Image Optimizer by Elementor
Image Optimizer by Elementor is a server-side image compression plugin that works on any WordPress site — Elementor is not required to use it. It compresses images asynchronously using Action Scheduler background jobs. Because compression runs after the upload completes, WP Media Cloud offloads the original uncompressed file first. The interaction with local file removal is important to understand before enabling both together.
How they work together#
Image Optimizer by Elementor enqueues a background compression job immediately on upload rather than compressing during the upload request. The sequence for new uploads is:
- WordPress processes the upload and generates attachment metadata
- Image Optimizer enqueues a background Action Scheduler job and returns immediately — no compression happens at this point
- WP Media Cloud’s offload handler runs and offloads the original uncompressed file to cloud storage
- Later, the Action Scheduler background job runs and checks whether the local file exists before compressing
New uploads are always offloaded uncompressed initially. Whether the optimized version is subsequently uploaded to cloud storage depends on whether local files are present when the background job runs.
Local file removal compatibility#
With local file removal disabled (recommended)
When local copies are kept on the server, the background compression job finds the local file, compresses it, and writes the optimized version back. WP Media Cloud detects the updated file and re-offloads the optimized version to cloud storage. The final result in your bucket is the compressed version, though there is a window between upload and background job completion where the uncompressed file is live.
With local file removal enabled
When local files are deleted after offloading, the background compression job runs but cannot find the local file. It logs an error internally and silently skips the compression for those sizes. The uncompressed file remains in cloud storage with no further action. Bulk optimization has the same limitation — the plugin checks for local file existence before sending files to the compression API.
Configuration#
No configuration is required in WP Media Cloud. The plugin is detected automatically and its status is reported on the Integrations tab. Image Optimizer by Elementor has its own settings panel for compression level and format preferences.
The plugin does not require an Elementor installation or an Elementor subscription for basic compression. Some features are part of Elementor One or require an API credit balance.
Recommended workflow#
For new uploads to be offloaded in their compressed form, keep local file removal disabled in WP Media Cloud settings. The background job compresses the file, WP Media Cloud re-offloads the optimized version, and the final file in cloud storage is compressed. Enabling local file removal breaks this re-offload step.
If disk space is a concern and local file removal must be enabled, accept that new uploads will be offloaded uncompressed. Run the plugin’s bulk optimization tool periodically with local file removal temporarily disabled to compress and re-offload existing media.
Troubleshooting#
Images are not being compressed after upload
Image Optimizer by Elementor compresses asynchronously using Action Scheduler. If compression is not running, confirm that Action Scheduler is processing jobs correctly. Go to Tools > Scheduled Actions in WordPress to check for pending or failed jobs. If WP-Cron is disabled or loopback requests are blocked, Action Scheduler may not be running. Check the Health tab in WP Media Cloud for WP-Cron and loopback status.
Compressed version is not being re-offloaded to cloud storage
Local file removal is likely enabled. The background compression job writes the optimized file back locally, and WP Media Cloud re-offloads on the next attachment metadata update. If local files were removed before the background job ran, there is nothing to re-offload. Disable local file removal to allow the re-offload to happen.
Bulk optimization skips offloaded files
The plugin checks for local file existence before compressing. Files that have been offloaded and had their local copies removed will be silently skipped. Temporarily disable local file removal and restore local copies before running bulk optimization.