If an animated GIF is not working on your WordPress website, there could be a few potential reasons for the issue. Here are some common troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the problem:
- Check the GIF File: Ensure that the GIF file itself is not corrupted or damaged. You can test this by opening the file in an image editor or image viewer to see if it plays as expected.
- File Size Limitations: Check if the GIF file exceeds the maximum file size allowed by your WordPress installation or hosting provider. Large GIF files may not upload or display correctly.
- Image Compression: WordPress automatically compresses uploaded images to optimize them for the web. In some cases, this compression can affect the animation of GIFs. You can try using a plugin that disables image compression for GIF files.
- Upload Settings: Make sure that you have uploaded the GIF file in its original format and not as a static image. When uploading, ensure that the “Full Size” option is selected in the image size settings.
- Theme or Plugin Conflict: Sometimes, issues with animated GIFs can be caused by conflicts with your WordPress theme or plugins. To troubleshoot, try temporarily disabling plugins or switching to a default WordPress theme to see if the issue persists.
- Check for Hotlinking Protection: Some hosting providers have hotlinking protection enabled, which can prevent externally hosted images from displaying on your site. If the GIF is hosted externally, check if hotlinking protection is enabled and consider hosting the image on your own server.
If you’re still experiencing issues with animated GIFs on your WordPress site after trying these troubleshooting steps, you may want to seek assistance from the WordPress support community or your hosting provider’s support team.