directory does not exist OC v3

I can upload into any existing folders I have... but I cannot upload a file into the default main folder and I cannot create any more new folders.
I get Warning, directory does not exist.. see screenshot.

Check the permissions and owner of those folders.

The image folder is fine Thats the one I cant write into, the sub folders UNDER the image folder are working fine, I can upload files to them.
It is illogical lol
config.php has define('DIR_IMAGE', '/home/ardragifts/public_html/image/'); in the root and admin folder.
I keep looking around and it seems this has been a problem for many years.. ugghhhh lol
See screenshot

Check ownership permissions, not just chmod. You may need to SSH and chown the owner/user permissions. Offhand - I am not sure if cPanel file manager can show you ownership. You may be able to toggle that option somewhere.

Further try uploading via FTP.

Are there any existing images in the root image folder? If you have some large ones it might also be an issue.

Finally check your actual cPanel error log and see if anything is in there.