If you’re using Immich to manage your photos and videos, running into the “Error Loading Image” problem can be frustrating. You’re trying to enjoy your media or keep things organized, but all you get is a broken thumbnail or missing photo.
This guide explains in simple words why this happens, how to fix it step by step, and how to prevent it in the future. Whether you’re new to Immich or have been self-hosting it for a while, this article will help you solve the issue without wasting hours searching forums.
What Causes the Immich Error Loading Image?
Before we fix the issue, it’s helpful to know what’s going wrong behind the scenes. Here are the most common causes:
1. Incorrect File Paths
If you’ve moved or renamed the upload or thumbnail folders or updated your server setup, Immich may no longer know where to look for your images. This often happens after editing the .env or docker-compose.yml files.
2. Missing or Corrupted Thumbnails
Images usually load as thumbnails first. If thumbnails are missing, damaged, or incomplete, the full image may not appear. This often happens during software updates or when switching from one Immich version to another.
3. Version Compatibility Problems
Some versions of Immich are less stable than others. A known example is v1.113.0, which caused issues for many users. Reverting to a previous stable version like v1.112.1 has solved the problem in real cases.
4. Orphaned or Deprecated Containers
Old containers like immich_microservices sometimes keep running after an update and interfere with new ones. If your containers are not synced or cleaned properly, they can create conflicts and cause the error.
5. External Library Sync Failures
If you’re pulling photos from WhatsApp, Google Photos, or other apps, and they’re not mounted properly, Immich can’t read them. This leads to loading errors.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Immich Error Loading Image
1. Check and Fix File Paths
Open your .env and docker-compose.yml files. Make sure:
- UPLOAD_LOCATION is correct and points to the real folder with your images.
- THUMB_LOCATION matches the folder where thumbnails are stored.
Then check if the folders actually exist and contain the right files.
2. Regenerate Thumbnails
A lot of problems come from broken or missing thumbnails. You can fix this from inside Immich.
Steps:
- Go to Admin Panel > Jobs
- Run Generate Thumbnails
- Wait until the job finishes
This rebuilds the small preview images, which can fix the display issue.
3. Rebuild and Restart Containers
Use these commands:
docker compose down
docker compose up -d –build
This helps clean out outdated containers and rebuild your Immich setup with correct files and paths.
4. Revert to a Stable Version
If you’re using a version that’s causing bugs, downgrade to a working one.
Steps:
- Open your .env file
- Set IMMICH_VERSION=v1.112.1
- Save and run a full rebuild
Many users have fixed this issue just by going back to a version that doesn’t have thumbnail bugs.
5. Fix External Library Mounts
If you’re importing from external apps:
- Check if the folders are correctly mounted in docker-compose.yml
- Make sure the permissions are set so Immich can read those files
- Reconnect or re-import if needed
6. Remove Deprecated Containers
Use this command:
docker compose down –remove-orphans
This removes any hidden or leftover containers that could be causing conflicts.
How to Prevent the Error in the Future?
Now that you’ve fixed the issue, here are some tips to make sure it doesn’t come back:
Always Back Up
Regularly back up these folders:
- Upload location
- Thumbnails folder
- Database files
Use an external drive or cloud sync for safety.
Stay on Stable Versions
Don’t rush to update the moment a new version is released. Wait until the community confirms it’s stable or test it on a copy first.
Clean Up After Updates
Every time you update Immich:
- Remove orphan containers
- Recheck mounts and paths
- Regenerate thumbnails
Monitor Admin Jobs
Check your Admin > Jobs page weekly. If thumbnail generation or sync jobs are failing, fix them early before they affect more images.
Common Real-Life Fixes from Immich Users
- Version Fix: One user had broken images after upgrading to v1.113.0. Reverting to v1.112.1 and regenerating thumbnails solved everything.
- Thumbnail Repair: Another user deleted the corrupted thumbs folder, rebuilt it using the admin job, and all previews returned.
- Orphan Container Cleanup: A conflict with an old immich_microservices container was fixed by removing it and doing a fresh rebuild.
Final Thoughts: Immich Error Loading Image
So, what’s the bottom line? If you’re facing the Immich error loading image, the problem is usually due to missing thumbnails, bad paths, or version bugs. With the steps in this guide, checking paths, regenerating thumbnails, rebuilding containers, and reverting versions, you can fix it quickly and safely. Remember to back up regularly, monitor your jobs, and clean up containers after updates. Immich is powerful, and like any self-hosted tool, it just needs a little care.
