Are you tired of creating content for your WordPress blog post only to find that your featured image is not showing up on the page?
It can be frustrating to put all that hard work into creating a post only to have it go unnoticed because of a missing image.
With my checklist, you’ll be able to identify why your featured image is not appearing and get back to sharing your blog post content with the world.
In this post, I’ll walk you through troubleshooting and resolving the issue.
Whether it’s a simple oversight or a technical glitch, we’ll get to the bottom of it together.
So, let’s get started and get your featured images back on track!
Assigned A Featured Image To Your WordPress Blog Post
Adding a featured image to your blog post is a great way to grab your reader’s attention and make your content stand out.
Here’s how to do it:
Open “All Posts” on your dashboard and click the “Edit” button for the post you want to add a featured image.
Next, click on the “Featured Image” option on the right-hand sidebar of the editor.
Click the “Set Featured Image” button to choose an existing image from your media library or upload a new one to the post.
If you are uploading a new image to the post, click the “Upload Files” button and select the image from your computer.
Once you have chosen your post image, add relevant Alt Text and Title data to help search engines index your image.
Click “Set Featured Image” to assign it to your post.
Don’t forget to click “Update” to save your changes and publish your post with the featured image.
By following these simple steps, you will have successfully assigned a featured image to your blog post.
Enabled Featured Image On Your WordPress Theme
The Astra, Ashe, and Kadence themes have options to enable featured images for blog posts.
Hover your mouse over Appearance and click Customize to access the theme customizer.
How To Enable Featured Images On Ashe
Select Single Post.
Ensure Show Featured Image is checked.
Select Publish to update.
How To Enable Featured Images On Astra
Select Blog.
Select Single Post.
Ensure the Eye icon next to Featured Image is enabled.
Select Publish to update.
How To Enable Featured Images On Kadence
Select Blog Posts.
Select Single Post Layout.
Ensure the Show Featured Image option is enabled.
Select Publish to update.
Enable Featured Image On Your WordPress Blog Post When Using Astra Or Kadence
How To Enable Featured Image On Your Blog Post When Using Astra
Select Edit under the post or page.
Select the Astra Settings tab.
Don’t check the Disable Featured Image option.
If you make a change here, select Update.
How To Enable Featured Image On Your Blog Post When Using Kadence
Select Edit.
Select the Post Settings icon.
Scroll down to the Show Featured Image option.
Ensure this is set to Default or Enable.
After making changes, select Update.
Troubleshooting Other Common Featured Image Issues
While the featured image not showing up on a post or page is a common issue, there are other problems that can arise when working with featured images.
Here are some other featured image problems and how to troubleshoot them:
The Featured Image Appears Distorted or Stretched
If your post-featured image appears distorted or stretched, it’s likely because the image has a different aspect ratio than the designated featured image area.
Here’s how to fix it:
Try uploading an image to your post with the correct aspect ratio. Check your theme’s documentation or settings for the recommended image size and aspect ratio.
Use an image editing tool to crop or resize the image to fit the correct aspect ratio.
The Featured Image Appears Cropped Incorrectly
If your post’s featured image appears cropped incorrectly, it may be because it is too small or has an irregular aspect ratio.
Here’s how to fix it:
Try uploading an image with the correct size and aspect ratio. Check your theme’s documentation or settings to find the recommended image dimensions.
Use an image editing tool to crop the post image to display correctly.
Optimizing Featured Images
Optimize your featured images to ensure they display correctly and look attractive on your site.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use the Correct Size and Resolution
Using the correct size and resolution for your featured images is essential. If they are too small, they may appear pixelated or blurry.
If they are too big, they may take longer to load and not fit in the designated featured image area.
Check your theme’s documentation or settings for the recommended image size and resolution.
If you’re unsure, around 1200 pixels wide should work.
Use the Appropriate File Format
Different file formats are best suited for different types of images.
For example, JPEG is a good choice for photographs, while PNG is better for images with transparent backgrounds.
When saving your images, choose the appropriate file format based on the characteristics of the image.
This will help ensure that your images look their best and load quickly.
Optimize for Loading Speed
Large images can slow down your site, which can be frustrating for users and may affect your search engine rankings.
You can try compressing your images or using a plugin to optimize images automatically to improve loading speed.
There are several plugins available that can help you optimize your images for faster loading times.
Some popular options include Smush, ShortPixel, and EWWW Image Optimizer.
Use Descriptive and Relevant File Names
When saving your images, use descriptive and relevant file names that reflect the image content.
File names make it easier for search engines to understand what the image is about and may improve your search engine rankings.
For example, instead of naming your image “IMG_1234.jpg”, use a descriptive name like “blue-widgets.jpg” if the image is of blue widgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t my featured images showing up?
There are several reasons why your featured images may not be showing up on your blog.
Common reasons include not assigning a post image, not enabling featured images, incorrect image size, theme conflicts, and plugin conflicts.
How do I fix featured images in WordPress?
To fix featured images in WordPress, you can start by checking the image size requirements for your theme and adjusting your image accordingly.
You can also try disabling plugins or switching to a different theme to resolve theme or plugin conflicts.
Additionally, you can regenerate thumbnails or use a plugin to help troubleshoot the issue.
Where do featured images go in WordPress?
Featured images are typically located at the top of a blog post or page.
However, the exact location may vary depending on your theme and how it is configured.
You can usually find the featured image option in the post editor under the “Featured Image” section.
Why Is My Header Image Not Showing In WordPress?
There could be several reasons your header image is not showing in WordPress. Some possible causes are:
The image file is not in the correct format
WordPress supports image file formats such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF. It may not display correctly if your image is in a different one.
The file name of the image contains special characters
WordPress can’t handle file names that contain certain special characters, such as spaces or punctuation marks.
If your image file has characters, try renaming it using only letters and numbers.
The image is too large
If your image file is too big, it may not display in WordPress. Try resizing the image to a smaller size and then uploading it again.
If the image file has been corrupted or damaged, it may not display correctly in WordPress
In this case, you will need to try uploading a new copy of the image.
The theme you are using does not support a header image
Some themes do not have the option to display a header image.
If this is the case, you will need to choose a different theme that does support a header image.
If you still have trouble, try checking the support forums or consult a developer for further assistance.
How Do I Make A WordPress Featured Image Responsive?
Are you struggling to make your featured images responsive?
Responsive images are essential for providing a seamless user experience across all devices, and luckily, it’s easy to achieve this in WordPress.
Firstly, ensure that your theme supports responsive images, which most modern themes should.
A responsive theme automatically resizes and adjusts images to fit the size of the user’s device, so it’s crucial to choose one that is responsive.
One way to check if your theme is responsive is to look for the ‘responsive’ or ‘mobile-friendly’ label in the theme’s description.
Another way is to view your site on various devices to see if the images adjust to the screen size.
Once you have a responsive theme installed, you can easily set up your featured images by going to the ‘Featured Image’ section in the editor for each post or page.
The image will automatically adjust to fit the width of the content area on your site, providing an optimal user experience.
If you encounter any issues making your featured images responsive, check the support forums for assistance or consult with a developer for further help.
With responsive images in place, you can ensure that your site looks great on any device.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re experiencing issues with your featured images not showing up on your homepage, don’t worry!
You can quickly troubleshoot and resolve the issue by following the easy steps outlined in my checklist.
First and foremost, ensure you have assigned a featured image to each of your blog posts.
This step can often be overlooked but is critical to ensuring your images appear on your homepage.
Next, review the global settings for your theme on the customizer. Make sure that the “Show the Featured Image” option is activated.
If not, this could be why your featured images aren’t appearing.
By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that your featured images display correctly on your blog.
Your readers will appreciate the added visual appeal, making your content more engaging and shareable.
Featured images are essential for your site. Check out my WordPress Featured Image: What It Is, Plus How to Use It Right article to learn more about featured images.
Visit my How to Find A WordPress Sitemap article to learn how to find the sitemap on your website.
I hope you found my article informative. Please leave any questions in the comments below. I appreciate all the feedback.
John is the founder of Newblogr.com and has a background in retail and travel. However, his true passion lies in building WordPress websites and mastering the art of SEO. He is committed to helping new bloggers build successful websites. John hopes to inspire and empower bloggers to reach their goals. Need a website today? Contact me at [email protected].
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