Can't insert picture from device

Question

Can't insert picture from device

Reuben Dunn 0

I am no longer able to add JPG to any of my files-old or new.

Tutorials online, including Mircosoft fourms say that I need to uncheck the "Show picture placeholders" in the Advanced portion of Word. The problem is that there IS no "Show picture placeholders" on the screen.

This has severely impacted my work production and I need to know if there is a workaround for this.

Thanks

Reuben

Moderator note: Title changed from "Picture Placeholders" by moderator.

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Stefan Blom 342.4K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Please clarify exactly what happens. Do you see an error when trying to add a picture, or is the problem that the picture won't show up in the document?

Reuben Dunn 0 Reputation points

2026-04-02T12:41:34.6133333+00:00

I have a file open. I use the insert-pictures-this device, click on the one I need, and hit "Insert." The tab closes, and I'm back on the page- no picture, no outline of the box. Just the cursor.
Charles Kenyon 167.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-02T15:35:31.6166667+00:00
This is a bug. I think it was fixed.

Make sure you have the latest update. For current channel, that is 2603.

If it is still there, here are some workarounds:

Find the image from within Windows. Copy it in Windows. Paste in your document. Or...

Use the Picture Picker Content Control under the Developer tab.
Reuben Dunn 0 Reputation points

2026-04-05T20:38:55.58+00:00

How do I find that channel?

Isn't there an easier way to fix this glitch, that four weeks ago didn't exist?

Thanks.
Stefan Blom 342.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-05T22:51:30.81+00:00

How do I find that channel?

Since you are in a business, you may not be able to change the update channel yourself. Only the local Office admin can do that.

The currently selected channel should display at File > Account, next to the version number and build.
Charles Kenyon 167.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-05T23:09:11.37+00:00

@Reuben Dunn

Current Channel is which timing you have for your updates. Many organizations get updates semiannually. Some people are on Insider, mistakenly thinking it will give them some advantage.

Look under File > Account > About Word - you will be told your latest release number.

If you check on What's New? you should be told which channel you are on.

Did you try the workarounds I suggest?

If you are using version 2603 or later and still have this problem when Word is in safe mode, you should write back with more details. Here is an article about how to write that question and the information to include. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5677122/(article)-how-to-ask-a-question-in-the-q-a-forums If not in the USA, give region and language information as well.

This is about starting Word in safe mode: https://support.office.com/article/dedf944a-5f4b-4afb-a453-528af4f7ac72 That will get you more assistance from your fellow users but will not tell Microsoft about it.

I believe Microsoft thinks this is fixed.

This is a user-to-user support forum.

Microsoft is not hearing about your problems from what you post here. You are discussing a problem with your fellow users here. We can give good advice about how to work with Word as it is and give suggestions for making it work properly.

Designers and their supervisors do see feedback. (You will almost certainly not get a direct response to that feedback but they do see it.)

Here is more about that:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/giving-feedback-on-microsoft-word-or-other/8df81a9b-84aa-46ef-bf88-24fb7fec96ba

I suggest using the public feedback portal so other users can see your feedback, comment and vote. If you want, you can post the URL of your feedback with your question here to lead others with the same problem to your feedback. Be the “squeaky wheel” that gets fixed!
Reuben Dunn 0 Reputation points

2026-04-06T12:46:16.1+00:00

I am not a business- I am the "Admin"
Charles Kenyon 167.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-06T16:43:18.8766667+00:00
@Reuben Dunn

I am not a business- I am the "Admin"

This is a bug. I think it was fixed.

Make sure you have the latest update. For current channel, that is 2603.

If it is still there, here are some workarounds:

Find the image from within Windows. Copy it in Windows. Paste in your document. Or...

Use the Picture Picker Content Control under the Developer tab.

Did you try the workarounds I suggest?

If you are using version 2603 or later and still have this problem when Word is in safe mode, you should write back with more details. Here is an article about how to write that question and the information to include. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5677122/(article)-how-to-ask-a-question-in-the-q-a-forums If not in the USA, give region and language information as well.

Did you try safe mode? https://support.office.com/article/dedf944a-5f4b-4afb-a453-528af4f7ac72
Stefan Blom 342.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-06T16:49:58.4233333+00:00

I am not a business- I am the "Admin"

So do you have a 365 Personal or 365 Family subscription rather than a business subscription? You should still see the "channel" next to the About Word button at File > Account. For an example, have a look at the screen shot below.

Installing the most recent updates would change the version number to 2603, as Charles already suggested.
Suzanne S Barnhill 278.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-07T01:20:17.5733333+00:00

I am not a business- I am the "Admin"

You posted with the Business tag.

Answer 2

Dear @Reuben Dunn,
Thank you for the clarification. I understand that you’re no longer able to add JPG images to any Word documents, including both existing files and new ones. I can see how disruptive this is, especially when it affects all of your work.

When this behavior occurs across all documents, it usually indicates a Word‑level behavior rather than an issue with a specific file or with the JPG images themselves. In most cases, Word is still capable of working with images, but something is preventing them from appearing as expected, which makes it seem as though images cannot be added at all.

Have you had a chance to check the suggestion provided by our Q&A Assistant above? If the issue persists, please let us know which suggestions you tried and what happened.

To help narrow this down, please try the following simple checks:

Open a brand‑new blank Word document and try inserting a JPG.

Save the document, close Word completely, then reopen it and check whether the image appears.

If the image appears in a new document but not older ones, the issue may be related to document formatting.

If the image does not appear in any document, please make sure Word is fully up to date, restart Word, and test again.

These steps help determine whether the issue is document‑specific or affecting Word overall.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

I truly appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have any further questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your cooperation.

AlexDN 11,430 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-02T01:31:42.82+00:00

Dear @Reuben Dunn,
If you still have further concerns, please feel free to let me know.

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Can't insert picture from device

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