Why is My PNG Image Not Transparent?

By Jessie Published March 30, 2023

Inside this Article

• Causes
  • Opaque backgrounds
  • Incorrect file formats
  • Browser Incompatibility
• Tools to Create a Transparent Background for a PNG
• How to Make a PNG Transparent

Got a photo with a background layer that is supposed to be transparent, but that visible layer won't budge? We've all been there, so don't sweat it; we're here to save the day. Learn how easy it is to give your images transparent backgrounds while still looking professional and polished as you explore common causes of PNGs with a clear or white background - plus solutions for quick fixes!

If you are not sure whether your PNG image even has a transparent background, fear not! You can learn to check for yourself by taking a look at our article on How Do I Know If a PNG Is Transparent.

Causes

Here are some of the main causes of why your PNG is showing up without a transparent background. We have also made sure to include some quick fixes which might just help you solve the problem!

1. Opaque backgrounds

If the original file was saved with a checkered background or without erasing it, then the image can become obscured. You can get to the source of this issue quickly by using editing software like GIMP and Canva. Using this software, open up your image and remove any undesirable backgrounds- then save it as a transparent PNG file!

2. Incorrect file formats

Make sure to save your PNG images as the correct file type. PNG files support transparent backgrounds, so the PNG format is always the top choice. 

3. Browser Incompatibility

Outdated browsers will not always display PNG transparency correctly. This is also an issue that crops up due to search engine compatibility problems. Try switching browsers or updating to the latest version, and watch how the image background of your PNG magically disappears. 

Tools To Fix a Transparent Background for a PNG

If your transparent image background is not working, something might be up with the file type! Photoshop, GIMP, Canva, and Paint.NET are classic editing software choices when it comes to removing image backgrounds. Whip out any of these software and make sure you are saving the resulting file as a PNG that supports transparency - it is the go-to image format for transparency.

For those who want something a little more convenient, you can also try out Remove.bg. It is a web-based AI tool that automatically removes the backgrounds of photos at lightning speed without compromising image quality or transparency.

You can also use these software to check to see if there are any extra layers causing issues. If there are, you may need to remove those invisible layers first in order to get an even image layer transparent background, without distorting any background pixels.

1. Photoshop: This famous editing software allows you to remove the background of an image and save it in PNG with transparency.
2. GIMP: GIMP is a free and open-source image editing software that offers similar capabilities to Adobe Photoshop, including removing backgrounds and saving images as a PNG.
3. Canva: This is an online graphic design platform offering a simple and user-friendly interface for creating designs, including removing image backgrounds and saving them as transparent PNG files.
4. Paint.NET: This is a free image editing software for Windows that offers essential tools for removing backgrounds and saving an image as a PNG.
5. Remove.bg: This is a web-based tool that uses AI to automatically remove the background of an image and save it as a PNG.

How to Make a PNG Transparent

We will now guide you through creating a transparent PNG image.

Step 1: Choose Your Image

Step 2: Open Your Image Editing Software

Software like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Canva, or Paint.NET will help you transform and convert that simple PNG into something totally transparent and amazing!

Don't worry if you do not have Photoshop, hop over to this guide on How to Make a PNG Transparent Without Photoshop.

Step 3: Remove the Background

With just a few clicks of your mouse, erase black backgrounds easily using any of the software's powerful tools, such as Magic Wand or Lasso Tool. 

Step 4: Save as a PNG

Save it as PNG! With the final background layer removed, you can now store your image file type with transparency enabled. Just double-click that "Save As" dialog box and choose the all-mighty Portable Network Graphics format, ensuring every new layer of picture goodness you create, edit and upload has an awesomely transparent backdrop.

PNG: The Superior Format For Transparent Background Images

PNG stands out as the 'go-to' format for web images, thanks to its flexible transparency layer support. Although JPGs with clear backgrounds are popular on many sites due to their smaller file size and lightning-fast loading speeds, they cannot be compressed without the image losing quality. This makes PNG the best choice for those seeking to make the background of their image transparent while also maintaining high-definition image quality - so get PNGin', people.