It can be very frustrating to upload images to your website only to find they are broken, garbled, or showing "corrupted" errors. This issue is almost always caused by the method used to upload the file.
Here are the most common causes and how to fix them.
Cause 1: Incorrect FTP Transfer Mode (The Most Common Fix)
FTP clients have two main modes for transferring files: ASCII and Binary.
- ASCII Mode: This mode is for text-only files, like
.html,.css,.txt, or.phpfiles. It can make small changes to line endings during transfer. - Binary Mode: This mode transfers the file's raw data, bit for bit, with no changes. This is essential for all non-text files, including images (
.jpg,.png,.gif), videos, and ZIP files.
The Problem: Your images are likely being corrupted because your FTP client is incorrectly set to ASCII mode. Uploading an image in ASCII mode will damage the file, making it unreadable.
The Solution
- Open your FTP client (e.g., FileZilla, Cyberduck, WinSCP).
- Find the "Transfer Mode" or "Transfer Type" setting. This is often in a "Transfer" or "Settings" menu.
- Change this setting from ASCII to Binary.
- (Recommended) The best setting, if available, is Auto (Automatic). In "Auto" mode, the FTP client will intelligently choose Binary for images and ASCII for text files.
- Once you have changed the setting, re-upload your images. They should now appear correctly.
Cause 2: File Was Corrupted Before or During Upload
If your FTP settings are correct, the file itself may be the issue.
- Check the Original File: Open the image on your local computer. Does it look correct? If not, the file was already damaged.
- Network Interruption: Sometimes, a temporary network issue can cause a file to be only partially uploaded, resulting in a broken image. Try re-uploading the file again.
Still Having Issues?
If you have confirmed your FTP settings are set to Binary or Auto and your original files are not damaged, please contact our support team. We'll be happy to help you investigate further.
