How to Fix Unable to Load Photo and Video on iPhone[10 Top Fixes]

Part 1. Why Are My iPhone Photos and Videos Not Loading?

When you see “Unable to Load Photo” or “Unable to load higher quality photo iPhone”, it usually means your device can’t retrieve the full-resolution version of the file. This could happen for several reasons:

• iCloudPhoto Library issues – If Optimize iPhoneStorage is enabled, the original photo is stored in iCloud. Without astable internet connection, your iPhone can’t download the higher-qualityversion.
• Networkproblems – Poor Wi-Fi or cellular data canprevent loading media.
• Lowstorage space – If your iPhone storage isalmost full, it may struggle to cache or download photos.
• iOSglitches – Sometimes, an iOS bug can leaveyour iPhone frozen while loading photos or videos.
• Unsupportedvideo formats – Certain videos may not playproperly due to codec incompatibility.
• Power-savingor data-saving modes – Low Power Mode or LowData Mode can interrupt background syncing with iCloud.

In short, this issue often relates to either network, storage, or system conflicts, which we’ll fix step by step.

Part 2. 10 Simple Fixes for Unable to Load Photo and Video on iPhone

Now that you understand why this issue appears, it’s time to fix it. The good news is that most cases of unable to load photo iPhone errors are caused by minor glitches or syncing delays, which can be resolved with simple troubleshooting. From checking your internet connection to updating iOS, these solutions work for both photos and videos stuck on the loading screen.

Here are 10 quick and effective ways to get your iPhone photos and videos loading properly again.

1. Check Internet Connections

Since many photos are stored in iCloud, a weak network is one of the main reasons photos and videos not loading on iPhone.

Steps to fix:

• Switch toa stable Wi-Fi network.
• If you’reusing mobile data, go to Settings > Photos > Cellular Data andenable Unlimited Updates.
• Resetyour network settings if the problem persists (Settings > General >Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings).

2. Restart the Photos App or iPhone

Sometimes, a simple restart clears minor glitches that cause iPhone unable to load photo errors.

Steps to fix:

• Swipe up(or double-tap the Home button) and close the Photos app.
• Reopen itand check if the photo loads.
• If not,restart your iPhone completely.

3. Delete and Recover the Photos

If a particular image won’t load, deleting and restoring it from iCloud can help.

Steps to fix:

• Delete theproblematic photo.
• Go toRecently Deleted and permanently remove it.
• Re-downloadit from iCloud or restore from a backup.

4. Free Up Storage Space

When storage is nearly full, your iPhone can’t properly cache new photos.

Steps to fix:

• Go toSettings > General > iPhone Storage.
• Deleteunused apps, large videos, or temporary files.
• Ensureyou have at least 1–2 GB of free space for smooth syncing.

5. Deactivate Storage Optimization

If Optimize iPhone Storage is enabled, only low-res versions are saved locally. Turning it off forces your iPhone to download the original full-resolution files.

Steps to fix:

• OpenSettings > Photos.
• SelectDownload and Keep Originals instead of Optimize iPhone Storage.

6. Use the Duplicate Function

Some users found success by duplicating the problematic image, which triggers the system to reload it.

Steps to fix:

• Open thePhotos app and select the problematic image.
• Tap Share> Duplicate.
• Tryopening the duplicated version.

7. Convert Video to a Compatible Format

If you see “An error occurred while loading a higher quality version of this video”, the video format may not be fully supported.

Steps to fix:

• Download avideo converter app or use QuickTime on Mac.
• Convertthe video to a more compatible format like MP4 (H.264).
• Save itback to your iPhone and try playing again.

8. Turn Off Low Data And Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode or Low Data Mode can interrupt syncing and background downloads, leading to failed to load photo errors.

Steps to fix:

• Go to Settings> Battery > Low Power Mode and turn it OFF.
• Go to Settings> Wi-Fi > Info (i) and disable Low Data Mode.

9. Update iOS to the Latest Version

Outdated iOS versions may contain bugs causing photos and videos not loading on iPhone.

Steps to fix:

• Go toSettings > General > Software Update.
• Downloadand install the latest iOS update.

10. Log Out and Back into iCloud

If syncing issues persist, signing out of iCloud and logging back in may refresh your photo library.

Steps to fix:

• Go toSettings > [Your Name] > Sign Out.
• Restartyour iPhone.
• Log backinto iCloud and allow time for photos to sync.

Part 3. ReiBoot Magic: Repair Your iPhone Photos & Videos in Seconds

If none of the above fixes work, it likely means your iPhone is dealing with deeper iOS system conflicts or corrupted files that are preventing photos and videos from loading properly. At this stage, manual troubleshooting can become time‑consuming and frustrating.

This is where Tenorshare ReiBoot comes in as the ultimate solution. ReiBoot is a professional iOS repair tool that can fix unable to load higher quality photo iPhone errors, as well as other iOS-related glitches, in just one click—without erasing any of your data. It works by repairing the entire iOS system, resolving hidden bugs that affect the Photos app and iCloud syncing.

With ReiBoot, you don’t have to worry about losing your memories or spending hours on complicated steps. It’s fast, safe, and effective for all iPhone models.

Steps to repair with ReiBoot:

• Downloadand install Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer.
• Connectyour iPhone via USB.

• ClickRepair Operating System > Standard Repair.

• Downloadthe latest iOS firmware package.

• ClickStart Standard Repair and wait for the process to complete.

• Your iPhone will restart without errors, and all photos and videos will load normally.

Part 4. FAQs on Unable to Load Photo iPhone

Q1. Why can’t I load photos after iOS update?

Sometimes, new iOS updates cause syncing issues with iCloud. Try reconnecting to Wi-Fi, disabling Low Power Mode, or using ReiBoot to repair any update glitches.

Q2. Why can’t I see my photos on iCloud?

You may not be connected to the internet, or iCloud Photo Library might be disabled. Go to Settings > Photos and enable iCloud Photos.

Q3. What does the exclamation mark on my iPhone photos mean?

It indicates the photo is stored in iCloud but hasn’t fully downloaded. Tap it while connected to Wi-Fi to retrieve the original version.

Conclusion

Dealing with unable to load photo iPhone errors can be annoying, especially when you need to access important memories. Thankfully, you now know exactly how to fix this issue—whether it’s by checking your network, freeing up storage, disabling optimization, or updating iOS.

But if your iPhone is unable to load photos due to system glitches, the fastest and safest solution is Tenorshare ReiBoot. With just one click, it repairs your iPhone without erasing data, ensuring your photos and videos load instantly.

Don’t wait—fix your iPhone now with ReiBoot and say goodbye to photo loading errors forever!

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