Encountering an error when trying to open a WebP file can be frustrating, but the cause is usually straightforward. Understanding the common reasons behind these issues is the first step toward a quick solution.
| Reason | Description | Common Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Outdated Operating System | Your OS lacks native WebP support. | Using Windows 7/8 or older macOS versions. |
| Outdated Software | Your image viewer or editor doesn't support WebP. | Using an old version of Photoshop or a basic image viewer. |
| Incorrect File Association | WebP files are set to open with an incompatible program. | Double-clicking a WebP file opens an error in MS Paint. |
| Corrupted File | The WebP file itself is damaged or incomplete. | An image downloaded with a network interruption. |
| Browser Extension Conflict | A browser extension is interfering with how WebP files are handled. | Images appear broken only in a specific browser. |
Before diving into platform-specific solutions, here are some universal first steps that can resolve the issue quickly, regardless of your device.
Modern web browsers have excellent native support for WebP. This is often the quickest and easiest way to view a WebP file.
If you need to do more than just view the file, an online converter can be a lifesaver. These tools work on any device with a browser and an internet connection.
This usually happens on older Windows versions or when file associations are incorrect.
Windows 10 (version 1809+) and Windows 11 have native support for WebP. Ensure your system is up to date.
If you're on Windows 7 or 8, you can install a codec to add system-wide WebP support. Google previously offered a WebP Codec for Windows, which can still be found on third-party sites. Proceed with caution and download from reputable sources only.
This is common on macOS versions older than Big Sur.
Native WebP support was introduced in macOS Big Sur (11.0). Updating your system is the best long-term solution.
As with the universal fix, simply dragging the WebP file into a Safari window is a quick way to view it. Safari has supported WebP since version 14.
Many free and paid applications on the Mac App Store offer robust WebP support.
Ensure your device is running iOS 14 or later. If you're on an older version, you'll need to use an app or online tool. For modern iOS versions, saving the image to Photos or opening it in Safari should work. If not, a third-party app like 'WebP Viewer' from the App Store can help.
Android has had native WebP support for a long time (since version 4.0). If you're having trouble, the issue is likely with a specific app.
A corrupted cache can sometimes cause rendering issues. Clear your browser's cache and cookies to see if that resolves the problem.
Some extensions, particularly ad-blockers or privacy-focused ones, can interfere with how images are loaded. Try disabling your extensions one by one to identify the culprit.
Ensure you are running the latest version of your web browser to get the best compatibility and security updates.
Photoshop has native WebP support since version 23.2 (February 2022). If you're on an older version, you'll need a plugin. For detailed steps, see our dedicated guide on fixing WebP in Photoshop.
GIMP has had native WebP support for several years. If you're having issues, ensure you're using a recent version of GIMP (2.10 or newer).
Check the software's documentation or support forums to confirm if it supports the WebP format. If not, you'll need to convert the file first.
This strongly suggests the file itself is corrupted or incomplete.
WebP was created by Google to make the web faster. It offers significantly smaller file sizes than JPG and PNG at comparable quality, which reduces page load times and saves bandwidth. The opening issues are temporary problems of adoption that are fading as software gets updated.
Some browser extensions claim to do this, but they can be unreliable and slow down your browsing. A better approach is to use a dedicated online tool or a desktop application for batch conversion when you need it.
Yes, there will be some quality loss. Both WebP and JPG are lossy formats. Converting from one to the other involves decompressing and recompressing, which can introduce minor artifacts. However, at high-quality settings, this loss is usually imperceptible.
While technically possible for any file type, it is extremely rare for image files like WebP to contain malware. The risk is very low, especially if you are using updated software and a modern OS.
The easiest fix is to convert your file to a universally compatible format. Use our free tools: