Hello @rjp92,
Thank you for reaching out! I understand you’re facing issues with protecting media files using the Prevent Direct Access plugin. Let’s work through this together.
It seems the issue might be related to NGINX configuration. If your website uses NGINX, you’ll need to ensure the proper rewrite rules are set up. Please follow the steps below:
- Copy the rewrite rules shown on the Prevent Direct Access settings page.
- Locate your NGINX config file, often found at:
/etc/nginx/site-available/etc/nginx/conf/site-available (for Arch Linux users).
- Paste the copied rules within the
server block of your config file.
- Restart your NGINX server to apply the changes.
Once this is done, the Prevent Direct Access plugin should work correctly on your website.
If your online website doesn’t use NGINX, and the issue persists even after trying these steps, please let us know. Sharing additional details about your hosting environment (e.g., server type, plugins in use) will help us troubleshoot further.
Looking forward to your update!
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
The online server dont use NGINX but seems work on apache. List of plugins i dont share on forums where everyone can watch it (for security). But i dont know if you familiar with the problem and can say wich settings or plugins can cause the problem?
I tried also to deactivate all other plugins on the local wordpress, but didnt solve the problem. Also the local wordpress is on Local WP, so i dont know how to do something there on the ‘NGINX server’.
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
As well both online as ofline (local wp) I cant click on ‘configure file protection’. This should normally working right? I can only use grid view, click on a image, and click in ‘protect this file’ (where it then wil hanging on ‘protecting’
Hello @rjp92,
Thank you for your reply! Could you confirm whether you’re using PDA Lite or PDA Gold? The “Configure File Protection” option is only available in the Gold version, so this might explain why you’re unable to access it.
If you’re using PDA Gold and still facing issues, please feel free to reach out via our Support Form, and we’d be happy to assist further!
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
I dont use gold. But i dont understand the plugin then. Because you have then a free version for what? That dont make sense
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
Hello @rjp92 ,
Thank you for your response! To clarify:
- You can definitely protect your files using the free (Lite) version of the plugin, which includes several useful features.
- The “Configure File Protection” option is available in the list view of your media library, not in the grid view. To manage file protection more easily, please switch to the list view.
- If the “Protecting” status keeps showing, ensure that the file exists in your media library and try deactivating other plugins one by one, as outlined in our troubleshooting guide: Prevent Direct Access Lite Documentation. Link: https://preventdirectaccess.com/docs/prevent-direct-access-lite/
Let us know if you have any other questions—we’re happy to help!
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
Oke.
uhm I did deactivate all the plugins, unfortunally this didnt solve the problem.
I dont know if there are other things you know why its not working. Are there special settings somewhere? or if you had put some code in the htacces its in problem because of that?
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
Is there also a different between multisite and single site? Because when making ofline a new wordpress singel site with LocalWP, the plugin seems to work. Even I still got the message to change someting in a NGINX file, that i didnt do.
If so, how to solve that?
Hello @rjp92,
Thank you for the update! To protect your files, please make sure you’re using the list view in the media library. First you need to select the “List view” in the top left, then click on “Configure file protection” for the file you want to protect. Now click on “Protect this file”.
Your file should now be protected.
Could you also confirm if your website is a multisite setup? The free version of the plugin supports single-site installations only. If you’re using a multisite network, you’ll need the Gold version to ensure compatibility.
Let me know if you have any other questions or if there’s anything else I can assist with!
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
I already try list view
Yes I use multisite. but the plugin seems ‘normaly’ to work. But if this is the isseu, why its not standing good on the site and or plugin page? This safed me a ton of time. And i not gona pay that gold price for for a handfull things to prevent acces. Thats to overpriced
Hello @rjp92,
Thank you for confirming! While the plugin may appear to work on multisite, the features are only officially supported in the Gold version. I understand your frustration, and I’ll pass your feedback regarding clearer messaging on our site and plugin page to the team for consideration.
The Lite version is designed for single-site use and offers essential file protection features at no cost. However, the Gold version includes advanced features and multisite support, which is why it’s priced accordingly. If you’d like, I’d be happy to discuss your specific needs and explore potential alternatives within our offerings.
Let us know if you have additional questions or need further assistance!
Thread Starter
rjp92
(@rjp92)
Oke yeh i dont need additional settings, just that the lite version can work on multisite
Hello @rjp92
Thank you for your feedback!
PDA Lite is not designed to work on WordPress multisite networks due to the platform’s complex structure and the way media files are managed across different subsites. We appreciate your understanding and will pass your input along to our team for future improvements.
Let us know if you have additional questions or need further assistance!
