Change the default Elementor placeholder image

You can change the default Elementor placeholder image by using a filter hook. The filter hook you will need to use is elementor/utils/get_placeholder_image_src.

Here’s an example of how you can use this filter to change the default placeholder image to an image located in your theme’s directory:

function my_custom_placeholder_image( $image_url ) {
    $image_url = get_template_directory_uri() . '/path/to/your-image.jpg';
    return $image_url;
}
add_filter( 'elementor/utils/get_placeholder_image_src', 'my_custom_placeholder_image' );

Make sure you replace /path/to/your-image.jpg with the actual path to your replacement image in your theme.

Also you can use the full URL of an image located elsewhere on the internet, for example:

function my_custom_placeholder_image( $image_url ) {
    $image_url = 'https://example.com/path/to/your-image.jpg';
    return $image_url;
}
add_filter( 'elementor/utils/get_placeholder_image_src', 'my_custom_placeholder_image' );

This code snippet can be added in the functions.php file of your active theme or using a plugin such as Code Snippets. Also note that the replacement image you use should be of the same size as the original placeholder image, otherwise it may appear distorted.