Share this article
Improve this guide
Broken Image Icon: What Does It Mean & How to Fix It
Get the images to load in no time with our solutions
7 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Whenimageson a website aren’t displayed inGoogle Chrome, you’ll usually get a brokenimageicon. This red x or brokenimageicon highlights a missing picture on a page.
While some users also reported thatimages don’t load in Chrome, in this case, there’s a broken image icon that signifies something wrong with the browser or its settings. So, let’s find out all about it.
Why do images appear broken in Chrome?
If a certainimage isn’t appearing in your browser, it’s probably unavailable on the server, or the image link isn’t up to date.
Your settings can also cause this problem, so ensure images are allowed to load. A corrupted cache can also cause this issue, so make sure to clean it regularly.
However, this issue can be fixed easily, and in this guide, we’ll show you what to do if images are not loading in Chrome.
Speaking ofimageproblems, users reported the following issues:
Quick Tip:
Try loading the same pages with a different browser. It’s no secret that Chrome tends to use a lot of resources, and that can sometimes lead to page-loading issues, including the broken image error.
Troubleshooting may take time, so switch to a lightweight browser. Opera One is a great alternative, with a modular design UI and extra features like tab islands, AI tools, and a free VPN.
Opera One
How do I fix a broken image icon in Chrome?
Before making changes to the browser, we recommend you try these quick fixes:
If nothing earlier worked, head to the solutions listed next.
1. Check if the Show all images optionis selected
If someimages aren’t loading in Chrome, then that might be because theShow all imagesoption isn’t selected.
2. Switch on JavaScript
Some websites use JavaScript to display content, so if pictures are not loading on websites then you need to enable it from Chrome’s settings.
3. Switch off your extensions
If you see broken images in Chrome, it might be because of your extensions. There’s a wide array of extensions available forChrome, and certain extensions can interfere with your browser and cause this issue.
4. Clear Google Chrome’s Cache
The cache stores browsing data, and if you’re getting broken image icon emoji, your cache may be the problem. However, you can fix that with the steps from above.
5. Reset the browser
If none of the above solutions have fixed the broken image icon with png files, then you need to reset the browser. This will effectively restore its original settings and delete all installed extensions, plug-ins, etc.
6. Use Google’s DNS
If your browser isn’t showing images, it might be because of yourDNS issues. Sometimes there might be a problem with your ISP or network connection leading to this issue. To fix the problem, you might want to try using Google’s DNS.
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved. Remember that switching to a Google DNS might make your connection slower, but it should fix the problem with images.
7. Update Chrome
If you’re having issues withGoogle Chromeand broken images, it might be because the software is outdated. Usually, Chrome checks for updates automatically, but you can also check for updates manually.
Once Chrome is up to date, check if the problem is resolved. The latest updates usually fix major problems, so keep your browser up to date.
8. Rename Chrome’s data folder
According to users, if you see a missingimageicon in Chrome, the issue might be related to Chrome’s data folder, and renaming it should do the trick.
It’s worth noting that broken images might have more to do with the web pages than yourGoogle Chromesettings. The images mighthave been removedwithout updating the site page.So make sure you check that beforehand.
In some instances, you might even encounterunresponsive pages in Chrome, which can also easily be fixed.
Please tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Google Chrome Errors
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
