Image is Not Displaying in Outlook Email? – 8 Methods to Fix

  

Rollins Duke   
Published: January 21st, 2026 • 5 Min Read

When Microsoft Outlook is not displaying images in emails, it usually indicates security-driven restrictions rather than a technical failure. Outlook is designed to block external images by default to protect users from malicious activity or phishing attempts. This behavior is incorrect settings or email formatting can prevent loading images even from trusted senders.

Why Are Images Not Displaying in Outlook?

• Outlook blocks images to download to protect users from tracking, phishing and malicious content.
• Outlook treats unknown image sources as untrusted and blocked to download.
• Images blocks to download from unknown sender to make Outlook data file maintained size.
• Images not supported when Outlook is set to read email plain text format.
• System or rendering security settings can prevent Outlook from displaying images.
• Add-ins or security software may block image downloads in Outlook emails.
• Corrupt Outlook profiles or need to clear Outlook cache data can stop images from loading.

How to Fix Outlook Not Displaying Images in Emails?

Method 1. Fix Outlook Images Download from Specific Sender

1. Open Outlook and hit click on file in the top left corner.
   
2. Select Options and hit the trust center.
   
3. Click on Trust Center Settings and Choose Automatic Download.
4. Uncheck Don’t Download Pictures Automatically in HTML email messages to RSS items.
5. Click OK to save changes and relaunch Outlook.

Method 2. Add Trusted Senders to Safe Senders List

1. Go to the Home tab and click on Junk and press on Junk Email options.
2. Select the Safe Senders tab and hit on Add and fill the email address or domain of trusted senders.
3. Click on OK to save changes and restart Outlook to check.

Method 3. Change Email Formats from Plain Text to HTML

1. Click on file and press Options then select Mail.
   
2. Under Compose Messages and set the format to HTML.
3. Ensure Read All Standard mail in plan text is unchecked.
4. Save the settings and relaunch Outlook.

Method 4. Adjust Internet and Privacy Security Settings

1. Open Control Panel and enter Internet Options.
   
2. Go to the Security tab and select Internet.
3. Click Custom level and enable Automatic Image Download.
4. Apply changes and relaunch Outlook.

Method 5. Disable Conflicting Outlook Add-ins

1. Click on file and hit on Options.
   
2. Select Add-ins and choose COM Add-ins and select GO.
   
3. Uncheck all non-essential add-ins.
   
4. Click on OK and restart Outlook.
   
5. Re-enable add-ins one by one to identify faulty add-ins.

Method 6. Temporary Test Antivirus or Firewall Restrictions

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall.
2. Configure your Outlook security and try to download Outlook images.

Method 7. Clear Outlook Cache

1. Close Outlook completely.
2. Clear Outlook RoamCache files and restart Outlook to check.

Outlook Shows Red X Instead Picture

When Outlook displays Red X at the location of images, it means the email client is unable to load images. This issue is a common issue due to security restrictions blocking external images. Red X Icon appears when Outlook blocks external images to download for security reasons, cannot access the image source and due to incorrect email settings, or strict policy or corrupted profile. To fix Red X Sign instead of Image issue permanently, enable image download from trusted sender, Check on all emails downloaded in HTML format, adjust Outlook security settings, clear cached data or repair Outlook profile if needed.

How to Prevent Outlook from Blocking Images in the Future?

• Add known and reliable email structure or domains to Outlook safe senders list to allow images automatically.
• Regularly updating Outlook and Windows operating systems ensure image-related bugs and security issues are fixed.
• Use HTML email format so Outlook can display images and visual content correctly.

Conclusion

If you are facing issues related to Outlook Not Displaying Images in Emails then we have discussed reasons and methods to fix this error. It can happen due to connectivity, trust center or many more issues. We have discussed all information that users must be interested to know and also mention all trusted and tested so you can easily fix this issue by yourself. If manual approach will not work then possibility of Outlook file corruption and due to this Outlook shows you partial data so you can use alternative methods to make a healthy Outlook PST file and easily access all images in Outlook email.