Images do not load most commonly because some messages are sent in plain text instead of HTML. Plain text does not support embedding or viewing photos; all images are automatically attached to the letter.
Also, it can happen when your email client/service/app blocks external images (images stored on a secure online server). So, ensuring images are enabled/allowed in your email client/service/app is essential. Here is the list of popular email clients/services/apps:
Gmail web
Starting in 2013, Gmail will no longer ask you to display images. Instead, Google will now scan the images you receive for any threats and then serve its pictures through their proxy servers; this way, you cannot compromise viruses or malware. But if you still have the issue with the image loading/displaying, please check the following settings:
On your computer, go to Gmail.
In the top right, click Settings, then click See all settings.
Scroll down to the "Images" section.
Click Always display external images.
At the bottom of the page, click Save Changes.
Note: If Gmail thinks a sender or message is suspicious, you won't see images automatically. Instead, you'll be asked if you want to see the picture.
Outlook web (OWA)
Always show images:
If images don't load on Outlook.com, please check your settings.
On your computer, go to Outlook.com.
In the top right, click Gear icon and View all Outlook settings.
Go to General settings.
Go to the Privacy and data section and choose Always use the Outlook service to load images.
Close the settings window to save changes.
Outlook on Mac
By default, Outlook for Mac doesn't automatically download pictures or photos in email messages if the images are stored on the Internet. You might see blue question marks instead of pictures in your mail. You can turn this setting off. Please follow these steps to do this:
Start the Outlook client.
Navigate to the Outlook menu and select Settings.
Under the Email section, click Reading.
On the Reading page, select "Automatically" for the Download external images.
Save the changes and exit the Settings window.
Outlook 2003
Show all blocked images in the message:
Then, click the InfoBar at the top of the message and click Download Pictures.
Note: If you want the pictures message to show the pictures the next time you open the message, save the message.
Change the default so that Outlook doesn't block images in all messages:
On the Tools menu, click Options.
Click the Security tab.
Under Download Pictures, click Change Automatic Download Settings.
Clear the Don't download pictures or other content automatically in HTML email check box.
Outlook 2007
Unblock picture downloads for a single message:
You can unblock downloads of linked pictures and other external content for a single message from a trustworthy source. Then, click the InfoBar at the top of the message and click Download Pictures.
Note: When you click Download Pictures in a message you preview in the Reading Pane, the message is automatically saved, and the pictures are displayed again the next time you open the message. When you click Download Pictures in an open letter, if you want your Outlook to show the images the next time you open the message, you must save the message.
Unblock picture downloads for all messages:
On the Tools menu, click Trust Center and click Automatic Download.
Clear the Don't download pictures automatically in HTML email messages or RSS items check box.
Unblock picture downloads for all messages from a particular email address or domain:
Right-click one of the blocked items in an open message sent from that email address or domain.
On the shortcut menu, click Add Sender to Safe Senders List or Add the Domain @domain to Safe Senders List.
Outlook 2010/2013/2016
Click the File tab.
Click Options.
Click Trust Center.
Under Microsoft Outlook Trust Center, click Trust Center Settings.
Clear the Don't download pictures automatically in HTML email messages or RSS items check box.
Thunderbird
By default, Mozilla Thunderbird turns off viewing of remote images in emails. It is a security measure enacted to prevent viruses and other malicious devices from infiltrating your computer via email. You can temporarily enable remote pictures by clicking on the "Show Remote Content" in the alert bar at the top of the message, but there is also a more permanent fix for those who want it; follow these steps:
Open the Thunderbird Menu (three dots) and click Settings.
Find the Privacy section in the Privacy & Security tab and check the "Allow remote content in messages" box.
Open an email with remote images in your Thunderbird. You should now be able to view those images.
Mac Mail
Сheck if your Mac Mail allows remote loading of images and content (images included in your signature stored on our secure server) by doing the following:
For macOS Big Sur and earlier, go to Mail > Preferences > Viewing > check Load remote content in messages. This will make sure all images load in your emails.
For macOS Monterey and newer, go to Mail > Preferences > Privacy > uncheck the Protect Mail Activity box and Block All Remote Content.
Mail app on iPhone/iPad
The iPhone/iPad can block external images in the signature (logo, personal photo, social icons, etc., stored on our server).
Please ensure the following:
For the oldest iOS version (iOS 14 and earlier), please follow these steps:
Select the My Settings icon.
From the Settings menu on the left, select Mail > Contacts > Calendars.
On the right, it will say Mail. Go to Load Remote Images and move the bar to the ON setting.
For the newest iOS versions (iOS 15 and newer), the previous Load Remote Images option was replaced by three Privacy Protection settings. To open the needed settings, please follow these steps:
Select the My Settings icon.
From the Settings menu on the left, select Mail.
In the MESSAGES section, find Privacy Protection and turn OFF the "Protect Mail Activity" and "Block all remote content" options.
Gmail app on iPhone/iPad
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app;
At the top left, tap Menu (three dots);
Go to Settings (gear icon);
Under the Inbox section, click Email preferences;
Click Images and choose "Always Display external images".
Note: If Gmail thinks a sender or message is suspicious, you won't see images automatically. Instead, you'll be asked if you want to see the picture.
Outlook app on iPhone/iPad
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Outlook app;
At the top left, tap your account icon;
Tap the Settings gear icon on the bottom left of the menu.
Find the Account Settings section and turn off the Block External Images.
Outlook app on Android phone
1. On your Android phone, open the Outlook app;
2. At the top left, tap your account icon;
3. Tap the Settings gear icon on the bottom left of the menu.
4. Find the General section and tap on Accounts;
5. Choose the Email Account you want to make the changes for;
6. Turn off the Block external images option in the Mail & Calendar section.
Windows Live
Open the desired message.
Click Show content in the yellow security bar at the top of the message.
Spark on Mac
Open Spark Desktop and use the ⌘ shortcut (press and hold ⌘) or click the Preferences icon at the bottom left.
Go to the Main tab in the General menu tab.
Scroll down to Privacy and check Load Remote Images.
Spark on Windows
Click Preferences at the bottom left.
Go to the General setting.
Turn on Load Remote Images.
Hotmail
In the Mail Options screen, click the "Options" link on the yellow alert bar and "Spam" on the left sidebar.
In the SpamGuard section, check one of the following options: "Always show images, except in Spam folder" or "Show images only from my contacts."
Click the "Save Changes" button when finished.
Yahoo
Make sure you allow external images for messages:
Click the "Change settings" link on the yellow alert bar, then View email settings > Show images in messages > choose Always, except in spam folder.
Or, you can go to Settings (Gear icon) > More settings >View email > Show images in messages > choose Always, except in spam folder.
AOL Webmail
Display images for individual email:
At the top of the email, click For this message.
You will see this note at the top of the email – "Show images: for this message | always for this sender.".
Display images for the individual sender:
At the top of the email, click For this sender.
You will see this note at the top of the email – "Show images: for this message | always for this sender."
Do you have other questions? Check our Knowledge Base for more articles, or contact our Support Team via live chat or email.