Why Won't My WebP Image Open? 4 Easy Fixes

You downloaded an image from the web, but when you double-click it, Windows Photos displays an error or Photoshop refuses to import it.

Because WebP is a web-centric format, older desktop programs and operating systems do not support it out of the box. Here is why the error happens and four practical ways to open your images.

Why Your App Cannot Open WebP

WebP is developed by Google to speed up web browsing. While every web browser decodes WebP easily, desktop operating systems adopted the format much later:

• Windows Photo Viewer (Windows 7 and early Windows 10) lacks native WebP decoding
• Photoshop versions released before 2022 cannot open .webp files without a plugin
• Older versions of Microsoft Office and word processors reject WebP attachments
• Many government upload forms and job application sites accept JPG and PNG only

This is similar to the issue iPhone owners experience with Apple's format, which we explain in our guide on what a HEIC file is.

Software Compatibility Matrix

Here is how popular desktop software handles .webp files today:

Fix 1: Convert WebP to JPG or PNG Online

The fastest fix is converting the file directly in your browser. This requires no software installation and works on any operating system.

Fix 2: Open the Image in Any Web Browser

Because every web browser supports WebP, your browser can act as a built-in image viewer:

1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge).
2. Drag the .webp file from your desktop directly into a new browser tab.
3. The image will render instantly in full resolution.

You can press Ctrl + P (or Cmd + P on Mac) to print or save the displayed image as a PDF.

Fix 3: Install the Official WebP Codec on Windows

If you frequently download WebP images and want Windows to generate thumbnails and open them in Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Download the WebP Codec for Windows installer from Google's official developer portal.
2. Run the setup wizard to install the codec.
3. Restart your computer. Windows Explorer will now display image thumbnails for all .webp files.

Fix 4: Install the WebPShop Plugin for Photoshop

If you use Photoshop 2021 or older:

1. Download the free WebPShop.plugin from Google's GitHub repository.
2. Place the file inside your Photoshop Plug-ins folder.
3. Restart Photoshop. You can now open, edit, and export WebP files like standard PSD or JPG documents.

To learn more about how format choices affect file size and sharpness, explore our JPG vs PNG vs WebP comparison guide and our head-to-head breakdown of AVIF vs WebP. If you plan to resize or print your converted images, check our guide on DPI vs PPI for crisp results.