Have you ever uploaded files to your WordPress site via FTP, only to find they don’t appear in your WordPress Media Library? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common frustrations WordPress users face when migrating sites, restoring backups, or bulk uploading media files.
The Problem: Invisible Files
When you upload files directly to your server via FTP or SFTP, WordPress doesn’t automatically register them in the Media Library. The files exist in your `wp-content/uploads` folder, but:
– They don’t appear in Media Library searches
– You can’t insert them into posts or pages
– They’re invisible to WordPress plugins
– You can’t edit or manage them through the admin
This happens because WordPress stores media information in its database, not just on the file system. FTP uploads bypass this database registration entirely.
The Solution: Linda Media Sync
**Linda Media Sync** is a free WordPress plugin that bridges this gap. It scans your uploads directory, finds all unregistered files, and syncs them to your Media Library with a single click.
Once synced, your files become **fully searchable** and manageable — just like any file uploaded through the WordPress admin.
Key Features
**Smart Scanning**
The plugin uses AJAX-powered scanning that won’t timeout, even on sites with thousands of files. It automatically skips WordPress-generated thumbnails to avoid duplicates.
**Advanced Filtering**
Filter your scan by:
– File type (Images, Documents, Video, Audio)
– Specific format (JPG, PNG, WebP, PDF, MP4, etc.)
– Date range
– Duplicate detection via MD5 hash
**User-Friendly Interface**
– Preview thumbnails for images
– Pagination for large result sets (20 files per page)
– Bulk selection across pages
– Real-time progress bars
**Complete Logging**
Every sync operation is logged with timestamps, file names, and status. Export your logs to CSV for record-keeping.
How to Use Linda Media Sync
1. **Install the plugin** — Upload via WordPress admin or download from GitHub
2. **Navigate to Media → Linda Media Sync**
3. **Set your filters** — Choose file types and date range if needed
4. **Click “Scan for Unsynced Media”** — The plugin will find all unregistered files
5. **Select files and click “Sync Selected”** — Files are now in your Media Library!
Who Needs This Plugin?
– **Site migrators** — Moving from another platform to WordPress
– **Backup restorers** — Restoring files from server backups
– **Bulk uploaders** — Adding large numbers of files via FTP
– **Developers** — Managing client sites with external file uploads
– **Anyone** with files in uploads that aren’t in the Media Library
Safe for Production
Linda Media Sync is completely safe to use on live sites:
– Runs only in the admin area
– Uses WordPress core functions
– Includes proper security checks (nonce verification, capability checks)
– Never modifies your original files
– Preserves original filenames and dates
Get Started
Download Linda Media Sync today and finally make those FTP uploaded files searchable in your WordPress Media Library.