Fixing Immich Error Loading Image : A Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Introduction

If you use Immich, a popular self-hosted photo and video management solution, encountering the “Error Loading Image” issue can be frustrating. This error can prevent you from viewing or managing your media files effectively. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of the causes of this issue and offers step-by-step solutions to restore the functionality of your Immich setup.

Common Causes of the “Error Loading Image” Issue

Understanding the root cause of this error is essential for resolving it. Below are the most common reasons why this issue occurs:

Incorrect File Paths

• If the photo storage location has been moved or renamed, Immich may not be able to locate files.
• Incorrect path configurations in docker-compose.yml or .env files can lead to broken image links.

Thumbnail Generation Problems

• Missing or incomplete thumbnails often cause images to appear as broken or inaccessible.
• This issue frequently arises after software updates or system migrations.

Version Compatibility Issues

• Some versions of Immich, such as v1.113.0, have been reported to cause thumbnail or file access issues.
• Reverting to a stable version may help resolve the problem.

Corrupted or Missing Files

• If images are partially uploaded or deleted, they may not display properly.
• Problems may arise when importing images from external libraries such as WhatsApp or Google Photos.

Container Misconfigurations

• Deprecated or orphaned containers may conflict with Immich’s normal operation.
• Outdated configurations in docker-compose.yml can contribute to system errors.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Verify Storage Paths

The first step is to check whether the configured file paths are correct. Run the following command to verify storage locations:

cat docker-compose.yml | grep UPLOAD_LOCATION
cat .env | grep THUMB_LOCATION

Ensure that:

• The UPLOAD_LOCATION and THUMB_LOCATION directories exist.
• The required image and thumbnail files are stored in the correct directories.

Regenerate Thumbnails

• Log in to the Immich Admin Panel.
• Navigate to Administration > Jobs.
• Run the “Generate Thumbnails” job.

This process will restore any missing or corrupted thumbnails.

Restart and Rebuild Containers

Restarting and rebuilding containers can resolve configuration conflicts. Use the following command:

docker-compose down && docker-compose up -d --build

This will remove outdated or conflicting container instances and rebuild the Immich setup from scratch.

Revert to a Stable Version

If the issue persists, reverting to an earlier, stable version may be necessary. Use the following commands:

echo "IMMICH_VERSION=v1.112.1" > .env
docker-compose up -d --build

Rolling back to a previously stable version can help resolve version-related bugs.

Fix File Corruption Issues

Check whether your media files exist and are accessible:

ls -lh /path/to/uploads

If files are missing:

• Re-upload them through the Immich web or mobile app.
• Ensure external libraries, such as Google Photos and WhatsApp, are correctly mounted and accessible.

Remove Deprecated Containers

Outdated or orphaned containers may cause system conflicts. Identify and remove them using:

docker ps -a | grep immich_microservices
docker rm -f immich_microservices

After removing deprecated containers, restart your Immich setup to ensure smooth operation.

Advanced Fixes

Custom Thumbnail Storage Fix

If your thumbnails are stored in a custom location, update the THUMB_LOCATION variable in the .env file:

echo "THUMB_LOCATION=/new/path/thumbnails" >> .env
rm -rf /new/path/thumbnails

Then, regenerate the thumbnails as instructed in previous steps.

External Library Permission Issues

When importing images from external sources such as Google Photos or WhatsApp, permission errors can arise. Adjust file permissions using the following command:

chmod -R 755 /path/to/external/library

If necessary, remount the external library:

mount --bind /source/path /destination/path

Preventing Future Issues

To ensure long-term stability and prevent similar issues from recurring, follow these best practices:

Maintain Regular Backups

Regular backups help prevent data loss. Use this command to create a backup of essential directories:

tar -czf immich_backup.tar.gz /path/to/uploads /path/to/db

Monitor Background Jobs

Regularly check Administration > Jobs to ensure that background processes such as thumbnail generation are completed successfully.

Keep Software Updated

Stay up to date with the latest stable versions of Immich, Redis, and PostgreSQL to minimize compatibility issues.

Remove Deprecated Containers

After major updates, remove unused or deprecated containers using:

docker-compose up -d --remove-orphans

This ensures that obsolete components do not interfere with Immich’s functionality.

Real-World Examples

Version Conflict Resolution

A user running v1.113.0 encountered persistent thumbnail errors. Reverting to v1.112.1 and regenerating thumbnails successfully resolved the problem.

Fixing Orphaned Containers

A deprecated immich_microservices container caused system conflicts. Removing the outdated container and rebuilding the setup eliminated the issue.

Recovering Corrupted Thumbnails

Missing thumbnails resulted in broken images. Deleting the affected thumbnail directory and regenerating the thumbnails fixed the issue:

rm -rf /path/to/thumbnails && docker-compose up -d --build

Conclusion

The “Error Loading Image” issue in Immich is commonly caused by incorrect file paths, missing thumbnails, or version-related conflicts. By following this troubleshooting guide, you can identify and resolve the root cause of the issue efficiently.

Key takeaways:

• Verify and correct storage paths.
• Regenerate thumbnails to restore missing or corrupted files.
• Restart and rebuild containers to fix misconfigurations.
• Revert to a stable version if recent updates introduced issues.
• Maintain regular backups and monitor background jobs to prevent future problems.

By implementing these solutions and best practices, you can ensure a stable and efficient Immich setup for managing your photos and videos.