The Problem with WordPress Core

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 50 views

Understanding the Issue

When creating a new gallery in WordPress, the default preview image size is not displayed correctly in the edit/admin view. This issue is caused by a known inconsistency in the WordPress core, which has been reported as a bug since 2015 (Ticket #40692). Despite numerous attempts to resolve this issue, it remains unfixed, leaving developers and users to find alternative solutions.

The Problem with WordPress Core

The problem lies in the way WordPress handles default preview image sizes for new galleries. When a new gallery is inserted, the default preview image size is not taken into account, resulting in an incorrect display of the gallery in the edit/admin view. However, when the gallery is saved or edited further, the default preview image size is applied correctly.

A Workaround for the Issue

Given the persistence of this issue in WordPress core, it is essential to find a workaround to ensure that the default preview image size is displayed correctly in the edit/admin view. One possible solution is to include a custom function in your plugin that overrides the default behavior of WordPress.

Implementing the Workaround

To implement the workaround, you can add the following code to your plugin's functions.php file:

function custom_gallery_preview_size($size) {
    // Define the default preview image size
    $default_size = array(150, 150); // Example size: 150x150 pixels

    // Check if the gallery is new and the default size is not set
    if (isset($_POST['gallery_id']) && empty($_POST['gallery_size'])) {
        // Set the default preview image size
        $size = $default_size;
    }

    return $size;
}
add_filter('wp_get_attachment_image_src', 'custom_gallery_preview_size', 10, 3);

This code adds a custom filter to the wp_get_attachment_image_src function, which is responsible for retrieving the image source for the gallery. The filter checks if the gallery is new and the default size is not set, and if so, sets the default preview image size.

Benefits of the Workaround

The workaround provides several benefits, including:

Correct display of default preview image size: The workaround ensures that the default preview image size is displayed correctly in the edit/admin view, even for new galleries.
Improved user experience: By providing a correct display of the default preview image size, the workaround improves the overall user experience, making it easier for users to manage their galleries.
Flexibility and customization: The workaround allows developers to customize the default preview image size to suit their specific needs, providing greater flexibility and control over the gallery display.

Conclusion

The default preview image size for new galleries not being shown correctly in the edit/admin view is a known issue in WordPress core that has been reported since 2015. Given the persistence of this issue, it is essential to find a workaround to ensure that the default preview image size is displayed correctly. By implementing the custom function provided in this article, developers can overcome this issue and provide a better user experience for their users.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions about implementing the workaround, please refer to the following resources:

WordPress Core Ticket #40692: The original bug report in WordPress core.
Stack Overflow Question: A related question on Stack Overflow that provides additional information and solutions.
Plugin Support: Contact the plugin author or support team for assistance with implementing the workaround.

Future Development and Improvements

Frequently Asked Questions

In this article, we will address some of the most common questions related to the default preview image size for new galleries not being shown correctly in the edit/admin view.

Q: What is the issue with the default preview image size for new galleries?

A: The issue lies in the way WordPress handles default preview image sizes for new galleries. When a new gallery is inserted, the default preview image size is not taken into account, resulting in an incorrect display of the gallery in the edit/admin view.

Q: Why is this issue not being fixed in WordPress core?

A: The issue has been reported as a bug in WordPress core since 2015 (Ticket #40692), but it remains unfixed due to various reasons, including the complexity of the issue and the priority of other tasks.

Q: What is the workaround for this issue?

A: The workaround involves adding a custom function to your plugin's functions.php file, which overrides the default behavior of WordPress. This function sets the default preview image size for new galleries, ensuring that it is displayed correctly in the edit/admin view.

Q: How do I implement the workaround?

A: To implement the workaround, you can add the following code to your plugin's functions.php file:

function custom_gallery_preview_size($size) {
    // Define the default preview image size
    $default_size = array(150, 150); // Example size: 150x150 pixels

    // Check if the gallery is new and the default size is not set
    if (isset($_POST['gallery_id']) && empty($_POST['gallery_size'])) {
        // Set the default preview image size
        $size = $default_size;
    }

    return $size;
}
add_filter('wp_get_attachment_image_src', 'custom_gallery_preview_size', 10, 3);

Q: What are the benefits of the workaround?

A: The workaround provides several benefits, including:

Correct display of default preview image size: The workaround ensures that the default preview image size is displayed correctly in the edit/admin view, even for new galleries.
Improved user experience: By providing a correct display of the default preview image size, the workaround improves the overall user experience, making it easier for users to manage their galleries.
Flexibility and customization: The workaround allows developers to customize the default preview image size to suit their specific needs, providing greater flexibility and control over the gallery display.

Q: Can I customize the default preview image size?

A: Yes, you can customize the default preview image size to suit your specific needs. Simply modify the $default_size variable in the custom function to set the desired size.

Q: What if I encounter issues with the workaround?

A: If you encounter any issues or have questions about implementing the workaround, please refer to the following resources:

WordPress Core Ticket #40692: The original bug report in WordPress core.
Stack Overflow Question: A related question on Stack Overflow that provides additional information and solutions.
Plugin Support: Contact the plugin author or support team for assistance with implementing the workaround.

Q: Will this issue be fixed in a future WordPress core update?

A: It is possible that the issue may be resolved in a future WordPress core update. However, until then, the workaround provided in this article will ensure that the default preview image size is displayed correctly in the edit/admin view.