--- title: "Using FooBox with the WordPress Core Lightbox" id: "196437" type: "knowledgebase" slug: "foobox-wordpress-core-lightbox" published_at: "2026-07-24T09:19:36+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-24T10:40:47+00:00" url: "https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-wordpress-core-lightbox/" markdown_url: "https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-wordpress-core-lightbox.md" excerpt: "WordPress Image and Gallery blocks have their own “Expand on click” lightbox option. FooBox can take over that intent so editors can use the core control while visitors see FooBox." taxonomy_knowledgebase_cat: - "Block Editor" --- [Block Editor](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/) # Using FooBox with the WordPress Core Lightbox ## Related Articles - [Getting Started with FooBox in the Block Editor](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-block-editor-getting-started/) - [Creating Image Lightboxes](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-image-lightboxes-block-editor/) - [Creating Gallery Lightboxes](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-gallery-lightboxes-block-editor/) - [Creating Video and Iframe Lightboxes (FooBox Pro)](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-video-iframe-lightboxes/) - [Creating Button Lightboxes](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-button-lightboxes-block-editor/) - [Opening Hidden Block Content (FooBox Pro)](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-hidden-block-content/) - [Creating Custom Lightbox Groups](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-custom-lightbox-groups/) - [Opening Shortcodes and FooGallery in FooBox (Pro)](https://fooplugins.com/documentation/foobox/block-editor/foobox-shortcodes-foogallery/) **Need more help?** Browse all documentation or open a support ticket. [All docs](/documentation/) [Support](/support/) WordPress Image and Gallery blocks have their own “Expand on click” lightbox option. FooBox can take over that intent so editors can use the core control while visitors see FooBox. This compatibility feature works in FooBox Free and Pro. It is opt-in and disabled by default. ## 1. Enable the compatibility setting Go to **FooBox → Settings → General → Compatibility** and enable **WordPress Lightbox**. ![FooBox Compatibility settings including the WordPress Lightbox option](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201150%20390'%3E%3C/svg%3E)After enabling it, reopen existing posts in the editor so their block attributes can be synchronized, then save the post. ## 2. Convert a core Image lightbox Select an Image block and enable the native WordPress **Expand on click** option. ![The native WordPress Image block Expand on click control](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201070%20600'%3E%3C/svg%3E)FooBox then: - enables itself on the Image block; - links the image to its media file; - disables the core lightbox flag to avoid duplicate overlays; - exposes the normal FooBox controls for style, theme, group, dimensions, and captions. ![A converted core Image block showing the FooBox controls](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20325%20625'%3E%3C/svg%3E)## 3. Convert a core Gallery lightbox Select the outer Gallery block and choose the native WordPress lightbox link option. ![The native WordPress Gallery lightbox link option](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20600'%3E%3C/svg%3E)FooBox switches the Gallery to media links, assigns a group, mirrors the FooBox settings to its child images, and disables child core-lightbox flags. ![A converted core Gallery showing its FooBox controls](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20325%20650'%3E%3C/svg%3E)## 4. Preview the result The frontend opens one FooBox overlay rather than stacking FooBox and the core WordPress lightbox. ![A WordPress core lightbox choice opening through FooBox on the frontend](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201440%201000'%3E%3C/svg%3E)## Existing saved content FooBox includes a frontend rendering fallback for existing Image and Gallery blocks that still contain core lightbox intent. Editing and saving the post is still recommended because it makes the conversion explicit in the block attributes. ## Troubleshooting - **The core overlay still opens:** confirm the compatibility setting is enabled, reopen the post, and save it again. - **Two lightboxes appear:** check whether the theme or another plugin is forcing its own lightbox. - **A Gallery opens as independent images:** select the outer Gallery, confirm its FooBox group, and save. - **You do not want automatic takeover:** disable WordPress Lightbox compatibility and configure FooBox directly on the blocks you choose. Resources ## Find the right next step Use this grid for documentation indexes, support routes, account links, affiliate resources, and download pages. ![Image](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%200%200'%3E%3C/svg%3E)### Documentation Search setup guides, product docs, and troubleshooting articles. [Browse docs](/documentation/) ![Image](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%200%200'%3E%3C/svg%3E)### Support Open a ticket with product details so we can help quickly. [Get support](/support/) ![Image](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%200%200'%3E%3C/svg%3E)### Licensing Review account, renewal, refund, and license information. [View details](/licensing/)