Immich is a self-hosted photo and video management platform that allows users to store and organize media files. However, many users experience the “Error Loading Image” issue, where photos fail to display correctly or thumbnails do not generate properly.

This problem can occur due to corrupt image files, storage access issues, database errors, or system misconfigurations. Understanding the causes and applying the right fixes can restore Immich’s image display functionality.

Why Does Immich Show “Error Loading Image”?

Immich relies on image storage, metadata indexing, and server-side processing to load and display photos. If any of these components fail, images may not appear properly.

Some common reasons for this error include:

• Corrupt or missing image files preventing Immich from retrieving data.
• Database corruption affecting image metadata indexing.
• Insufficient storage or memory allocation preventing large image previews.
• File permission issues restricting Immich from accessing stored media.
• Docker container misconfigurations affecting the backend services.
• API request failures preventing proper communication between the frontend and backend.

How to Fix “Error Loading Image” in Immich

Try these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

1. Restart Immich and Docker Containers

If Immich is self-hosted using Docker, restarting the containers may resolve temporary glitches.

• Open a terminal and run:docker-compose down
  docker-compose up -d
• Wait for all services to restart and check if images load correctly.

If Immich is running without Docker, restart the server manually.

2. Check Storage Path and Permissions

Immich needs proper access to the storage directory where images are saved.

• Ensure the storage path is correct in the Immich configuration.
• Check file permissions using the following command:ls -l /path/to/immich/storage
• If necessary, update the permissions:chmod -R 755 /path/to/immich/storage
  chown -R immichuser:immichgroup /path/to/immich/storage
• Restart Immich and try accessing images again.

3. Verify Database Integrity

Immich uses PostgreSQL to manage metadata indexing. A corrupted database can cause missing images or loading errors.

• Connect to PostgreSQL:docker exec -it immich_postgres psql -U postgres
• Run a database check:SELECT datname, pg_database_size(datname) FROM pg_database;
• If errors appear, repair the database:REINDEX DATABASE immichdb;
  VACUUM FULL;
• Restart Immich and check if the error is resolved.

4. Clear Cache and Rebuild Thumbnails

Image previews in Immich depend on thumbnail caching. If thumbnails are missing or broken, clearing the cache may help.

• Remove existing cache:rm -rf /path/to/immich/cache/*
• Regenerate thumbnails:docker exec -it immich_app npm run generate-thumbnails
• Refresh the Immich web interface to check if images load properly.

5. Update Immich to the Latest Version

Older Immich versions may have bugs causing image loading issues. Updating to the latest release can fix these errors.

• Check for updates:docker-compose pull
  docker-compose up -d
  
• If running Immich manually, download the latest version from GitHub and install updates.

6. Check Server Logs for Errors

If the issue persists, checking server logs can provide insight into the problem.

• View logs in Docker:docker logs -f immich_app
• Look for errors related to file access, API failures, or database corruption.

7. Try a Different Browser or Device

If Immich is accessible via a web browser, try opening it in a different browser or device.

• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Use Chrome, Firefox, or Edge to check for browser compatibility issues
• If using the mobile app, restart the app and check for updates

8. Contact Immich Support or Check GitHub Issues

If none of these steps resolve the issue, reaching out to the Immich development team or checking the GitHub Issues page may be necessary.

• Provide logs and error messages when reporting the issue.
• Check for recent bug reports or updates related to image loading errors.
• If running a custom setup, share configuration details with the community for troubleshooting assistance.

Conclusion

The “Error Loading Image” issue in Immich is often linked to storage access problems, database corruption, or system misconfigurations. Restarting the system, checking file permissions, and clearing cache can resolve most errors.

If the issue persists, updating Immich or seeking help from the Immich GitHub community may be necessary.

If you have experienced this issue and found a working solution, share your experience in the comments to help others facing similar problems.