File type or page access not permitted

Encountering the message “File type or page access not permitted” is a common hurdle during file uploads in WordPress. Typically arising when adding a new file to your Media Library, this issue emphasizes the importance of meticulous software project management. Understanding the supported file types within WordPress is integral to a seamless experience, ensuring your project progresses without disruptions. As a leading software project Management company in Kakkanadu, Ernakulam (Kochi), we specialize in navigating such intricacies to enhance your overall project management efficiency.

WordPress enforces security restrictions on the types of files that can be uploaded through the admin dashboard. Accepted formats typically include common images, videos, documents, and audio files. To address this issue, you can choose to upload files using FTP or your hosting file manager app, although it may be less convenient than utilizing the WordPress media library.

How to fix the “File type or page access not permitted” error in WordPress.

Check and Fix the File Type Extension Spelling

When attempting to upload a typical file type that you’ve successfully uploaded before but encounter this error, it’s probable that you’ve made a spelling mistake in the file extension. The file extension is the 3 or 4-letter suffix indicating the file type and is located at the end of file names on your computer.

For example, an image file might be labeled as “holidayphoto.png,” with “holidayphoto” representing the file name and “png” indicating the extension. These extensions are universally recognized by various programs and applications, including WordPress, to identify file types.

Here are the default WordPress file types and extensions:

Images: .png, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .ico, .webp
Documents: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .ppsx, .odt, .psd
Audio: .wav, .mp3, .m4a, .ogg
Video: .mp4, .m4v, .mpg, .mov, .wmv, .avi, .ogv, .3gp, .3g2

Suggestion: While WordPress allows video uploads, it’s advisable to host your videos on a dedicated video hosting platform. This ensures optimal website speed and performance.

Upon encountering this error, we advise you to begin by verifying the file extension for accuracy. In some cases, file name extensions can be accidentally deleted or mistyped when editing or saving files on your computer.

To check file extensions on Windows 10 and 11, navigate to the folder containing your file and click on the ‘View’ link at the top of the window. Then, ensure that the ‘File name extensions’ box is checked.

After selecting that option, the extensions will become visible next to the file names.

For example, in the illustration below, you can clearly identify it as a JPG image.

Note: This will show the extension for all files on your computer, not just the ones in this folder.

If you’re using a Mac, you can enable the display of file extensions by opening the Finder app and selecting Finder » Preferences from the top menu.

To open the Preferences window, click on the ‘Advanced’ tab, and make sure to check the box next to ‘Show all filename extensions’ option. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to see the file’s name endings.

Next, find the file you want to upload and check if it has the right ending. If it’s wrong, just right-click on it and choose ‘Rename’ to change the name and give it the correct ending.

Allow New File Types in WordPress With the File Upload Types Plugin

If you’re trying to upload a file in WordPress, but it’s not allowed, you can make it work by adding it to the list of allowed file types. The File Upload Types plugin is a simple tool that can help you get past the ‘Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons’ error. It was made by Syed Balkhi, one of the co-founders of WPBeginner.

Start by getting the File Upload Types plugin and turning it on. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can check our guide on adding a plugin to WordPress for help.

Once it’s on, go to the ‘Settings’ and choose ‘File Upload Types’ in your WordPress admin area. Then, just type the type of file you want to use in the search

After that, put a checkmark in the box next to the type of file you want to allow. Remember to click the ‘Save Settings’ button at the bottom of the screen to save your changes.

Now, go back to the media library, and you’ll be able to add your files without any error messages.

Allow New File Types Using WPCode

You can choose which file types are okay to upload on your WordPress website by making manual changes. But be careful, because editing your site’s files directly can be risky. Even small mistakes can lead to significant WordPress problems.

That’s why we suggest using WPCode. WPCode is a great plugin for WordPress that lets you add pieces of code to your website without needing to directly change your functions.php file. WPCode even has a code snippet designed for letting you upload SVG files. You can find more information in our guide on how to include SVG images in WordPress.

Ensuring Your WordPress Website Stays Safe While Allowing More Kinds of Files

WordPress blocks certain types of files to make sure your website stays safe. If you decide to allow more types of files, it’s really important to take some extra steps to keep your WordPress site secure. Here’s what you should do:

1. Limit what people who aren’t registered on your site can upload. They should only be able to upload the types of files they actually need to use, and you can set this up with a file upload form.
2. Use a special WordPress security plugin to keep an eye on your site for any weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
3. Regularly check your WordPress site to make sure there’s no bad or harmful code hiding in it.
4. Think about setting a maximum size for files that can be uploaded. This helps stop users from putting up really large files that might have harmful stuff in them.
5. Keep a log of what users do on your site, so you have a record of which user put up each file. This can be useful for tracking things.

How We Can Support You?

With our roots firmly in Kakkanadu and with over 12 years of experience, we have established ourselves as a leading force in the IT industry,  providing tailored services that are both advanced and reliable.

Whether you’re initiating a new project, require assistance with existing systems, or need expert IT consultation, we’re your dedicated collaborators in achieving success. Our services extend beyond development; we are your partners in progress. Our solutions are tailored to align with your unique objectives, and we work closely with you to transform your vision into reality.

Contact us for all your IT-related needs, be it Website Development, Software Development, Mobile App Development, or expert consultation. Together, we can harness technology’s potential to reach greater heights.