Gifs Not Working In Telegram? Here’s The Why & The Fixes!

Animated GIFs are a popular way to communicate in Telegram, but sometimes they might not work the way we expect it to.

Understanding the possible reasons for this problem and knowing the fixes can help you resolve the issue quickly.

However, this article will satisfy your curiosity and provide you with all the precise details you need to know.

What Are Gifs?

GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) are a type of digital image format that supports both static and animated images with up to 256 colors.

Uses:

1. Sharing short, looping animations and reactions on social media and messaging platforms.
2. Displaying simple graphics like logos and icons.
3. Creating animated web advertisements and banners.
4. Providing quick visual instructions or demonstrations.

Why Are Gifs Not Working In Telegram?

If GIFs are not working on Telegram, it could be due to a few reasons:

1. Slow Internet Connection: Check your internet connection. Sometimes GIFs may not load properly if your connection is slow or unstable.
2. App Version: Make sure you have the latest version of the Telegram app installed. Older versions may have compatibility issues with GIFs.
3. Settings: You might have disabled auto-play for GIFs in Telegram settings.
4. Server Issues: Sometimes Telegram servers may have temporary issues. In this case, waiting for a while and trying again later might solve the problem.
5. Device Compatibility: Ensure that your device is compatible with playing GIFs. Although rare, some older or less powerful devices may struggle to play GIFs smoothly.

How To Fix Gifs Not Working In Telegram?

Here’s how you do it:

Fix 1: Strong Network Connection

One of the most common reasons GIFs fail to load or play in Telegram is a weak or unstable network connection. 

GIFs require a steady internet connection to download and play smoothly. 

Here’s how to ensure your network is not the problem:

1. Check Your Wi-Fi/Cellular Connection: Ensure your device is connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or has strong cellular signal strength.
2. Test Your Internet Speed: Use an internet speed test tool to verify that your connection is fast enough. Ideally, you should have at least 5 Mbps for smooth media playback.
3. Reset Your Router: Sometimes, simply resetting your Wi-Fi router can resolve connectivity issues.
4. Switch Networks: If you are experiencing issues on Wi-Fi, try switching to a cellular data connection or vice versa.

Fix 2: Close And Restart Telegram

Sometimes, a minor glitch within the app can prevent GIFs from loading or playing correctly. 

Closing and then restarting Telegram can help clear such issues. 

Here’s how you can do it:

For iOS:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle (on an iPhone with Face ID) or double-click the Home button (on an iPhone with a Home button).
2. Swipe right or left to find the Telegram app.
3. Swipe up on the Telegram app preview to quit it.
4. Reopen the Telegram app.

For Android:

1. Open the Recent Apps menu by tapping the square button or swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding.
2. Swipe left or right to find Telegram.
3. Swipe the Telegram app preview off the screen to close it.
4. Relaunch Telegram from your home screen or app drawer.

Fix 3: Update Telegram

An outdated version of Telegram might have bugs or compatibility issues that prevent GIFs from working correctly. 

Keeping the app updated ensures you have the latest features and bug fixes. 

Here’s how to update Telegram:

For iOS:

1. Open the App Store on your device.
2. Search for the Telegram app
3. Scroll down to see if Telegram has an available update.
4. If an update is available, tap “Update” next to Telegram.

For Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.
2. Tap on the search tab.
3. Type in “Telegram” and click on the app to reveal its page.
4. If Telegram has an Updated Version, update and install it.

Fix 4: Increase Cache Size Limit

Telegram enhances performance by storing files such as photos, videos, and GIFs on your device, enabling faster content loading. If GIFs are not loading properly, increasing the cache size limit may help.

On Mobile:

1. Launch Telegram on your iPhone or Android device.
2. On iPhone, tap Settings in the bottom-right corner. On Android, tap the menu icon in the top-left corner and select Settings.
3. Navigate to Data and Storage and select Storage Usage.
4. Use the slider to increase the Maximum Cache Size.

On Desktop:

1. Open Telegram on your Mac or Windows PC.
2. On Mac, click the Settings icon in the bottom-left corner.
3. Choose Data and Storage from the left menu.
4. Click on Storage Usage.
5. Use the slider to increase the Maximum Cache Limit.

Fix 5: Review Power Saving Mode Settings

Telegram’s Power Saving Mode reduces animations, interface effects, automatic video playback, and background updates. If GIFs aren’t playing, you may need to disable Power Saving Mode for GIFs.

On Mobile

1. Open the Telegram app on your iPhone or Android device.
2. On iPhone, tap the Settings icon in the bottom-right corner. On Android, tap the hamburger icon in the top-left corner and select Settings.
3. Select Power Saving and disable it for Autoplay GIFs.

On Desktop

1. Open Telegram on your Mac or Windows PC.
2. On Mac, click the Settings icon in the bottom-left corner. On Windows, click the hamburger icon in the top-left corner and select Settings.
3. Click on General from the left menu.
4. Select Power Saving Mode.
5. Disable Power Saving Mode for Autoplay GIFs.

Fix 6: Verify If the GIF File Is Corrupted

If a GIF file you downloaded from an external website isn’t working, it might be corrupted. This is a common issue, as not all websites offer high-quality downloads. Check the file and try downloading it again from a reliable source.

In Summary

By following these fixes highlighted above, you can address the common issues that prevent GIFs from working in Telegram and enjoy a seamless messaging experience.

Further Reading