Media Cleaner uses smart analysis to identify media entries and files that may be unused, as well as broken entries. Media Cleaner Pro adds ways to inspect files in uploads, the published site, and content managed by complex plugins and builders. Scan results can include a preview, the reason an item was flagged, its size, and references showing where a file is used.

Choose what to inspect

• Filesystem Analysis: Scans the physical /uploads directory and matches files against the WordPress Media Library. This can help identify files that are no longer represented correctly in the library.
• Live Site Scan: Analyzes the online version of your site and may improve accuracy in some cases.
• WP-CLI support: Lets you execute scans at a higher speed or automate them through direct server access over SSH.

Check builder and extension references

Pro adds support for media references in complex extensions and builders, including ACF, Meta Box, Divi Builder, Fusion Builder for Avada, WPBakery Page Builder, Visual Composer, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Brizy Builder, Oxygen Builder, Slider Revolution, Justified Image Grid, and Avia Framework, with support for many more. Media Cleaner works with media types including retina and WebP versions and has been tested with Gutenberg, a range of themes, and WooCommerce.

Scan coverage depends on how each add-on or builder stores media references. When using the optional AI assistant workflow, the MCP utilities can report which builders and plugins are supported, which are not, and what the scan cannot see.

Review candidates before cleanup

The References tab shows where a file is used, helping you check why it was kept or flagged. Move appropriate items to the internal trash first; recover them there if needed. Permanent deletion requires your explicit confirmation. Keep a backup plan in place before cleanup.

Optional AI assistant workflow

Enable MCP in the Media Cleaner options to let an assistant such as Claude or ChatGPT run a scan, read results, explain why media was reported, ignore false positives, and help with cleanup. Files still go to the trash, and permanent deletion requires explicit confirmation.

Install and scan

1. Upload and activate Media Cleaner Pro in WordPress.
2. Open Meow Apps > Cleaner and configure the appropriate options.
3. Go to Media > Cleaner and run a scan.
4. Review the reported media and files, then move appropriate items to the internal trash.
5. Check the results carefully before confirming any permanent deletion.