In deployed next.js app, my images are not displaying in the dynamic route pages. In the static ones, It works well. How can I fix it?

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31-08-2024

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Next.js Image Loading Woes: Dynamic Routes vs. Static Pages

If you're encountering a frustrating situation where images load perfectly in static Next.js pages but fail to appear in dynamically rendered routes, you're not alone. This is a common problem with Next.js image handling, especially for newer versions. Let's dive into the issue and explore the solution.

The Problem:

• Dynamic Routes vs. Static Pages: In Next.js, static pages are pre-rendered at build time, while dynamic routes require server-side rendering or client-side data fetching. This difference in rendering methods can lead to image loading issues if not handled properly.
• Image Paths and the "public" Folder: The public folder in Next.js is the designated location for static assets like images. These images are directly accessible via their relative paths within your application. However, this might not work smoothly with dynamically rendered pages, especially in a deployed environment.

Understanding the Root Cause:

When you access a static page, the HTML containing the image paths is generated at build time. So, when the page loads in the browser, the images are fetched directly from the public folder, making everything work seamlessly.

Dynamic pages, on the other hand, are rendered on the server or client-side. This means that the image paths must be constructed dynamically based on the data received from the server. If the paths are not properly generated, the browser won't know where to find the images, leading to broken displays.

The Solution:

The key to fixing this issue lies in ensuring that the image paths are correct and consistent, regardless of whether the page is static or dynamic. Here's how you can achieve this:

1. Embrace next/image: Next.js provides its own image component, next/image, which is specifically designed to handle image loading efficiently and optimize performance. Use next/image within your dynamic routes to leverage its power:

   import Image from 'next/image';
   
   function CreditCard({ card }) {
     return (
       <div>
         <Image 
           src={`/public/${card.image}`} 
           alt={card.name} 
           width={200} 
           height={100} 
         />
       </div>
     );
   }
   

   Important Note: Ensure that the image path within the src attribute is relative to the root of your Next.js project, and that your images are placed within the public folder.

2. Dynamic Path Generation: If your image paths are dynamically constructed, you need to ensure they are accurate. A common mistake is to include leading slashes in the path when using dynamic routes. For example, instead of src="/images/card.jpg", use src="images/card.jpg".

3. Handle Deployment: When you deploy your Next.js application, make sure that your next.config.js file is correctly configured. This is especially important for optimizing image loading and ensuring the images are served from the appropriate locations.

Example:

In the code snippets provided, you can see the structure for dynamically loading images in a credit card component. This demonstrates how next/image and dynamic path generation can work together to solve the loading issue.

Key Takeaways:

• next/image is your friend: Always use next/image in Next.js applications, especially for dynamic pages. It optimizes image loading and handling.
• Dynamic Path Precision: Be careful about leading slashes when dynamically constructing image paths.
• Proper Deployment: Configure your next.config.js file to handle image optimization and serving correctly.

By following these principles, you can overcome the hurdle of image loading inconsistencies between static and dynamic pages in your Next.js application. This will ensure a seamless user experience across all parts of your application.