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Troubleshooting Missing Featured Images with Custom Post Type UI

18 threads Sep 9, 2025 Plugin → Custom post type ui

Content

One of the most common issues users encounter with the Custom Post Type UI plugin is the Featured Image meta box disappearing from the WordPress admin screen. This can happen on both default posts/pages and custom post types. Based on community reports, this guide will walk you through the most effective troubleshooting steps to resolve this problem.

Why Does This Happen?

The Featured Image meta box can disappear for several reasons related to how Custom Post Type UI registers post type support and interacts with other parts of WordPress:

  • Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Another plugin or your theme might be interfering with the post-thumbnail support.
  • Screen Options: The meta box might be accidentally hidden in the Screen Options tab.
  • Editor Type: Some users report the meta box appears in the Block Editor (Gutenberg) but not the Classic Editor.
  • Registration Timing: The post type might be registered before the theme has declared support for post thumbnails.

How to Fix Missing Featured Images

1. Verify Basic Settings in CPTUI

First, ensure 'thumbnail' is checked in the "Supports" section for your custom post type within the CPTUI settings. Save your post type settings even if they appear correct, as this can refresh the registration.

2. Check Screen Options

On the post edit screen, click the "Screen Options" dropdown in the top right corner. Ensure the checkbox next to "Featured Image" is ticked. This is a frequently overlooked setting.

3. Confirm Theme Support

Your theme must explicitly declare support for post thumbnails. This is typically done in the theme's functions.php file. The basic declaration is:

add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails' );

For more targeted support that includes your CPTUI post types, you can use this code snippet:

function my_cptui_featured_image_support() {
    $cptui_post_types = cptui_get_post_type_slugs();
    add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails', $cptui_post_types );
}
add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'my_cptui_featured_image_support' );

4. Test for Conflicts

Conflicts are a common cause. To test:

  1. Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
  2. Deactivate all plugins except Custom Post Type UI.
  3. Check if the Featured Image meta box reappears.
  4. If it does, reactivate your plugins and theme one by one to identify the culprit.

5. Check Your Editor

Some users have found the Featured Image meta box is visible in the Block Editor but hidden in the Classic Editor. Try switching editors to see if this resolves the issue temporarily while you search for a more permanent fix.

6. Clear Caches

If you use any caching plugins or server-level caching, clear all caches after making any of the changes above. A stale cache can sometimes prevent UI changes from appearing.

Adding Featured Image Columns to Admin Lists

A related request is to display the featured image in the admin list table for posts. Custom Post Type UI does not include this functionality, but it can be achieved with a dedicated plugin like Featured Image Admin Thumb or with custom code that adds a column to the display.

When to Seek Further Help

If you have tried all the steps above and the Featured Image meta box is still missing, the issue may be highly specific to your site's configuration. The Custom Post Type UI team suggests providing your exported post type settings (found under CPT UI > Tools) when seeking help in community forums, as this allows others to replicate your setup for testing.

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