[Resolved] “Post-processing of the image failed” error message

[NBC]

In attempting to upload images, I’m constantly getting the following error message:

Post-processing of the image failed likely because the server is busy or does not have enough resources. Uploading a smaller image may help. Suggested maximum size is 2500 pixels.

I uploaded a big batch of PNG files less than a week ago to the same site with no problems. Now all of a sudden, everything fails.

The size issue is a red herring. The images are small. Most of them are SVGs; some JPEGs and PNGs.

I’ve seen discussion of this error message as the result of a bug in WP, and I tried adding the recommended corrective to the PHP code in my child theme.
add_filter( 'big_image_size_threshold', '__return_false' );

This produced no change whatsoever, so I removed it.

Any suggestions? As long as this keeps happening, I’m not getting any work done.

[Leo]

Hi there,

This shouldn’t be a theme issue as media uploads is handled by WordPress.

Can you test with a twenty series WP theme and see if the same issue exists?

[NBC]

Tried it with Twenty-Twenty, and the problem persists, so you’re correct that it’s not GP/GPP.

Now I have no clue what to do, if in fact I can do anything at all.

[NBC]

Well, I’ve posted in the Troubleshooting forum on wordpress.org. That’s the only thing I can think of to do.

[Leo]

I’d check with your hosting support to see if they can identify the issue.

[NBC]

We had a lengthy power outage yesterday afternoon/evening, so I’m just now getting back to this troubleshooting.

Interesting: If I add new images directly to the Media Library, the upload process runs without a hitch.

If I attempt to add media to a page I’m editing and try to upload a new graphic to the Media Library, the upload fails with the error message in my original post.

[Leo]

Have you checked with your hosting support yet?

Not sure what we can do to help as it’s not an issue coming from GP.

[NBC]

Turns out it’s nothing to do with hosting. Another red herring courtesy of a CSS experiment that didn’t get removed after it proved unworkable.

[Leo]

Glad you’ve figured out 🙂

[Author]

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