Have you ever experienced the frustration of eagerly trying to share a cherished moment with a friend on Viber, only to be met with the dreaded “This photo is not available” error message? In this article, I’ll guide you through the most effective methods to troubleshoot the ‘This photo is not available’ error in Viber.

1. Check your network connection

A stable internet connection is essential for Viber to function seamlessly. If you encounter the ‘This photo is not available’ error, the first step is to verify your network connection. Ensure that you have a strong Wi-Fi signal or a reliable cellular data connection.

Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data or restarting your router to see if it resolves the issue. If you’re in an area with poor coverage, the photo may not be able to load. You can check your network speed on Fast.com.

2. Ensure that the sender has not deleted the photo

If you see a ‘This photo is not available’ message in Viber, then it could mean the person who sent it has deleted the photo from their end. If that’s the case, then there’s no way for Viber to show you the picture anymore. In this scenario, the best thing to do is ask the sender if they deleted it, and if so, ask them to send it again.

Also read: How to share Instagram reels to WhatsApp status. 

3. Allow the necessary app permissions

Another reason you might see the ‘This photo is not available’ error on Viber is that the app doesn’t have permission to access your device’s photos. You need to allow Viber to access your photos and storage to fix this. Just follow the steps below, depending on the device you’re running:

Android

1. Press and hold the Viber app and tap App Info from the available options.

2. Head to the App permissions section and select Photos and videos.

3. Lastly, choose Allow from the available options.

iPhone

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Viber.

2. Select Photos and choose the option that says Full Access.

4. Disable battery saver

If the previous steps haven’t solved the issue, try disabling battery-saver mode. While it helps conserve power, it might restrict background activity for apps like Viber. Disabling it can ensure Viber has the resources it needs to function normally and download or display photos.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Locate the battery saver icon (represented by a battery with a plus icon).

3. Ensure that the battery saver icon is grayed.

5. Free up storage space

Viber may struggle to download and display photos if your device’s internal storage is full. One quick fix is to check the available storage in your phone’s settings and remove unused apps, videos, or other large files to clear up space. Now, depending on the device you’re using, follow the instructions below:

Android

1. Launch Settings on your Android device.

2. Head to the About Phone section.

3. Look for the Storage section and tap on it to check for detailed information about how much space your phone has.

Ensure that you have enough space left for Viber to download images. If you don’t, consider deleting some apps to free up space.

iPhone

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap on General.

3. Choose iPhone Storage.

Make sure there’s enough space available. After that, Viber will begin loading pictures and videos like it normally does.

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6. Check Viber’s server status

The issue might not lie with your device or connection but with Viber’s own servers. If they are experiencing downtime or maintenance, this could explain why photos aren’t loading. Check online resources like DownDetector or Viber’s official social media accounts for any reports of server problems. Unfortunately, if there are widespread issues, the only solution is to wait until Viber resolves the problem on their end.

7. Clear app cache

Over time, apps like Viber gather extra files called cache. These files can get messed up, causing problems like photos not showing up. Deleting these cache files can usually solve the problem. Here’s how to do it on Android or iPhone:

1. Open your Viber app and navigate to the More tab.

2. Tap Settings and choose Storage.

3. Lastly, press the Clear Cache Files button.

8. Update the app

Outdated apps often have bugs and glitches that can interfere with features’ performance. If you haven’t checked for updates in a while, head to the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android. Search for Viber and see if an Update button is available. Tap it to download the latest version, which might have the fixes you need to fix the ‘This photo is not available’ error in Viber.

Also read: How to add password to Pages document on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

9. Restore Viber backup

If none of the standard troubleshooting steps have resolved the ‘This photo is not available’ error in Viber, it’s time to consider restoring your Viber backup. Restoring an older backup could bring back the photo if the issue is caused by recent data corruption or a glitch.

Remember that restoring a backup can overwrite recent chats, so carefully consider if the potential loss outweighs the chance of recovering the photo. Before proceeding, ensure you understand the process and have a reliable backup in place. When sure, follow the detailed instructions below to restore the Viber backup on your device:

1. Find the Viber app on your phone and open it.

2. Look for the More option in the bottom navigation bar and tap on it.

3. Choose Settings from the available list and go to the Account section.

4. Locate the Viber Backup option and tap on the Restore option.

5. Select Restore Now to begin the process.

Now, you need to exercise patience, as Viber may take some time to restore all your chats. Once finished, see if your pictures have been successfully loaded along with your chats.

Also read: How to sync messages in Viber.

Viber photos loading

Troubleshooting the ‘This photo is not available’ error in Viber can be frustrating. Still, with the solutions outlined above, you should be able to resolve the issue and enjoy uninterrupted communication with friends and family. If you have any additional fixes I may have overlooked, please let me know in the comments. I will verify them, and if they work, I will update that on my list, too.