If you recently sent an email and noticed that images are not loading for some of your recipients, this is a common occurrence. It can typically be traced back to standard security or network settings on the recipient's end.
Here is how to figure out what the issue is and how to troubleshoot it:
1. Email Client Security Settings (Most Common) It is a standard security and privacy feature in most email programs to block images by default, particularly from new senders.
The Fix: The images will remain blocked until the user manually allows them. The recipient simply needs to click a prompt in their email client, such as "Allow images" or "Trust this sender." Once this is clicked, the images will display normally.
2. Internal Network Blocking (Less Common) If the recipient has allowed images but they are still broken, the display issue might be caused by internal network blocking. Aggressive security software, strict firewalls, or VPN settings within an office environment can sometimes prevent images from downloading.
How to Troubleshoot: A great way to rule out an internal network block versus a general display issue is to load the image from an external or public network. Have the recipient open the email on a mobile phone using a cellular data network (ensuring they are completely disconnected from the office Wi-Fi).
The Fix: If the image shows up properly on the cellular network but remains broken on the office network, the recipient should reach out to their IT team to whitelist the domain or adjust the firewall settings.