When Images Show in the Backend but Not in the Frontend of WordPress

Here on MyZA we set up the site initially to not show any images.

Recently it was suggested to us that certain contributors would like us to display their images so we changed our editorial policy to include images where requested.

BUT, we hit a snag as we could see the images in the backend but NOT in the frontend.

So we went down the Rabbit Hole of Google and AI looking for a definitive answer.

Of course, as everyone will tell you; “The solution was in the last place we looked!” DUH!

I checked/did all of these:

• Changed Theme
• Image folder permissions
• Individual file folder permissions
• Hotlinking rules
• Error logs
• Caching
• URL config

It was only when I de-activated ALL Plugins that the images showed up.

I then activated each of the over 40 plugins individually and checked MyZA one by one until one particular plugin – CyberSEO Pro – made the images ‘disappear’ from the front end.

Checking the CyberSEO Pro forums and documentation failed to bring a definitive answer so I ‘fiddled’ with the individual settings in General Settings – and found one that brought the issue to light.

I then recommended to CyberSEO Pro that they change the description in the Post images section of the General Settings as follows:

FROM

Enable this option to dynamically show or hide images when post is displayed.

This is a runtime option. It affects all existing parts at once. The effect is instantaneous and lasts while the option is enabled.
When disabled, the effect disappears.

TO

Enable this option to dynamically show or hide images when post is displayed.

This is a runtime option. It affects all existing posts (whether created by CyberSEO Pro or not) at once. The effect is instantaneous and lasts while the option is enabled.
When you select ‘show all images’, then all images in all posts will be displayed.
When you select ‘hide all images but post thumbnail’ then NO images will be shown in ANY posts at all.

And I got a thank you. Not a free year for my hours of sleuthing but we will take the thank you as a win!