Fix: “The Image Couldn’t Be Loaded” in Notion

“The image couldn’t be loaded” in Notion (either the desktop app or the web version) typically appears when Notion’s servers are unable to deliver image data to your workspace. This error prevents images from being uploaded or displayed correctly.

At times, users may also encounter similar issues with other HTTP error codes such as 504 (Gateway Timeout) or 400 (Bad Request). These errors generally arise from server communication failures, unstable internet connections, invalid image URLs, or regional access restrictions that interrupt data flow between Notion’s servers and your device.

Now that you understand what the error indicates and what commonly causes it, let’s explore the most effective ways to fix it.

Basic Troubleshooting

• Check your Internet Connection: Ensure your network is stable and fast enough to load media files. A weak or fluctuating connection can block Notion from fetching image assets properly. Test your internet speed using tools like SpeedTest or Fast.
• Restart your Wi-Fi Router: Rebooting your router can help refresh your IP address and resolve background connectivity or DNS issues. This step often clears up temporary glitches that lead to image-loading failures.
• Check Notion Server Status: Sometimes, the issue is entirely on Notion’s end. Visit the Notion Status page to verify if the servers are undergoing maintenance or experiencing outages. If a system-wide disruption is reported, you’ll need to wait for Notion to restore service.

If these initial checks don’t solve the issue, continue with the in-depth solutions below.

1. Refresh the Notion App or Website

Refreshing the app reloads Notion’s current session and clears minor glitches that may prevent image retrieval. This quick action re-establishes communication with Notion’s servers and often fixes the error without requiring further steps.

1. Open Notion on your desktop or browser.
2. Press Ctrl + R (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac) to reload the interface.
3. Reopen your page or project to verify if the image loads correctly.

2. Update the Notion App

Using an outdated Notion version can cause unexpected errors, including image-loading failures. New updates often include bug fixes and performance enhancements that stabilize communication with Notion’s servers. Ensuring your app is up to date can resolve these issues immediately.

Although Notion usually updates automatically, you can manually install the latest version by following these steps:

1. Go to the official Notion website and download the latest setup file.
   
2. Run the installer to overwrite your existing version.
3. Reopen Notion and check if the problem is resolved.

2. Use Notion’s Troubleshooting Menu

Notion temporarily stores cached data to load content faster. However, when this cache becomes corrupted, it can interfere with image loading and syncing. Clearing the local data resets Notion’s temporary files, forcing the app to download fresh data from its servers and resolve caching errors.

1. Launch the Notion desktop app.
2. Click the Notion icon in the upper-left corner.
   
3. Navigate to Help > Troubleshooting > Reset & Erase All Local Data.
   
4. Restart the app and check if the image now loads correctly.