Start or Start the process to create the missing media entries for all languages.

If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, please check the related known issues, verify the version of the permanent fix, and confirm that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If the problem persists, we highly recommend opening a new support ticket at WPML support forum.

This is the technical support forum for WPML - the multilingual WordPress plugin.

Everyone can read, but only WPML clients can post here. WPML team is replying on the forum 6 days per week, 22 hours per day.

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This topic contains 3 replies, has 0 voices.

Last updated by nicklasL-3 2 months ago.

Assisted by: Otto.

Author Posts
February 19, 2026 at 2:21 pm #17836354

nicklasL-3

Hi,

The issue occurs when I upload a new image (Media -> Add Media File) to my site (default language). The uploaded image appears only in the default language version, not in other languages. Therefore, after we change the image on the default language page and proceed to another language, we cannot find the new image. (We don't use WPML -> Translations; we edit the page in the Page module.)

Is there a way to make the image sync to all languages?

Thanks

February 19, 2026 at 4:14 pm #17836709

Otto

Hello,

Please try the following:

❌ Please make a full website backup before proceeding ❌

- Go to WPML → Settings.
- Scroll to Media Translation.
- Turn off: Automatically detect best options for translating image texts
- Expand "Setup manually" (check the screenshot attached.
- Enable (or verify) the option “When uploading media to the Media library, make it available in all languages”.
- In the same Media Translation section, click Start / Start the process to create the missing media entries for all languages (this is what makes the image selectable/visible in other admin languages).

Let me know if this helps, please.

Best Regards,
Otto

February 20, 2026 at 7:23 am #17837529

nicklasL-3

Hi Otto,

Thank you for your assistance. I disabled the "Automatically detect best options for translating image texts" option. However, I did not see the screenshot you attached and could not find the location of the "When uploading media to the Media library, make it available in all languages" option.

Could you please share the screenshot again so I can follow your steps correctly?
Also, is it possible to use the Media Translation add-on (WPML -> Media Translation) to manually translate and sync some images first?

Thanks!

February 20, 2026 at 12:29 pm #17838338

Otto

Hello,

I am sorry I missed the screenshot 🙁

I attached it this time. Please check it and let me know if it helps.

You will only need WPML Media if you want to have different images per language, but in your flow (using WP editor for the translations), it doesn't make sense.

Please check this documentation about media translation:
https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/media-translation/

It's mainly focused on the Advanced Translation Editor. With the WP Editor you can edit the translation as if it's a completely different page (they are only linked by the language switcher).

This other documentation may help:
https://wpml.org/documentation/translating-your-contents/using-different-translation-editors-for-different-pages/

Best Regards,
Otto

CleanShot 2026-02-19 at 13.10.58.png
February 23, 2026 at 10:40 am #17842346

nicklasL-3

Hi Otto,

It works so far. Thank you very much for your assistance.