# Uploads stuck or slow

Uploads run as WordPress background tasks. If they aren't moving, WP-Cron is probably off or being blocked, and Offloft shows "Background tasks aren't running". Click **Run now** to process what's waiting, and add a real cron job so they keep running. Your site keeps working from local files meanwhile.

## WP-Cron is off

If `DISABLE_WP_CRON` is set, your server has to run it. **Settings → Advanced** shows the crontab line for your site.

## Your host blocks background requests

Offloft may say your host is blocking WordPress's background requests. **Run now** processes them, and a real cron job avoids the problem. From WP-CLI, `wp offloft run` processes the tasks due now.

## Check the job

**Jobs** shows whether a job is running or paused. A paused job resumes from there. A provider outage pauses work too, and it continues by itself.

## Slow rather than stuck

The speed depends on your host. Work runs in small batches by default, and the limits in **Settings → Advanced** can be changed if support asks. Start with the defaults: 4 uploads at once is safe on shared hosting.

Updated 2026-11-06.

Source: https://www.offloft.com/docs/troubleshooting/uploads-stuck