Description:
Since ~Sept 16, 2025, images on Wikipedia (and other Wikimedia sites) show a blurred version or clear thumbnail with a persistent loading/buffering spinner on top.
The full image only loads when the image is explicitly clicked and opened.
This issue:
Happens across multiple phones (tested on Android, with Chrome & Firefox).
Happens on Wi-Fi, mobile data, and even with VPN enabled.
Started suddenly around Sept 16–17, 2025.
Affects not only Wikipedia but also other sites using Wikimedia images.
Steps to reproduce:
- Open Wikipedia article (any, e.g. with an image).
- Scroll to an image.
- Observe that image shows spinner overlay despite being visible.
- Only when clicking through to image page does it load fully.
Expected behavior:
Images should load normally without persistent spinner when visible on page.
Environment details:
Location: India (tested in Maharashtra).
Devices: multiple Android phones.
Browsers: Chrome (latest), Firefox (latest), every browsers.
Also persists with VPN (so not ISP-specific).
Impact:
Very disruptive to browsing, affects all Wikipedia images in articles.
