Troubleshooting Immich Thumbnail Generation Error: Resolving Corrupt Header Issues On Valid JPEGs

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Having trouble with Immich failing to generate thumbnails and throwing a "corrupt header" error for your JPEGs? You're not alone! This can be a frustrating issue, especially when the file seems perfectly fine when checked with other tools. This article dives deep into diagnosing and fixing this problem, ensuring your Immich library displays those thumbnails as expected. Let's get started and get those thumbnails generated!

Understanding the Issue: Corrupt Header Error in Immich

When using Immich, you might encounter an error message that looks like this:

2025-09-01 01:30:04.027 | [Nest] 7  - 09/01/2025, 1:30:04 AM    ERROR [Microservices:{"id":"e004eb18-61d9-4574-8afd-c083d6ebf6f2"}] Unable to run job handler (AssetGenerateThumbnails): Error: Input file has corrupt header: magickload: Magick: ImproperImageHeader '/data/library/5fe8ea59-e93f-4b61-8b2f-b187b77fc41d/2025/2025-08/SKY20250809_052821574.jpg' @ error/tga.c/ReadTGAImage/221 (null)

This error indicates that Immich is having trouble reading the header information of your JPEG file during thumbnail generation. The header contains crucial metadata about the image, such as its dimensions, color profile, and other essential details. A corrupted header can prevent Immich from correctly processing the image, leading to thumbnail generation failure. However, the confusing part is that when you use the file command on the same JPEG, it reports the file as a valid JPEG image, often with detailed EXIF data. This discrepancy suggests a more nuanced problem than a simple file corruption.

Why Does This Happen?

There are several reasons why Immich might report a corrupt header even on a valid JPEG:

  1. ImageMagick Compatibility: Immich relies on ImageMagick, a powerful image processing library, for thumbnail generation. Certain JPEG files, especially those created with newer camera models or specific encoding settings (like HDR+ from Pixel phones), might contain features or metadata that ImageMagick's version within Immich doesn't fully support. This can lead to misinterpretation of the header, triggering the error.
  2. EXIF Data Issues: The EXIF data (Exchangeable Image File Format) embedded within JPEGs can sometimes be the culprit. While the core image data might be fine, inconsistencies or unsupported tags within the EXIF block can confuse ImageMagick. This is particularly common with images from smartphones that use advanced image processing techniques.
  3. Progressive JPEGs: JPEGs can be encoded in different ways, including progressive and baseline. Progressive JPEGs are designed to load in stages, showing a low-quality preview first and gradually increasing in detail. While generally supported, some older versions of ImageMagick might have issues with certain progressive JPEG formats.
  4. File System or Storage Issues: Although less common, underlying file system problems or storage inconsistencies can sometimes lead to data corruption during file transfer or storage, affecting the header information.

Is your Immich installation running on Windows 11?

It is important to note that the operating system Immich Server is running on can contribute to this error. In this case, the Immich Server is running on Windows 11. This information is relevant because Windows, with its specific file handling and library dependencies, might interact with Immich and ImageMagick in a way that triggers this issue more frequently than other operating systems like Linux. Be mindful of this aspect as we delve into troubleshooting steps.

Diagnosing the Problem

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to accurately diagnose the issue. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Verify the JPEG with Other Tools: Use other image viewers or editors (like GIMP, Photoshop, or even online JPEG validators) to open the problematic JPEG. If these tools display the image correctly, it strengthens the likelihood of an Immich-specific issue.
  2. Check File Integrity: While the file command provides basic JPEG validation, consider using more robust tools like md5sum or sha256sum to generate a checksum of the file. If you suspect file system issues, compare the checksum of the file on your Immich server with the original source. This can help confirm whether the file has been corrupted during transfer or storage.
  3. Examine Immich Logs: Carefully review the Immich logs for more detailed error messages. The logs might contain clues about the specific part of the header ImageMagick is struggling with. Pay attention to any messages related to EXIF parsing or specific image formats.
  4. Identify the Source of the Images: Are the problematic JPEGs primarily from a specific device (e.g., a particular smartphone model)? Knowing the source can help narrow down the issue. For instance, images from certain Pixel phones with HDR+ enabled might be more prone to this error.

Troubleshooting Steps and Solutions

Now that we've explored the potential causes, let's look at practical solutions to fix the corrupt header error in Immich:

  1. Update Immich: Ensure you're running the latest version of Immich. The developers regularly release updates that include bug fixes and improvements to image processing. Newer versions might have better compatibility with various JPEG formats and ImageMagick versions. The user in this case is using version v1.140.1 for both the Immich Server and Mobile App, so updating to the latest version is a good first step.

  2. Update ImageMagick (If Possible): Immich typically bundles its own version of ImageMagick. However, if you're running Immich in a Docker container or have some control over the underlying system, you might be able to update ImageMagick separately. Check the Immich documentation or community forums for guidance on how to do this. A newer ImageMagick version often includes enhanced support for various image formats and can resolve compatibility issues.

  3. Re-encode the JPEG: This is often the most effective solution. Re-encoding the JPEG essentially rewrites the file, potentially fixing any inconsistencies in the header or EXIF data. You can use image editing software like GIMP, Photoshop, or even online tools to re-save the JPEG. When re-encoding, try experimenting with different settings, such as:

    • Quality: Slightly reducing the quality (e.g., from 95% to 90%) can sometimes help. However, avoid significant quality reductions, as this can visibly degrade the image.
    • Encoding Method: If your software offers options, try switching between baseline and progressive encoding.
    • EXIF Data: You can choose to preserve, strip, or modify the EXIF data during re-encoding. Sometimes, stripping the EXIF data can resolve the issue, but you'll lose the embedded metadata (like date, time, and camera settings).
    • Color Profile: Ensure the image uses a common color profile like sRGB. Inconsistent or unsupported color profiles can sometimes cause problems.

    For example, you can use ImageMagick directly from the command line to re-encode the image:

    magick convert SKY20250809_052821574.jpg output.jpg

    This command will re-encode the JPEG using ImageMagick's default settings. You can add options to control the quality, encoding method, and other parameters.

  4. Strip EXIF Data: If re-encoding doesn't work, try explicitly stripping the EXIF data from the JPEG. Tools like exiftool can be used for this purpose. For instance:

    exiftool -all= SKY20250809_052821574.jpg -o output.jpg

    This command will remove all EXIF data from the image and save it as output.jpg. Be aware that this will permanently remove the metadata from the image.

  5. Convert to a Different Format: As a last resort, consider converting the JPEG to a different image format, such as PNG or TIFF. These formats use different encoding schemes and might be less susceptible to header-related issues. You can use ImageMagick or other image editing software for this conversion:

    magick convert SKY20250809_052821574.jpg output.png

    However, keep in mind that converting to a different format might result in a larger file size or loss of image quality (especially if converting to a lossy format like JPEG from a lossless format like PNG).

  6. Check File Permissions: Ensure that the Immich server has the necessary permissions to read the JPEG files. Incorrect file permissions can sometimes prevent Immich from accessing the file header.

  7. Investigate Hardware Acceleration: The provided docker-compose.yml file indicates the use of Intel Quick Sync for hardware acceleration. While hardware acceleration can improve performance, it can sometimes introduce compatibility issues. Try temporarily disabling hardware acceleration to see if it resolves the problem. This might involve commenting out or modifying the relevant sections in your docker-compose.yml file and restarting the Immich containers.

  8. Review Docker Volume Mounts: The docker-compose.yml file also shows several volume mounts for external libraries. Ensure that these mounts are correctly configured and that the paths are accessible from within the Immich containers. Incorrect volume mounts can lead to file access issues.

Specific Considerations for Pixel 9 Pro Images

The user mentions that the problematic JPEG is from a Pixel 9 Pro with HDR+ enabled. Images from Pixel phones, particularly those captured with HDR+, can sometimes have unique characteristics that might trigger compatibility issues with older image processing libraries. Here are some specific steps to consider:

  1. HDR+ Processing: HDR+ images often involve complex processing techniques that might result in non-standard JPEG encoding. Try disabling HDR+ in your Pixel's camera settings and capturing a new image to see if the issue persists.
  2. Google Photos Backup: If you're backing up your Pixel photos to Google Photos and then transferring them to Immich, the transfer process might introduce some modifications. Try downloading the original image directly from your Pixel (without going through Google Photos) and see if that resolves the issue.
  3. Specific EXIF Tags: Pixel phones might include specific EXIF tags that are not widely supported. If stripping EXIF data resolves the problem, you might want to investigate which specific tags are causing the issue. Tools like exiftool allow you to selectively remove EXIF tags.

Analyzing the Provided Configuration

The user has provided their docker-compose.yml and .env files, which offer valuable insights into their Immich setup. Let's analyze some key aspects:

  • Volume Mounts: The user has several volume mounts for external libraries, including paths like /d/User1/Photos:/usr/src/app/external/User1_Photos:ro. Ensure that these paths are correctly mapped and accessible within the Docker container. The :ro indicates read-only access, which is generally a good practice for external libraries.
  • Storage Locations: The user has defined separate locations for uploads, thumbnails, profiles, encoded videos, and backups. This is a good way to organize data and potentially improve performance. However, ensure that the disks or storage devices associated with these locations have sufficient space and are performing optimally.
  • Database Location: The database is located on the K: drive, which is mentioned as an SSD. This is a good choice for performance. Regularly backing up the database is crucial to prevent data loss.
  • Timezone: The timezone is set to Europe/Amsterdam. Ensure that this is the correct timezone for your location, as it can affect the timestamps of your photos and videos.
  • Immich Version: The user is using IMMICH_VERSION=release, which means they're using the latest stable release. This is generally recommended, as it includes the latest bug fixes and features.

Reporting the Issue

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still encountering the corrupt header error, consider reporting the issue on the Immich GitHub repository. Provide detailed information about your setup, including:

  • The Immich version
  • The operating system of your Immich server
  • The source of the problematic JPEGs
  • The steps you've taken to troubleshoot the issue
  • The relevant log output
  • A sample JPEG file (if possible, and if it doesn't contain sensitive information)

This will help the Immich developers diagnose the problem and potentially release a fix in a future version.

Conclusion

The "corrupt header" error in Immich can be a tricky issue, but by systematically diagnosing the problem and trying the solutions outlined in this article, you can often resolve it. Remember to pay attention to the source of your images, your Immich configuration, and the specific error messages in the logs. With a bit of patience and persistence, you can get those thumbnails generating and enjoy your Immich library to the fullest! If you're still stuck, don't hesitate to seek help from the Immich community or the developers on GitHub. Good luck, and happy photo managing!