When the Image Compressor seems to misbehave, the cause is usually one of two things: something stopped the tool from running, or it ran but the result is not usable. This guide starts with the fastest checks, then walks through the common problems and exact fixes.
Quick Checks First
- Refresh the page - a stalled session is the most common cause of nothing happening.
- Confirm the input is not empty and actually contains what you meant to submit.
- Try the smallest possible input; if that works, the issue is size, not the tool.
- Turn off browser extensions that block scripts, then reload and test again.
- Update or switch browsers if the problem repeats across sessions.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
The file is still too big
Lower quality to 75-80 or resize first - weight comes from pixels times quality.
I can see blocky artefacts
Push quality back up a few points - photographic content near 85 is usually clean.
Screenshot text looks fuzzy
Screenshots compress better as PNG - switch formats rather than crushing JPG quality.
Colour shifted slightly
Heavy compression approximates colour - raise quality for brand-critical images.
I compressed it three times and it degraded
Always start from the original file - repeated lossy passes stack their damage.
Transparency disappeared
JPG cannot store alpha - compress as PNG or WebP when transparency matters.
When It Works but the Output Is Poor
If the tool runs fine but the result misses, the problem is almost always the brief, not the software:
- Compressing an image that was already heavily compressed
- Choosing maximum quality and keeping most of the weight
- Compressing screenshots as photos and smearing text
- Ignoring dimensions when weight is the problem
How to Stop It Happening Next Time
- Keep a saved prompt template for every task you repeat.
- Change one setting per generation so causes stay obvious.
- Run a two-minute sanity test with known input after any update.
- Note every failure and its fix; a short troubleshooting log pays for itself.
Still Stuck?
Reproduce the problem with the smallest possible input and note the exact steps that triggered it. A one-line description of what you did, what you expected and what happened is enough to get a precise answer from support or a colleague.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I shrink an image?
Typically 60-90 percent with no visible change at quality 80-85.
Is compression lossy?
For photos yes - it discards imperceptible detail. Keep originals for future edits.
Which quality setting should I use?
82-85 balances size and fidelity well; drop to 75 when you need every kilobyte.
Are my files uploaded?
No - compression runs locally in your browser.
Related Guides
- Image Compressor - free online tool
- How to Use Image Compressor
- What Is an Image Compressor and How Does It Work?
- Image Compressor Examples: Real Scenarios and Results
- Image Compressor for Web Developers and Marketers
- Best Image Compressor Alternatives Worth Trying
- Image Compressor Tips and Best Practices
- Is Image Compressor Safe? Free vs Paid
- More image editing tools and guides