Image Upload Directory Not Functioning Properly

Try checking “Link to File” when inserting documents.

I tried this (though I have not had to do this in the past). If I look at the link url in the editor, it is correct. However, when the page is published the link converts to the post location.
I’ve been using WP for years and am fairly fluent – this is a new situation – very strange.

Have you tried:

– deactivating all plugins to see if this resolves the problem. If this works, re-activate the plugins one by one until you find the problematic plugin(s).

– switching to the Twenty Eleven theme to rule out any theme-specific problems.

– resetting the plugins folder by FTP or PhpMyAdmin. Sometimes, an apparently inactive plugin can still cause problems.

– resetting your custom permalinks back to the default setting via Settings -> Permalinks. If this works, then review Using_Permalinks before setting a custom permalink structure back up again.