Multi-site main site contents of image folders disappear periodically.

I have a weird problem I’ve never encountered before. Periodically, I havent been able to figure out when this happens, but the images on the main site disappear. When I go to the folders on the server, the folders are there, but they are empty. I reupload them, and all is back to normal, but this is getting annoying and my client is not happy either.

I checked with the hosting company and they said there is nothing they see on the server nor in the log files that would cause this. They also checke the chron jobs and there are none. They checked for viruses and there are none. This only happens to the main site on this multiSite installation.

Anyone ever heard of this? How do I fix?

  • Dimitris Kalliris
    • Support Team Lead

    Hey there gediweb

    I don’t recall any similar issue, but this still seems like some kind of malicious action. I can see that you’re already using Defender. Is there anything in File Scanning or Audit Logging that could help?

    Also, was this site migrated recently?

    In order to narrow this down, as the issue isn’t replicable, you could create a duplicated environment (staging site), preferrably on the same server, and perform a conflict test in there (deactivate all plugins and use a default theme) and observe if this happens again. If not, and as long as core WP files are intact, then it should be something in the server-side configuration.

    Warm regards,
    Dimitris

  • gediweb
    • The Incredible Code Injector

    Sorry for taking so long to reply. I got really busy with other projects and this one got pushed back in line.
    – The site keeps doing it. Unfortunately. The files keep disappearing periodically.
    – The site is not new and has not been migrated recently.
    I’d like to do what you recommended and perform a conflict test. Can you let me know how to duplicate a multi-site (staging) Is it as easy as duplicating the folder and database onto another domain? I think it’s a little more complicated than that…

  • Nahid
    • Ex Staff

    Hey there, gediweb !
    I hope you are doing well today!

    Can you let me know how to duplicate a multi-site (staging) Is it as easy as duplicating the folder and database onto another domain? I think it’s a little more complicated than that.

    You are correct. Unfortunately, it is not that simple as you’d have to adjust and replace the references of the new domain.

    We’d recommend you to try out our Shipper Pro plugin which can help you create a copy of your multisite installation on another domain. Here’s the usage guide of the plugin.

    Hope this helps. Please let us know if you need any further assistance regarding this. Thanks!

    Kind regards,
    Nahid