Next.js Image Optimization Not Working in Production on Vercel: A Troubleshooting Guide
Are you experiencing issues with Next.js's image optimization not working in your production environment on Vercel? You're not alone. While Next.js's built-in image optimization features are fantastic, they can sometimes cause headaches when deployed on Vercel. This article will guide you through the common culprits and offer solutions to get your images rendering correctly.
Scenario:
Imagine you've implemented Next.js's next/image component and have carefully configured the next.config.js file to optimize your images. However, upon deploying to Vercel, you notice that your images either aren't optimized (i.e., loading in their original size) or are displaying placeholder images instead.
Original Code Example:
// pages/index.js
import Image from 'next/image'
export default function Home() {
return (
<div>
<Image
src="/images/my-image.jpg"
alt="My Image"
width={500}
height={300}
/>
</div>
)
}
// next.config.js
module.exports = {
images: {
domains: ['example.com'], // Include domains if your images are from external sources
},
}
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
-
Vercel Image Optimization Configuration:
- Verify
next.config.js: Double-check yournext.config.jsfile to ensure theimagesobject is properly configured. This object is crucial for enabling image optimization and defining allowed image sources. - Image Optimization Enabled: Make sure the
imageOptimizationsetting in your Vercel project settings is enabled. You can find this option within your project's settings dashboard. - Image Optimization Configuration Conflicts: If you have a complex configuration with multiple layers of image optimization tools (e.g., Cloudflare, CDN, etc.), ensure they aren't conflicting with Vercel's optimization settings.
- Verify
-
Image Path and File Type:
- Relative Path: Ensure the image path in your
srcattribute is relative to the current component file. - Valid File Extension: Verify that the image file has a valid extension (e.g., .jpg, .png, .webp) and is correctly named.
- Relative Path: Ensure the image path in your
-
Image Optimization for External Sources:
domainsSetting: If your images are hosted on external domains, include them in thedomainsarray within thenext.config.jsfile.- CORS: Ensure your external image server is configured to allow cross-origin requests (CORS) from your Vercel application.
-
Caching and Browser Issues:
- Clear Cache: Clear your browser cache and hard-refresh the page. Sometimes, outdated cached images can cause the problem.
- Inspect Network Tab: Open your browser's developer tools and inspect the network tab to see if the optimized images are being requested correctly. If you notice errors or unexpected behavior, it can help pinpoint the issue.
-
Vercel Deployment Settings:
- Custom Domain: If you are using a custom domain, verify that it is correctly configured in your Vercel project settings.
- SSL Certificate: Ensure your website is using HTTPS to prevent browser warnings that could interfere with image loading.
Additional Tips:
- Vercel Logs: Check the Vercel logs for any errors related to image optimization or rendering.
- Debugging Tools: Use the developer tools (Network tab) in your browser to monitor network requests and identify potential bottlenecks.
- Simplify your Configuration: If you're facing challenges with complex configurations, try temporarily simplifying your
next.config.jssettings to isolate any conflicting settings.
Resources:
By carefully reviewing these steps and utilizing the provided resources, you can troubleshoot and resolve image optimization issues in your Next.js application deployed on Vercel.
