How-To

Fixing the Google Slides Error Image Could Not Be Loaded

By Adam Davidson

Published April 29, 2024

Having problems adding images to Google Slides? Here’s what to try if you’re getting the Google Slides error image could not be loaded.

Google Slides is an excellent slideshow application that allows you to create slideshow presentations completely for free. The app includes a lot of useful features that you find in paid alternatives and allows you to produce some impressive results.

Adding images in Google Slides is a great way to make them more interesting and to get across information in an easily digestible format. Sometimes, however, you may find that your images won’t display and that you get an error instead. Here’s what to try if you’re getting the Google Slides error image could not be loaded.

Check the File Type

One of the simplest reasons you’re seeing this error in Google Slides is that you’re trying to insert an image in an unsupported file type. Google Slides supports a wide range of file types, but some image file types aren’t supported.

The supported file types are:

• JPEG
• PNG
• GIF
• BMP
• TIFF
• SVG

If you’re trying to insert an image that uses a different file type, this may be the cause of your error. You’ll need to find another image or convert your current image to one of the support file types.

Convert the Image

If your image isn’t supported, you can convert it to a suitable format on your computer or smartphone. You should then be able to insert the image into Google Slides without any issues.

How to Convert an Image on Mobile

If you’re using your mobile device, the quickest way to convert an image to another format is to use an online image converter. These are websites that allow you to upload an image, convert it to a different format, and download the converted image. There are plenty of options available. In this example, I’ll be using freeconvert.com.

1. Open freeconvert.com in your browser of choice.
2. Tap Choose Files.
   
3. Tap From Device.
   
4. Select the file you want to convert.
5. Select an image format supported by Google Slides in the Output drop-down.
   
6. Tap Convert.
   
7. Once the file is converted, tap Download.
   
8. The file will be saved to your device.
9. Try inserting it into Google Slides again.

How to Convert an Image on Windows

If you’re using Windows, you can use the default Photos app.

1. Locate the image you want to convert.
2. Right-click and select Open With > Photos.
   
3. Click the Three Dots icon in the menu bar.
   
4. Select Save As.
   
5. Select a supported format in the Save As drop-down.
   
6. Click Save and your image will be converted.
7. Try adding the new image to your Google Slides document.

How to Convert an Image on Mac

If you’re using a Mac, you can use the Preview app to convert a file from one format to another.

1. Locate the file you want to convert.
2. Right-click and select Open With > Preview.
   
3. Click the Preview File menu.
   
4. Select Export.
   
5. Click the Format drop-down and select one of the image formats supported by Google Slides.
   
6. Click Save.
7. Try inserting the new image into Google Slides.

Upload the Image From Google Drive

If you’re not having any success importing an image from your device into Google Slides, you can try adding one from Google Drive instead. Some users have found that they were able to add images from Google Slides even when local files weren’t working.

1. Open Google Drive.
2. Click the New button.
   
3. Select File Upload.
   
4. Select the image you want to insert into Google Slides and click Open.
5. Open Google Slides and select the slide where you want to insert your image.
6. Click the Insert menu.
   
7. Select Image > Drive.
   
8. Select the image you want to insert from your Google Drive.
9. Click the Insert button.
   
10. Your image should be inserted into your slide.

Try Adding the Image to a Google Doc First

Some users have found that they weren’t able to add an image directly into Google Slides, but if they added the image to a Google Docs document first, and then copied it into Google Slides, it would add the image correctly.

1. Open a new Google Docs document.
2. Click the Insert menu.
   
3. Select Image > Upload From Computer.
   
4. Choose the image file you want to use and click Open.
5. Right-click the image in the document and select Copy.
   
6. Open Google Slides and select the slide where you want to paste the image.
7. Press Ctrl+V on Windows or Cmd+V on Mac to paste the image into Google Slides.

Check Google’s Servers

If you’re unable to insert an image from Google Drive, it may be because there is an issue with Google’s servers. Check the current status of Google’s servers using a site such as downdetector.com to see if there are any issues. If there are,  you’ll need to wait until the servers are back up and running again before inserting a file from Google Drive.

Check Your Network Connection

If you’re trying to insert an image from Google Drive, the problem may be that you don’t have a network connection. Without access to the internet, Google Slides won’t be able to access the images in your Google Drive. Try doing a web search in a browser to see if your network connection is working ok. If it isn’t, you’ll need to fix your network connection before you can insert Google Drive images into Google Slides.

Try Using Slides in Incognito Mode

The Google Slides error stating that your image could not be loaded may be caused by browser extensions interfering with the proper working of Google Slides. A quick way to test this is to try opening Google Slides in Incognito mode (or your browser’s equivalent) to see if this fixes the problem. If it does, the problem is probably caused by one of your extensions.

Turn Off Extensions

If you find that you are able to insert images in Google Slides without any problems in Incognito mode, then extensions may be the cause of your issues. You can try disabling all of your extensions and then enabling them one at a time until you find the culprit. The method will be different depending on the browser you use; here’s how to do it in Chrome.

1. Click the Three Dots icon in the top right of the screen.
   
2. Select Extensions > Manage Extensions.
   
3. Toggle all extensions off.
   
4. Turn on one extension and try using images in Google Slides again.
5. If it works, turn that extension off, turn on another, and try again.
6. Repeat until you find the extension that stops Google Slides from working correctly.
7. Disable or remove this extension; you can turn all the other extensions back on again.

Fixing Google Slides Image Errors

If you’re seeing the Google Slides error image could not be loaded, then hopefully one of the fixes above has helped. If you find any other useful solutions, please let us know in the comments below.

Problems inserting images in Google Slides can be frustrating, as images are a great way to get across information without relying on a lot of text in a slideshow presentation. Images such as charts, for example, can be highly useful in getting information across. If you’re unable to use images in Google Slides, it can reduce the quality of your slideshows, so it’s important to try and find a working solution.