WordPress • No Code • Beginner • 3 minutes

Set or Replace a Featured Image in WordPress

Set, replace, or remove the featured image used by WordPress posts, archives, cards, and many social previews.

FREE • LAST VERIFIED: SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
WordPress post editor showing the Featured image panel in Post settings
The Problem

Set or Replace a Featured Image in WordPress

Your post or Fix is publishing without the thumbnail used by archive cards, post templates, and other dynamic layouts.

1

Open Post settings

Edit the post. In the block editor, open Settings with the gear icon in the upper-right. In the classic editor, find the Featured image box in the right column.

2

Open Featured image

In the block editor, open the Post tab and expand Featured image. In the classic editor, click Set featured image. Choose a Media Library image or upload a new one.

3

Replace or remove later

To replace an image, use Replace in the block editor or click the current thumbnail in the classic editor. Choose the new image and update the post. Use Remove featured image to clear it.

4

Remember what it controls

The featured image is assigned to the post; where it appears on the front end depends on the active theme or template.

WordPress Featured image chooser showing Media Library, selected image, and Set featured image button
In this site’s classic Fix editor, click the current featured image (or Set featured image) to open the Media Library. Select an image, click Set featured image, then update the Fix.
Common Problem

Still not working?

If the featured image is assigned but not visible on the live post, check the single-post/archive template. The image can be assigned correctly even when the template does not output it.

Quick Summary
Edit post → Settings sidebar → Post → Featured image → Set featured image → choose/upload → save or update.

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