How to Replace Images Using Enable Media Replace in WordPress

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Sometimes some images need to be replaced or updated on a site. There is an option to replace an image on individual posts and pages; however, it creates another media asset instead of replacing the existing one. It can also be a long and tedious task to go through each page where the media asset is located to replace it, and an even longer process if the image is used across multiple pages.

The Enable Media Replace plugin is an excellent solution in replacing the media asset without creating a new item to store. It also allows replacing and updating links to the new item.

Getting Started

Download and install Enable Media Replace on your WordPress site to get started.

Begin by navigating to Plugins on the dashboard and click Add New. From here, there are two options for installation.

Option 1: Search for Enable Media Replace. Click Install Now and Activate.

Option 2: Go to the plugin page, download the zip file, and upload it into the designated section under Upload Plugin.

*Check if the plugin was successfully installed and activated under Installed Plugins.

How to Replace Images

Go to the Media Library by navigating to Media on the left sidebar.

Hover over the media asset to view edit options. Click on Replace Media.

A new window will open called “Replace Media Upload”. It will prompt you to choose another file.

Once the new asset is uploaded, it will show a side-by-side comparison.

Underneath, there are two replacement options:

Option 1: Just replace the file — replaces the file with the same name as the original media file.

Option 2: Replace the file, use new file name, and upload all links — updates links to your old file with the new file.

There is also an option to update the date associated with the replacement.

Once you’ve configured everything, click on Upload.

How to Regenerate Thumbnails

Another suggestion is to install the reGenerate Thumbnails Advanced plugin. This additional plugin will help update all thumbnails since they may be cached on the browser and the WordPress server.

To quickly regenerate thumbnails, navigate to the Media Library and hover over the media asset. Click Regenerate Thumbnails. It will show a successful status across the top of the media library with “Image thumbnails regenerated”.

Summary

The Enable Media Replace plugin is an excellent tool for replacing uploaded media assets. It provides a preview and comparison with the old image; it also gives the option for how to replace the image, whether it’s just the item or update a name and links. There is also an option to choose the date associated with the asset.

A recommendation for updating thumbnails after the media has been replaced is to use reGenerate Thumbnails Advanced plugin. This tool will help correct the items that may be cached on the browser and server.

FAQ

Q: I’ve updated an image, but I still see the old one.

Try regenerating the thumbnails.

Originally published at https://www.webwash.net on August 9, 2022.