To fix images not loading on X, formerly Twitter, reload the page or reopen the app, try another connection, then update X and clear its cache if needed. Compare the same post in another browser or on another computer before resetting anything. If only sensitive posts are affected, check their access restrictions instead.
The short version
- Start small: Reload X or close and reopen the app, then retry the affected post.
- Compare connections: Try another Wi-Fi network and temporarily disconnect an active VPN.
- Clear cached content: Use the cache controls for your app or browser before clearing broader app data.
- Check restricted media: Sensitive-content and age restrictions require account checks.
- Reinstall last: Save local drafts and make sure you can sign back in before removing X.
| Fix | When to try it |
|---|---|
| Reload the page | Images stop loading in desktop Chrome |
| Reopen or force-stop X | The iPhone app is unresponsive or the Pixel app needs restarting |
| Compare browsers or computers | You need to narrow down the cause |
| Switch Wi-Fi networks | The failure may follow your connection |
| Disconnect an active VPN | X fails while the VPN is connected |
| Restart the router and modem | Multiple devices have connection trouble |
| Restore mobile data access | X works on Wi-Fi but cannot connect over cellular |
| Update X and device software | The app problem persists |
| Restart your phone | Reopening X does not help |
| Clear the app media cache | The X app remains affected |
| Clear X web storage on iOS | Web content opened inside X fails |
| Adjust X image quality on iOS | Images load at low quality |
| Try a private browser session | You need to compare browser sessions |
| Clear browser cache and cookies | One browser remains affected |
| Review image and JavaScript permissions | The browser blocks needed content |
| Disable suspected browser extensions | An extension may interfere with X |
| Review sensitive-media preferences | Only sensitive posts are hidden |
| Correct missing birth date information | An adult account lacks accurate age information |
| Sign out and back in | Simpler iOS app fixes fail |
| Clear Android app storage | Clearing the Pixel app cache fails |
| Reinstall X | Other app fixes fail |
| Check custom Android Private DNS | You use a custom filtering DNS provider |
| Reset network settings | iPhone or iPad connection problems persist |
Reload the post or reopen X
On x.com in desktop Chrome, press Ctrl + R on Windows or Linux. If the images remain blank, bypass cached content with Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows or Linux, or Command + Shift + R on Mac.
For an unresponsive X app on an iPhone without a Home button, swipe up from the bottom and pause, find X, then swipe its preview upward. On an iPhone with a Home button, double-click Home, find X, then swipe its preview upward. Reopen X and check the post again.
On a Pixel, open Settings > Apps > See all apps > X > Force stop, then tap OK. Reopen X afterward. The Android app and mobile data steps below use Pixel menus; other manufacturers can use different paths.
Fix connection problems
Open the affected x.com page in another desktop browser or on another computer. If images fail across devices, X may be experiencing website problems, and clearing a local cache may not help. Try another Wi-Fi connection to see whether the failure follows your network.
Temporarily disconnect an active VPN through its own controls, then retry X. If images load with the VPN disconnected, contact the VPN provider. For broader home-network trouble, unplug the router and modem, reconnect their power, and test another device. Contact your internet provider if multiple devices cannot get online.
When X works on Wi-Fi but cannot connect over cellular on an iPhone, open Settings > Cellular and turn on Cellular Data. In the app list, turn on X, tapping Show All if necessary. An app with cellular access turned off can connect only through Wi-Fi.
On a Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and turn on Mobile data. If a configured device limit stopped your data, check your plan allowance first, then open Data warning & limit and turn off Set data limit.
Update X and restart your phone
On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, then open App Updates and install an available X update. If X has no update and the problem persists, Apple recommends updating the device software.
For a Google Play installation, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, and select Manage apps & devices. Find X under Updates available and install its update. On a Pixel, you can also open Settings > System > Software update and follow the update flow.
Restart a Face ID iPhone by holding either Volume button together with the Side button until the shutdown slider appears. Drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. On an iPhone SE of the second or third generation, hold only the Side button to display the slider, then follow the same shutdown and startup steps.
On a Pixel 6 or later, including Fold, hold Power and Volume up for a few seconds, then tap Restart. Once the phone restarts, open X and check the affected image before moving on.
Clear the X app cache
In X for iOS, open the profile menu, then select Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage > Media storage. Tap Clear media storage, then tap Clear media storage again. Return to the post and retry the image.
For trouble with web content opened inside the iOS app, return to Data usage and open Web storage. Tap Clear web page storage, then tap Clear web page storage again. For the broader alternative, tap Clear all web storage, then tap Clear all web storage again.
On a Pixel, open Settings > Apps > See all apps > X > Storage & cache > Clear cache. Reopen X and try the post again. Leave broader storage clearing until after this step fails.
If images in X for iOS load but look low quality, return to Data usage and turn off Data saver. Alternatively, keep it enabled, long-press an image or open its more menu, then select Load high quality. X says Data saver lowers image quality; use this adjustment for image quality problems.
Clear browser data when images stay blank
Try the same post in a private browser session before deleting browsing data. In desktop Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Linux, or Command + Shift + N on Mac, then open x.com and sign in. In Edge, open Settings and more > New InPrivate window; in Safari on Mac, press Shift + Command + N.
For desktop Chrome, open More > Delete browsing data and choose All time. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, leave unrelated data unselected, then select Delete data. Sign back into X if needed.
In desktop Edge, open Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browsing data > Choose what to clear. Choose a Time range, select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then select Clear now.
In desktop Firefox, open the menu, then History > Clear recent history…, and set When: to Everything. Select Cookies and site data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.
In Safari on Mac, open Safari > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Select X’s website, click Remove, then Done. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data, then tap Clear History.
Allow browser content and check extensions
If clearing data does not help, review browser permissions. In desktop Chrome with x.com open, select View site information beside the address, then Site settings, and allow any blocked Images or JavaScript permissions before reloading. For Safari on iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced and turn on JavaScript.
In desktop Chrome, open More > Extensions > Manage extensions and disable suspected extensions one at a time, retrying X after each change. On Mac, disable suspected Safari extensions through Safari > Settings > Extensions. Restore extensions that do not affect the problem.
Check sensitive media and age restrictions
When only sensitive posts are hidden, sign in on x.com, including if you normally use an iPhone. Open More > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety, find the sensitive-media preference, and check Display media that may contain sensitive content. This applies to eligible accounts and does not override age restrictions.
If you are an adult and your account lacks an accurate birth date, open your profile, select Edit profile, then open Birth date. Enter your actual Day, Month, and Year, then save the profile. A birth date alone does not override age-assurance requirements, and cache clearing cannot override access restrictions.
Sign in again or reinstall X
Save local drafts and make sure you can complete two-factor authentication before signing out of X for iOS. Open the profile menu, select Settings and privacy, then tap Log out in your account settings. Reopen X and sign in again; X warns that signing out clears local drafts.
On a Pixel, clearing app storage is a later option when clearing the cache fails. Save local drafts, then open Settings > Apps > See all apps > X > Storage & cache and select Clear storage or Clear data, then tap OK. This erases local app data, so reopen X and sign in if required.
For an iPhone or iPad reinstall, save your drafts and sign-in recovery information, then touch and hold X. Tap Remove App, Delete App, then Delete. Reinstall from the official X App Store listing.
On Android, save drafts and sign-in recovery information before opening the Google Play Store. Tap your profile icon, open Manage apps and devices > Manage, select X, then tap Uninstall. Reinstall from the official X Google Play listing.
Reserve network resets for persistent connection problems
If you use a custom filtering DNS provider on Android, switching it to automatic may help you check whether that configuration is involved. Open Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS, select Automatic, then tap Save and retry X. Manufacturer paths vary, and this is a diagnostic check rather than an X-prescribed fix.
For persistent iPhone or iPad connection problems after simpler fixes, consult your administrator first if you use a managed network. Open Settings > General, select Transfer or Reset iPhone or Transfer or Reset iPad, then select Reset > Reset Network Settings. This removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, plus cellular, VPN, and APN settings. Use it only for continuing connection trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Android Data Saver stop images loading while X is open?
Google says actively used apps can already use mobile data while Data Saver is enabled. For background-loading trouble on a Pixel, open Settings > Network and Internet > Data Saver > Unrestricted data and enable X. This addresses background restrictions, so treat it as a check for that specific symptom.
What should you do when X asks you to verify your age?
Follow the live-selfie or government-ID flow X offers for your account and region. If X incorrectly classifies you as under 18, contact X Support through the app or website. Sensitive media may remain unavailable until your age is established.
Can you test Safari without turning off Private Relay everywhere?
Yes, you can make a website-specific check while iCloud+ Private Relay is enabled. On iPhone or iPad, open Safari’s Page Menu and tap Show IP Address; on Mac, choose View > Reload and Show IP Address. This temporarily exposes your IP address to the website.
How do you update the browser when X keeps having problems?
In desktop Chrome on Windows or Mac, open More > Help > About Google Chrome, let the update check finish, and select Relaunch when available. Linux users update Chrome through their package manager, while Chromebook users update ChromeOS. Safari updates come through the device’s supported operating-system updates.