Why Are My GIFs Sending As Links on Discord? (2023)

One of the most distinctive aspects of Discord is the ability to share media files, including images and animated GIFs. The platform’s automated preview capability depends on whether a GIF is shown as a direct picture or as a link.

GIFs, or Graphics Interchange Format, have established themselves as a foundation of online discourse by enhancing messages with comedy, expressiveness, and aesthetic appeal.

Some Discord users have encountered an odd problem where the animated images they transmit as GIFs turn into links instead of appearing in the conversation. In this article, we will examine the causes and possible remedies for this problem in order to comprehend why Discord GIFs could be sent as links.

Why Are My GIFs Sending As Links on Discord?

It is because of user settings, file size restrictions, internet connection speed, auto preview limitations, conflicting source hosting, restricted authorizations, disabled embed image previews, compatibility issues, and server-specific configurations.

Here are the reasons why your Discord is sending GIFs as links:

Settings Prevent Viewing of GIFs

GIFs cannot be viewed directly in a conversation in Discord. Individual users may control these parameters, or server administrators or channel moderators may set them. Some users may want to prevent the display of GIFs or embed previews in their personal settings at the individual user’s level.

When this setting is disabled, GIFs provided in the conversation will be shown as links rather than immediately inserted or shown as animated pictures. Users can use this setting to limit distractions, save data, or customize their chat experience.

GIFs That are Too Large

GIFs are among the media assets whose sizes Discord restricts in order to manage server storage and preserve peak performance. A GIF larger than the maximum file size Discord permits will be delivered as a link rather than seen in the conversation.

These size restrictions serve several crucial functions. First, by preventing overly big files from taking up too much space on the server, they aid in managing server storage and ensuring peak performance.

Discord can preserve a balance between accommodating media material and maintaining the platform’s operation by imposing certain restrictions.

Internet Connection Speed

By showing GIFs as links, Discord may emphasize a smoother conversation experience when faced with a sluggish or unreliable internet connection. This method helps avoid lengthy loading times or disruptions brought on by slow data transport rates.

Discord ensures that chat messages are accessible and responsive even on poor connections by displaying GIFs as links. Additionally, the timely and flawless movement of data, particularly media files like GIFs, might be hampered by a poor internet connection.

Conflicting Source Hosting

Some websites or servers have policies that forbid hotlinking or external embedding of their material, including animated GIFs. A GIF uploaded on such a platform prevents Discord from showing it directly in the conversation.

Instead, it displays the GIF as a link while observing the restrictions and rules of the originating server. For a smooth viewing experience, Discord tries to embed and show GIFs shared within the conversation.

Discord cannot, however, immediately show the GIF if the source hosting, such as the website or server where the GIF is located, restricts external embedding or hotlinking. Instead, it offers a link that visitors can click to access the GIF’s external content.

Restricted Authorizations

Discord allows for setting permissions and content screening controls by server administrators or channel moderators. These limitations may exist to uphold community standards, preserve a particular theme or ambiance, or stop presenting potentially offensive information.

As a result, users may run into restrictions while trying to view GIFs directly in Discord when limited authorizations are in effect.

Disabled Embed Previews

Discord users can prevent the presentation of embedded previews for GIFs in their settings. GIFs shared in the conversation will be shown as links rather than being directly inserted if a user has this option disabled.

Any GIF provided in the conversation will show up as a link rather than being immediately embedded or seen as an animated picture if a user has disabled embed previews for GIFs. Users will thus need to visit the link to watch the GIF in a different browser tab or window rather than have it play within the conversation.

Issues With GIF Compatibility

Although Discord supports various GIF formats, some GIFs might not work properly. It’s possible that Discord won’t be able to show a GIF correctly if it utilizes an unsupported format or has special encoding problems.

These compatibility problems may occur if a GIF employs an incompatible format or has certain encoding problems. Moreover, Discord’s rendering engine might not correctly render or interpret such GIFs, making them appear in the chat as links rather than embedded pictures.

Server-Specific Configuration

Server managers may alter the settings and specifications for their servers using Discord. It involves changing the server’s handling of GIFs. For instance, a server can deactivate the preview capability to save server traffic or impose a certain communication style.

The server has disabled the automated embedding of media files if GIFs are given as links. This setting decision could have been made to avoid clogged chat or reduce the visibility of potentially offensive or distracting information.

How to Fix Discord GIFs Sending as Links?

To fix this, Make sure the link preview or comparable option is activated in your Discord settings before trying to troubleshoot Discord GIFs sent as links. Ensure the GIF you’re sharing complies with Discord’s maximum file size constraints by checking the file size restrictions.

Here are the steps you can follow to fix Discord GIFs sending as links issues:

Check Your Settings Discord

You may access your user settings by opening Discord. Find the “Text & Images” area or a comparable setting. Make sure “Link Preview” or a comparable setting is selected. Instead of sending GIFs as links, Discord may display their embedded samples in the chat.

If the option was previously enabled, you might need to look into additional possible explanations, such as file size restrictions, incompatible file types, and customizations unique to the server. However, reviewing your Discord settings is the first step in resolving this issue.

Verify File Size Limitations

GIFs are subject to Discord’s size limitations for media files. Check the GIF’s file size to ensure it doesn’t exceed Discord’s maximum file size restriction before sharing it. If the GIF’s file size exceeds what is considered appropriate, think about applying compression software or shrinking the GIF.

Additionally, GIFs may be shown immediately in the conversation by adhering to Discord’s file size restrictions, making for a more enjoyable and smooth communication experience.

Check the Source Hosting

Verify that the source permits external embedding or hotlinking before sharing a GIF hosted on an external website or server. Discord might be unable to view the GIF directly due to limitations on some websites or servers.

In these circumstances, you can think about directly submitting the GIF to Discord’s servers or looking for an alternate hosting provider that supports embedding.

Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection

Discord’s ability to correctly load and show a sluggish or inconsistent internet connection might hamper GIFs. To rule out connection-related difficulties, consider rebooting your router, scanning for network faults, or attempting to connect to a different network while troubleshooting your internet connection.

You may be able to enhance the loading and presentation of GIFs on Discord by analyzing your internet connection, which may lessen the possibility that they will show up as links. Restart your device by turning it off and then on again.

Review Server-Specific Settings

Reviewing Discord’s server-specific settings is critical to resolve the issue with GIFs being sent as links. The parameters and limitations that can impact how GIFs are shown on the server can be customized by server administrators.

Check the server’s policies or guidelines first. The display of GIFs in chat may be governed by particular regulations that server administrators have put in place. Moreover, if you are the administrator of that server, you can change the settings immediately.

Update Discord

To fix the Discord GIFs sending as links, updating the Discord application is an important step. Updating Discord ensures you have an updated software program version, which frequently consists of bug fixes, performance enhancements, and characteristic improvements.

These updates can cope with recognized problems related to GIF shows and enhance the overall functionality of Discord. To replace Discord, open the application and check for any available updates. Moreover, Discord typically notifies users when updates are available, but sometimes it starts updating automatically.

Discord There are a few things to consider when sending GIFs as links rather than showing them directly in the discussion. Additionally, It may be because of user preferences, such as turning off embed previews or server-specific settings made by moderators or administrators.

GIFs may also be transmitted as links due to file size restrictions placed by Discord in order to maintain server storage and performance. GIFs may have trouble loading and displaying on slow or unreliable internet connections; therefore, Discord will sometimes display them as links to make the discussion go more smoothly.

You can start by making sure the “Link Preview” or equivalent option is turned on in your Discord settings before trying to resolve the problem. Additionally, it’s crucial to check file size constraints to ensure the GIFs you share adhere to Discord’s limitations.

Additionally, this may entail contacting Discord’s official support staff for tailored advice or turning to the community forums for assistance, where knowledgeable users may provide suggestions and advice based on their experiences.

You may fix the problem with Discord GIFs being sent as links by following these instructions and asking for help when necessary. Moreover, it guarantee a smooth and pleasurable media-sharing experience inside the Discord platform.