Why You Get the “Unsupported Image Format” Error (And How to Fix It)

“Help please. I have to insert an image into my Google Doc but it keeps saying unsupported image type even though I tried PNG, JPEG, PDF, SVG, and others. How can I fix this?” - Reddit user

Seeing an “Unsupported Image Type” error can be annoying, especially when you just want to upload or add a picture. You might get an unsupported image type Google Docs message or an unsupported image format warning on other apps. But don’t worry. This problem is common and easy to fix. This guide will discuss the simple ways to fix these errors and make your images insert smoothly.

Part 1. What Does “Unsupported Image Type” Mean?

The “Unsupported Image Type” or “Unsupported Image Format” error means the app you’re using can’t open or show your image. This usually happens because the image file is in a format the app doesn’t recognize or support.

For example, apps like Google Docs only support common image formats like JPG, PNG, or GIF. If you upload an image in a format like TIFF, BMP, or WEBP, you might see the unsupported image type Google Docs message. These formats aren’t always compatible with every platform.

In short, some images don’t open because:

• The app doesn’t support the file type.
• The image might be too large or have special settings (like layers or transparency) that the app can’t handle.

But don’t worry. You can easily fix this by converting your image to a supported format. We’ll show you how in the next section.

Part 2. Fix “Unsupported Image Type” in Google Docs in 3 Ways

Are Google Docs not accepting your image format? Here are 3 effective ways to fix the “Unsupported Image Type” error and upload your picture smoothly.

Way 1. Convert The Image To Google Docs' Supported Format (JPEG, PNG, GIF)

One simple way to fix the “Unsupported Image Type” error in Google Docs is to change your image to a format it supports. Google Docs works with formats that balance image quality, file size, and special features like transparency. It supports JPEG/JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and SVG.

If your image isn’t in one of these formats, Google Docs might show the “Unsupported Image Type” error. In that case, you’ll need to convert your image to a supported format to fix the problem. The good news? You can do this easily with free online converters in just a few clicks.

A great tool you can use is CloudConvert. It’s an easy-to-use online converter that supports over 200 file formats, including images, videos, documents, and more. You don’t need to download anything. Just upload your image, choose a supported format like JPEG, PNG, or GIF, and convert it in a few clicks.

What makes CloudConvert even better:

• Your files stay private. CloudConvert is ISO 27001 certified and doesn’t sell your data.
• It offers top-notch conversions and lets you adjust settings like image quality if needed.
• Trusted by users since 2012, it’s perfect for both quick fixes and advanced needs.

Follow these steps for simple image format changes.

Step 1: Visit the CloudConvert site. This time, we got the TIFF image format, and we want it to convert to a Google Docs-supported format, which is JPG. Click Select File. Upload the image you will convert from your device, Google Drive, Dropbox, or by URL.

Step 2: In the format options, select a supported format like JPG, JPEG, PNG, or GIF.

Step 3: Click Convert. Wait a few seconds while CloudConvert processes your image.

Step 4: Once done, click Download to keep the new image and upload it to Google Docs without any errors.

Way 2. Compress The Image File’s Size

Another easy way to fix the “Unsupported Image Type” error in Google Docs is by making your image file smaller. Even if your image is in the right format, it might not upload if the file is too big.

Large image files can slow down Google Docs or cause errors. By compressing the image, you help Google Docs load it faster and avoid issues. Plus, smaller images keep your document lighter and easier to open.

A great tool to quickly compress your images is iLoveIMG. It’s a free online tool that quickly reduces image file sizes without losing quality. You don’t need to download any software. Just upload your image and compress it in a few clicks.

Here’s why iLoveIMG is a good choice:

• Works with JPG, PNG, and GIF images.
• Compress multiple image formats at once to save time.
• Quick process with a clean, easy-to-understand interface.
• Your images are kept private and automatically deleted after processing.
• Offers resizing, cropping, and format conversion features if needed.

See the steps below for proper image compression:

Step 1: Visit the iLoveIMG site.

Step 2: Click Select Images. Upload your image from your device, Google Drive, or Dropbox. If you want to compress multiple images, you can upload them all at once.

Step 3: Click Compress Images. iLoveIMG will automatically compress the file size while keeping the quality.

Step 4: Your image has been compressed now. Click Download compressed IMAGES to keep it. Below you can see how much your image file size became compressed. Also, at the side, you can save it to Google Drive DropBox, share the link or delete the image right away.

Way 3. Reboot Your System

Sometimes, the easiest fix for the “Unsupported Image Type” error in Google Docs is simply restarting your computer or device. Temporary glitches, memory issues, or software bugs can cause Google Docs to behave oddly and not load images correctly.

A quick reboot clears out these small problems, refreshes your system, and often solves the error. It’s a fast, no-fuss solution that’s always worth trying before more complicated steps.

How to reboot your system:

Step 1: Make sure to save any open files or documents to avoid losing changes.

Step 2: Shut down all running apps, including your browser and Google Docs.

Step 3: Restart your device.

• On Windows: Click the Start Menu, select Power, then click Restart.

• On Mac: Find the Apple Menu and select Restart.

Step 4: Let your device fully restart before opening any apps.

Step 5: Try uploading or inserting your image once your system is back on. The issue might be gone.

Part 3. The Best Way to Repair Unsupported Image Type Error

Sometimes, the “Unsupported Image Type” error isn’t just about file formats or size. It happens because the image file is corrupted. But why does corruption occur?

It usually happens when:

• You suddenly lose the internet while downloading an image.
• Your device shuts down while saving or transferring photos.
• A virus or faulty storage device damages the image data.

So, even if you fix the format or size, a broken image file won’t upload or display properly. Maybe you’re wondering if there’s a solution for this. Fortunately, yes. The best fix is to use a reliable tool like Repairit Photo Repair. Repairit quickly fixes damaged or corrupted image file formats in just a few clicks.

Here’s why Repairit stands out:

• Fix corrupted JPEG, PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, HEIC, and RAW files (like CR3, CR2, NEF, DNG, ARW, RAF, etc.) easily.
• Uses advanced AI technology to repair corrupted images automatically with just one click. No tech skills are needed.
• Upscale blurry or low-resolution images by up to 800% for sharper, clearer images.
• Repairs greyed-out, pixelated, blurry, unopenable, and color-faded images.
• Fix multiple corrupted images at once to save time and effort.
• Available for both desktop (Mac & Windows) and online use.
• Keep your images private and secure with no data leaks.
• Removes scratches, enhances colors, sharpens blurry spots, and reconstructs damaged areas.

You can fix your damaged or corrupted images in just three simple steps:

Step 1: Open Repairit Photo Repair. Go to More Types Repair in the sidebar and choose Photo Repair.

Click Add to upload the corrupted images you want to fix.

Step 2: Once uploaded, Repair it shows the image thumbnails and details like size and resolution. Click Repair to start the process.

After the image repair finishes, hit Preview to check the results.

Step 3: Once satisfied, click Save to export individual images. Or, click Save All to save multiple repaired images at once.

Conclusion

Getting an “Unsupported Image Type” or “Unsupported Image Format” error can be annoying, but it’s easy to fix. You can solve it by converting the image to a supported format, compressing the file size, restarting your device, or repairing the image with a tool like Repairit Photo Repair. With these quick fixes, your images will upload smoothly to Google Docs and other apps.