This issue is likely due to the theme or additional plugins that are applied to your live site, which may have image size settings that override WordPress’s default settings. When you upload a photo in the WordPress site editor, the original dimensions are preserved. However, when the site is live, additional CSS or image settings from the active theme or a plugin might be configured to resize featured images to 200×200 pixels for consistency or aesthetic reasons.
To address this, check the following:
Theme Settings: Many WordPress themes have specific settings for image dimensions. Go to your theme’s customizer or settings panel and look for any options that specify image sizes, particularly for featured images. If you find settings specifying a 200×200 pixel size, adjust them to your desired dimensions.
Functions.php: If there are no settings available in the admin panel, it might require editing the theme’s functions.php file. Look for lines of code like add_image_size() that define custom image sizes, and modify them if necessary.
CSS Stylesheet: Check the CSS files for any rules altering image dimensions. Styles like max-width, max-height, or specific pixel values could be affecting how images are displayed on the live site. Modify these styles to prevent unwanted resizing.
Plugins: Some plugins automatically resize images. Ensure no image optimization or gallery plugins are imposing these size constraints. Temporarily deactivate such plugins to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, you might need to adjust the plugin settings or choose different plugins.
Cache: Clear the cache (both browser and any caching plugins) as sometimes changes do not reflect immediately due to cached contents.
After making these checks and changes, your featured images should display in the correct size on the live site as they do in the WordPress editor.
One response to “How does the featured photo auto-resize to 200×200 pixels online while not in the WordPress editor?”
Great insights on addressing the featured photo resizing issue! It’s crucial to remember that maintaining image quality and dimensions is vital for user experience and site aesthetics. One additional factor to consider is the responsive nature of modern web design. While adjusting the image size in the theme settings or CSS, it’s essential to ensure that these modifications don’t negatively impact the site’s responsiveness on different devices.
When you’re customizing the featured image size, you might also want to explore using the `srcset` attribute, which allows browsers to select the appropriate image size based on the user’s screen resolution. This can optimize loading times and enhance visual clarity on high-DPI displays.
Lastly, don’t forget to test your changes under various scenarios (different browsers and devices) to ensure consistency. Image handling can sometimes be a tricky area in WordPress, but with careful adjustments and testing, you can create a visually appealing experience for your audience. Keep up the great work sharing these valuable tips!