---
title: Renaming Rules Not Saved After Updating Settings
description: WordPress file renaming settings reverting after you save? How to track down the cause.
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/renaming-rules-not-saved-after-updating-settings/"
updated: "2026-09-27"
category: Troubleshooting
tags:
  - File Renaming on Upload
---

# Renaming Rules Not Saved After Updating Settings

If rename settings revert after you save in Rename Media Files: Improve Your WordPress SEO, another plugin or the theme is usually interfering, or a PHP error occurs during the save. Switch to a default theme, deactivate other plugins, and save again. If the problem persists, check debug.log and your server error logs for PHP errors.

### Symptom

- After pressing **Save changes**, the rename options look saved, but revisiting the settings page shows them unchecked.
- New uploads use their original filenames instead of the sanitized ones, as if renaming were disabled.

### Cause

This is usually caused by another plugin or the active theme interfering with how the settings are stored, or by a PHP error during the save on a specific server environment.

### Fix steps

1. Change the settings, save, then refresh the page and confirm the options remain checked.
2. If they revert, switch temporarily to a default WordPress theme (for example, Twenty Twenty-One) and deactivate your other plugins to rule out a conflict. Re-test the save.
3. If the problem persists, enable WordPress debugging and check the `debug.log` and your server error logs for PHP errors logged at the moment of saving. Share those logs with support if needed.
4. As a code workaround, you can enforce your rules through the `frou_sanitize_file_name` filter so renaming is always applied regardless of the stored options. See the developer documentation for hook usage.

Keep a record of your working configuration so it is easy to restore, and confirm the settings hold before running any bulk uploads.

Need a hand? Our team answers every ticket on the [Rename Media Files support forum](https://wpfactory.com/support/item/file-renaming-on-upload-wordpress-plugin/).

Related articles

- [How to Create a Custom File Renaming Rule](https://wpfactory.com/docs/create-custom-file-renaming-rule/)
- [Understanding File Renaming Rules](https://wpfactory.com/docs/file-renaming-rule-guide/)
- [File Renaming on Upload Pro: Troubleshooting Tips](https://wpfactory.com/docs/pro-troubleshooting-tips/)
- [How to Restrict File Renaming by User Role or Post Type](https://wpfactory.com/docs/restrict-file-renaming-by-user-role-or-post-type/)
- [File Renaming Settings Reference](https://wpfactory.com/docs/file-renaming-settings-reference/)

 

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