I can't upload a file
If you are having trouble uploading a file to the CMS, the most common causes are the file type not being accepted or the file being too large. The checks below should help identify the issue.
Check the file type is accepted by that field
Different fields in the CMS accept different types of files. Image fields will only accept standard image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and SVG. Document fields typically accept PDFs and Word documents. If you attempt to upload a file that does not match the accepted types for that field, the upload will be rejected.
To resolve this: confirm the file you are trying to upload is the correct type for the field you are uploading to. If you need to upload a PDF, for example, ensure you are not attempting to add it through an image field. If you believe the field should accept a file type that it is currently rejecting, contact your site administrator.
Check the file size is not too large
There is a maximum file size limit for uploads. If your file exceeds this limit the upload will fail, sometimes without a clear error message. As a general guide, try to keep image files under 5MB where possible. Very large files not only risk failing to upload but can also slow down page load times for visitors to your site.
If you need to upload a large image, consider compressing it or reducing its dimensions before uploading. There are many free online tools that can do this without noticeably affecting the quality of the image on screen.
Check your internet connection
Uploading large files requires a stable connection. If your connection drops or is slow during an upload, the upload may fail or time out before completing. Try uploading the file again on a stable connection. If you are uploading multiple files at once, try uploading them one at a time instead.
Check the file name does not contain special characters
File names with special characters- such as ampersands, apostrophes, brackets, or accented letters- can sometimes cause upload issues. Rename the file using only standard letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores before attempting the upload again.
If the upload appears to succeed but the file does not appear
If the upload progress completes but the file does not show in the media library, try refreshing the page. If it still does not appear, the upload may have failed silently. Attempt the upload again, and if the issue persists contact your site administrator.
Check the file type is accepted by that field
Different fields in the CMS accept different types of files. Image fields will only accept standard image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and SVG. Document fields typically accept PDFs and Word documents. If you attempt to upload a file that does not match the accepted types for that field, the upload will be rejected.
To resolve this: confirm the file you are trying to upload is the correct type for the field you are uploading to. If you need to upload a PDF, for example, ensure you are not attempting to add it through an image field. If you believe the field should accept a file type that it is currently rejecting, contact your site administrator.
Check the file size is not too large
There is a maximum file size limit for uploads. If your file exceeds this limit the upload will fail, sometimes without a clear error message. As a general guide, try to keep image files under 5MB where possible. Very large files not only risk failing to upload but can also slow down page load times for visitors to your site.
If you need to upload a large image, consider compressing it or reducing its dimensions before uploading. There are many free online tools that can do this without noticeably affecting the quality of the image on screen.
Check your internet connection
Uploading large files requires a stable connection. If your connection drops or is slow during an upload, the upload may fail or time out before completing. Try uploading the file again on a stable connection. If you are uploading multiple files at once, try uploading them one at a time instead.
Check the file name does not contain special characters
File names with special characters- such as ampersands, apostrophes, brackets, or accented letters- can sometimes cause upload issues. Rename the file using only standard letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores before attempting the upload again.
If the upload appears to succeed but the file does not appear
If the upload progress completes but the file does not show in the media library, try refreshing the page. If it still does not appear, the upload may have failed silently. Attempt the upload again, and if the issue persists contact your site administrator.