How to Fix Cannot Send Images on Slack

Don’t know why you cannot send images on Slack?

Millions of users rely on Slack to relay information to their workmates and team. With Slack, you can upload files and share them with your team if you need some help or the project requires collaborative work. 

One of the most common file types that are shared on Slack is images. 

Whether you are sharing screenshots, design proposals, or sending a chart for your report, Slack can definitely handle it. 

Now, if you’re here, it’s safe to assume that you are having difficulty sending images to your team and workmates. 

Usually, this problem on Slack is caused by faulty servers, unstable network connections, or an outdated app version. However, it’s also possible that the image file you’re sending is corrupted or broken. 

To help you out, we’ve decided to make a guide on what to do if you cannot send images on Slack. 

Let’s get started!

1. Check Slack Servers. 

Before changing anything on your device, we suggest checking Slack’s servers first if you cannot send images. This way, you can quickly identify if the problem is on your side or Slack’s end. 

To do this, visit Slack’s System Status page and check if there are reported problems with Slack’s services. 

If Slack’s servers are down, the best option you have is to wait for their team to address the situation. However, if there’s no issue with Slack, you can proceed to the following method below to fix the problem on your end. 

2. Restart Your Device.

If you cannot send images on Slack, you should try restarting your device first. This will reload all of its resources and refresh Slack’s data, which may have run into temporary errors during use. 

For Windows users, follow the guide below to restart your computer: 

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key to access the Start Menu. 
2. After that, go to the Power tab. 
3. Finally, click the Restart button. 

---

On macOS, you can restart it by doing the following: 

1. First, click on the Apple logo on the top left corner of your screen. 
2. Now, choose Restart. 
3. Lastly, click the Restart button on the dialog box to confirm your action. 

---

If you are using an Android device, see the steps below to restart it: 

1. On your device, find the Power button and hold it down. 
2. Next, release the Power button once the options menu appears. 
3. Finally, tap on Restart to reboot your device. 

---

On iOS devices, you can restart its system by doing the following steps: 

1. Access the Assistive Touch on your device and open the Device tab. 
2. Next, tap on More. 
3. Finally, choose the Restart option. 

Once your device has restarted, go back to Slack and see if you can now send images. 

3. Check Your Network Connection. 

Another reason why you cannot send images on Slack is if you have slow or unstable internet. Since you are uploading a file to Slack’s servers, a decent network speed is required, even if you’re just sending a small file. 

To check if your network is the problem, perform a speed test by accessing Fast.com on any browser to measure your network’s upload and download bandwidth. 

If the test suggests that your connection is unstable, restart your modem or router to refresh the link between your ISP’s servers and your router. Disconnect your router’s power cable from the source and wait for at least 5 seconds before plugging it back in. 

After restarting your router, run another test to confirm if your network is now running correctly. If you continue to experience slow or unstable speeds, contact your service provider and report the problem with your connection. 

4. Try Using Other Connections. 

Your ISP may be experiencing technical issues at the moment, which causes Slack not to work correctly. If this is the case, you can try connecting to a different wireless network to see if you can send images. 

For mobile users, you can switch to cellular data and try sending an image to your team. However, keep in mind that this can eat up your data allowance if you plan on sending a few photos or files. 

If you don’t have an alternative connection, you can try sending an image after a few hours or when your ISP has resolved the issue with their service. 

5. Clear Slack’s Cache.

Slack uses temporary data called caches to improve its performance when loading up previous conversations, files, and profiles. However, these data could accumulate overtime or get corrupted due to bugs and glitches on the platform. 

When this happens, Slack may not work as it should, or some of its services may not function. 

To fix this, follow the steps below to clear Slack’s cache: 

1. On your computer, launch the Slack app and access the Menu. 
2. Now, hover the cursor to the Help tab and click on Troubleshooting. 
3. Finally, click on Clear Cache and Restart. 

Once Slack has restarted, try sending an image to your team to see if the problem is solved.

 

6. Clear Your Browsing Data. 

If you are using a web browser, you can try clearing your cache and data if you cannot send images on Slack. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. On your browser, go to the Settings and scroll down to Privacy and Security. 
2. After that, click on the Clear Browsing Data button. 
3. Now, include ‘Cached Images and Files’ and ‘Cookies and Other Site Data’ in the process. 
4. Finally, change the Time Range to All Time and hit the Clear Data button. 

After clearing your browsing data, go back to Slack and send an image to check if the problem is solved. 

7. Allow Slack to Your Firewall (Windows). 

Slack may not be included on Windows Firewall’s exception list, which explains why you cannot send images or files. To fix this, simply allow Slack through your firewall, and you should be able to share photos with your team. 

Check out the steps below to allow Slack on Windows Firewall: 

1. First, go to the Control Panel and click on System and Security. 
2. After that, click on Windows Defender Firewall. 

3. Now, click on ‘Allow an App or Feature Through Windows Defender Firewall’.
4. Choose the Allow Another App option and click Browse on the new window.
5. Next, go to the Desktop tab and click on Slack.
6. Lastly, click on Add and make sure that all checkboxes for Slack are marked checked. 

Once done, restart the Slack app and see if you can now send images. 

8. Check the Image File. 

If you still can’t send images on Slack, we suggest checking the image file you want to share. Make sure that it is in the correct format, and you can access it without problems on your computer. 

You should also ensure that the file is not corrupted or broken before sending it on Slack. 

For Windows users, you should also check if the image you want to send is in ‘Read Only’ mode. To do this, right-click on the image file and select Properties. Now, find the Attributes tab and make sure that ‘Read Only’ mode is not enabled. 

Afterward, go back to Slack and send the image again to see if the problem is solved. 

9. Reinstall Slack. 

Slack’s installation files may have gotten severely corrupted and can no longer be fixed. If this is the case, we suggest reinstalling the app on your device to ensure that you have the latest working copy. 

For Windows PCs, you can delete Slack by doing the following: 

1. On your computer, go to the Control Panel and click on Uninstall a Program. 
2. After that, locate the Slack app from the list of programs on your computer. 
3. Finally, right-click on Slack and choose Uninstall. 

---

If you are using a macOS device, see the steps below to uninstall Slack: 

1. First, to the Finder on your Mac computer. 
2. Next, locate the Slack app from the list. 
3. Lastly, drag the Slack app to the Trash to delete it from your Mac. 

---

On iOS and Android devices, you can remove Slack by doing the following: 

1. Find the Slack app from your main screen. 
2. After that, press and hold its app icon until you see the selection menu. 
3. Lastly, tap on Remove App or Uninstall to delete Slack. 

After removing Slack from your device, go to their official website to reinstall the app. For mobile users, visit the Play Store or App Store and reinstall Slack from there. 

10. Report the Problem to Slack. 

At this point, you’ve done everything you can to address the issue on your end. If you still cannot send images on Slack, we recommend contacting their team. 

Visit Slack’s Help Center and contact their customer support to report the issue with their application. While waiting for a response, you can also browse the other guides there and see if you can find any solutions. 

This wraps up our guide on what to do if you cannot send images on Slack. For your questions and other concerns, please leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂