ChatGPT gives an error and does not generate images: causes and solutions

¿ChatGPT is giving an error and not generating images? Do you have ChatGPT Plus or Pro, and when you request an image, it tells you it can't generate images directly, while the free account allows it (albeit with limitations)? You're not alone: ​​many users are encountering this strange behavior, both on the web and in the mobile app, with error messages, images that "get stuck loading," or responses that only return text instead of the promised visual result.

In this article we will break down, step by step, why ChatGPT sometimes gives an error and does not generate imagesYou'll learn what's really happening behind the scenes, the differences between models and account plans, and, most importantly, practical solutions to get back to creating images normally. You'll also find tips to prevent these errors from happening again and alternatives for when the image generator is down or limited.

Why does ChatGPT give an error when generating images?

When ChatGPT doesn't generate the image you request, there's almost always a technical or usage explanation.The image may have been created but not displayed, your account may be overloaded, you may be using the wrong model, or your prompt may conflict with OpenAI's content policies. Understanding these scenarios is key to fixing the problem.

One of the most common errors is that ChatGPT tells you something like "Here's your image" but nothing appears on the screenOr the message might get stuck with the typical loading icon, especially on mobile. In these cases, the problem is usually not with the image generation, but with the display: the model has created the file in its temporary systems, but the client (browser or app) fails to display it.

Another much-discussed situation is the message "I cannot generate images directly" Despite having a paid subscription and theoretically using a model capable of creating images, some users are experiencing this issue only in new chats. However, if they return to older conversations and request an image there, it generates without problems.

Nor should we forget generic errors such as "It appears there was another error while trying to generate the image you requested"This message often appears repeatedly throughout the day, both in the browser and the app, and in many cases, simply switching devices doesn't resolve the issue. Server overload, temporary service outages, or internal OpenAI problems are usually the cause.

In parallel, there are limitations linked to the plan and the selected modelMore advanced image generation is usually associated with models like GPT-4o or other variants internally connected to DALL·E. If you're in free mode, using an older model, or have selected a text-only model (such as certain "o3 mini" variants or others focused on reasoning), ChatGPT itself may simply describe images or tell you that it cannot create them directly.

Main causes: technical, account and usage

Image generation failures in ChatGPT can be easily grouped into three main categories.Technical system issues, account or plan restrictions, and user errors (prompts, incorrect model, network, etc.) are all possible causes. It's advisable to review each of these individually to pinpoint the source of your specific problem.

On the technical side, server overload is one of the typical causes.During periods of high traffic, maintenance, or internal updates, OpenAI may limit or temporarily disable image generation. At these times, it's common to experience repeated errors, long wait times, or generic failure messages during image creation.

Network problems, blockers, or proxies also play a role.If you're browsing behind a VPN, a corporate proxy, a strict firewall, or browser extensions that block scripts and images, the model might be generating the image without your device actually downloading or displaying it. From the user's perspective, it feels like "nothing is being generated," even though the file actually exists on the servers.

Another important factor is OpenAI's content policiesChatGPT and its image tools automatically block requests that include extreme violence, nudity, explicit sexual content, hateful self-promotion, misuse of copyrighted characters or brands, or overly realistic photographs of real people (among other restrictions). In these cases, the system may refuse to create the image or return only a text explanation.

At the account level, the subscription type makes all the difference.The most powerful image generation features are typically available to Plus, Pro, Team, or Enterprise users, while free accounts may have limited access, stricter usage limits, or alternative models like DALL·E in separate interfaces. Additionally, daily or time-based limits are often applied to the number of images you can generate, especially on the free plan.

You also need to consider the "saturation" of your own accountSome users have noticed that when they accumulate hundreds of chats and a huge library of saved images, the interface starts to slow down and more glitches appear when displaying visual results. Although some processing is done in the cloud, the data loading and local handling on the device eventually take their toll, especially on less powerful phones.

Finally, many issues simply stem from usage or configuration errors.Selecting a model that does not support images, writing overly vague prompts (“do something cool”), requesting unsupported formats (GIFs, video, interactive 3D), or mixing text and image instructions without making it clear that you want a visual file can lead to text-only responses or generation failures.

What to do when ChatGPT doesn't display the image but says it created it

One of the most frustrating problems is when ChatGPT claims it has already generated your imageBut you see absolutely nothing on the screen, just a message in progress or a blank space. The good news is that, in many cases, the image was actually created and can be recovered with a simple trick.

First, try the basics: reload the page or restart the appOften, simply refreshing the browser, closing and reopening the tab, or force-closing and reopening the app on your mobile device will cause the interface to reload the pending resources and display the image. This is the quick and easy solution that should always be tried first.

If after recharging the message of infinite charge or the empty slot continues to appearYou can take advantage of the fact that the conversation is still active even though it appears "locked." In other words, even though ChatGPT shows it as still generating the image, you can write a new message in that same chat and it will be processed without any problem.

At this point, the most effective trick is to directly ask ChatGPT to give you the image download link.Write something like, "Give me the download link for the image," in the same conversation. If the image exists in their temporary files, the model should reply with a direct download link.

Clicking that link will open the image in your browser or download it instantly.Depending on whether you're on a computer or mobile device and your system configuration, this completely bypasses the display issue in the ChatGPT interface, taking advantage of the fact that the file is already generated and stored in the backend.

This method is especially useful when the failure is purely a rendering issue on the client side.And it has been proven to work even in situations where many people report that the images "don't appear" but the text of the response does. It doesn't guarantee to fix all errors, but it is one of the most practical immediate solutions.

How to "clean" your account to reduce errors when generating images

If you notice that errors with images are constantly recurring in your accountEspecially in the mobile version, and because ChatGPT takes a long time to load conversations or display the library, your account may be quite full of chats and stored images.

One preventative measure that has helped some users is to minimize the accumulated history.This means deleting old conversations you no longer need and emptying your saved image library. The less content the interface has to handle, the lighter the load will be both in the cloud and on your device.

To do this, go to your account settings and enter the Data Controls section (or similar).From there, you'll usually find options to delete your chat history and, if applicable, any associated files (including generated images). Before deleting anything, be sure to back up anything you want to keep.

By deleting the entire chat history and image collectionThis doesn't erase any custom memory ChatGPT may have enabled for your preferences or basic data; it only clears the "height" of past activity. This can improve the interface's responsiveness and, consequently, reduce the likelihood of errors when displaying new visual results.

It cannot be guaranteed 100% that this cleaning will completely prevent future failures.Because there are many factors involved (servers, network, updates…), but it is a relatively simple action that in many cases has had positive effects, especially in accounts with a lot of accumulated history.

Choosing the right model and plan for generating images

Another classic reason why ChatGPT says it can't generate images is that you're not using the correct model.Although from the outside it may seem that "everything is ChatGPT", inside there are different model variants with different capabilities, and not all of them have the image creation function activated.

If you're on a paid plan (Plus, Pro, Team, etc.), make sure to explicitly select a model that supports images.such as GPT-4o or other equivalent versions indicated by the interface itself. A model selector usually appears at the top of the chat; if you have several GPT-4o options, try the one that specifies image compatibility or the most recent version.

If in doubt, a practical option is to create a new chat and choose the available advanced model.Sometimes, in older chats, the settings are stuck on a previous version or a mode without images, while in newer chats the correct model is assigned. This would explain why some users can only generate images in certain older conversations and not in newly created ones.

If you use the free version, the built-in image function may not be available or may be very limited.In that scenario, you'll likely be offered alternatives such as using DALL·E directly from another section or through external integrations. Keep in mind that the free tier typically allows a much lower number of images per day, and that after reaching your limit, you may encounter error messages or be prevented from generating more.

Also check that you are not in a text-only or reasoning-oriented mode., such as certain lightweight models (“mini”, “o3”, etc.) that are designed for speed or specific tasks without the ability to produce image files. If your goal is to create illustrations, photomontages, or similar, always choose the model variant that explicitly mentions image generation.

Write correct prompts and avoid blocked content

The way you phrase your request also greatly influences whether or not ChatGPT produces an image.A confusing prompt can cause the model to respond only with text; one that directly clashes with content policies will cause an outright rejection of generating any image.

So that the system clearly understands that you want a visual resultInclude explicit words in the message such as "image," "illustration," "drawing," "photo," or "visual." Instead of simply writing "a cat on the beach," it's better to write "Create an image of a cat on the beach, in a detailed digital drawing style." This leaves little doubt that the final goal is a graphic file.

Avoid overly vague or generic promptsInstructions like “do something cool” or “draw something” are ineffective because the model can interpret them in multiple ways and, in some cases, only provide a written explanation or ideas. The more precise your description (scene, style, shot, colors, atmosphere), the easier it will be to generate a coherent and error-free image.

Also check that your request does not include elements that conflict with OpenAI's security policiesRequests containing graphic violence, nudity, sexual content, hate speech, copyrighted trademarks, or hyperrealistic depictions of real people are usually blocked. If you receive a rejection from the system, try rephrasing the scene in a more neutral and safe way.

If ChatGPT does not generate the image but does describe what it "could" doIf you receive a message reminding you of content limits, it's a clear indication that the block is due to the type of prompt, not a technical issue. In these cases, you'll need to adjust the message until it fits within the allowed parameters.

Quick solutions when nothing else seems to work

There are times when, no matter how much you adjust the prompt, model, and account, the images simply don't appear.In other words, you've made several attempts at different times of the day, from the app and from the browser, and you always end up with the same error message or with the image never showing up.

When this happens, the first step is to check the OpenAI service statusYou can visit the official status page (status.openai.com) to see if there are any open issues related to ChatGPT or the image generation tools. If there is a partial or total outage, the best course of action is to wait for the company to resolve it.

It's also helpful to check out forums and user communities.You can check forums like OpenAI or social media platforms such as Reddit, where people often comment in real time if image generation is experiencing widespread issues. If you see many similar reports, it's probably not a problem specific to your account or device.

Another action that can make a difference is to try a different network connection.Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa), disable your VPN if you're using one, and if possible, temporarily disable any ad-blocking or script-blocking browser extensions. Sometimes the problem isn't with ChatGPT itself, but with the image's path to your device.

If you are in a corporate environment with very aggressive filtersIt's possible that certain image or OpenAI script download domains are blocked without your knowledge. In that case, testing from a home or personal network usually clears things up quickly.

When is it worth upgrading your plan or looking for alternatives?

If you frequently use image generation for creative work, design, marketing, or prototypingRelying solely on free or very limited access may fall short. Service interruptions, daily usage caps, and model restrictions are especially noticeable when you need consistent productivity.

In these cases, considering a paid subscription (Plus, Pro, Team, etc.) is a reasonable option., as it usually offers priority access to models such as GPT-4or with images, more daily usability and, in general, less friction in the experience. That doesn't eliminate bugs 100%, but it does reduce the impact of the stricter limits of the free tier.

Even with a paid account, there may be times when the image generator fails.Therefore, it's wise to have alternatives up your sleeve. Tools like Bing Image Creator, Craiyon, or the AI ​​features built into platforms like Canva allow you to create images from text and can serve as a "plan B" when ChatGPT isn't responding as it should.

Another option is to rely on services specializing in AI-generated image detection If your concern is more about verifying whether an image is real or synthetic, there are AI-based detectors that analyze artifacts, pixel patterns, and other signals typical of models like DALL·E, Midjourney, or Stable Diffusion, useful for identifying deepfakes, altered advertisements, or suspicious photos.

Combining ChatGPT with these alternatives gives you more flexibility.When the built-in generator fails, you switch to another tool; when you need context, complex prompt writing, or creative ideas, you go back to ChatGPT and then pass those instructions to the graphical tool that works best at the time.

When it comes down to it, the fact that ChatGPT gives an error and doesn't generate images doesn't mean you're left without creative options.Understanding why it fails (wrong model, account limits, network problems, content policies, or occasional outages), applying tricks like requesting the direct download link, clearing your history, and having alternative platforms allows you to continue working with AI-generated images quite reliably, even when the main tool becomes unreliable.

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ChatGPT Atlas: OpenAI's browser that combines chat, search, and automated tasks

Cristian Garcia

Passionate about technology since he was little. I love being up to date in the sector and, above all, communicating it. That is why I have been dedicated to communication on technology and video game websites for many years. You can find me writing about Android, Windows, MacOS, iOS, Nintendo or any other related topic that comes to mind.