Source: https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/dicom-files-wont-open Guide G–07 · Opening # DICOM files won't open: common problems and fixes A failed scan import does not necessarily mean your images are damaged. You may have selected the index instead of the images, copied only part of a study, or opened a compressed download in the wrong application. Start with the symptom you can see and keep the original files unchanged. Gabriel Theis Founder, OpenMyScan 5 min read Updated October 26, 2026 Beginner ## What should I try first if DICOM files will not open? Copy the complete scan folder to your computer, extract it if it is a ZIP, and choose the whole folder in a DICOM viewer. If it still fails, note the exact error and whether all images or only one series are affected. Request a fresh DICOM export if files are missing or unreadable. Work from a local copy of the complete study. Do not delete files or rename extensions to fix an import. Trying another viewer can help distinguish a compatibility problem from a damaged copy. ## Which symptom matches your problem? | Symptom | Possible cause | Next step | | --- | --- | --- | | Double-click opens nothing useful | Your photo app does not understand DICOM. | Choose the folder in a DICOM viewer instead. | | The hospital's program does not start | The bundled application may be incompatible with your computer. | Use the original image files with another viewer; no need to run the launcher. | | Only DICOMDIR was sent | You have the index without the images. | Ask for the complete study folder or ZIP. | | A ZIP asks for a password or will not extract | The archive may be protected or incomplete. | Ask the sender for its password or download a fresh copy; extract on your computer first. | | No images appear after selecting a folder | The folder may contain only a report, a shortcut, or another archive. | Inspect the contents and choose the extracted image folder. | | Only a few images appear | You may have selected one series or received an incomplete copy. | Check the series list and compare with the original folder. | | A series opens but a frame fails | The file may be incomplete or use unsupported encoding. | Keep the error message, try the original copy in another viewer, or ask for a new export. | ## How do I check that I have the actual scan files? A hospital export often has many files, sometimes named `IM000001` without extensions. A single `.pdf` is usually the report, and a web shortcut may only point back to a patient portal. Neither replaces the image study. If you have [DICOMDIR](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicomdir-and-how-to-open-it), keep it beside its image folders. If you have a ZIP, follow the [ZIP opening instructions](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-dicom-zip-files) and check the extracted folder, rather than browsing only the archive preview. ## What if drag and drop does nothing? Use the folder picker on the viewer page and select the local copy. If the page reports a loading failure, reload it while online before choosing the files again. Close other large browser tabs if the computer is short of memory. Use any browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox) permitted on your computer. Work or school policies can restrict local file access; ask the administrator or use your own computer rather than changing security settings. Use a desktop or laptop with a browser window at least 1200 pixels wide for the viewer. A small-window message is different from an invalid-file error. ## Why is the scan very dark, bright, or apparently blank? First check that you have selected an image series and moved beyond its first frame. Some first or last slices contain little visible anatomy. Reset the view, try Easy-view, or adjust brightness and contrast. A scout or localizer series can look different from the main image series. If an explicit decoding error appears, brightness controls will not repair the file. Keep the error message and try the original image in another compatible viewer. A successfully displayed image does not establish a diagnosis; use the radiology report and your clinician for interpretation. ## When should I ask the imaging center for another copy? Ask when the disc cannot be copied, the download repeatedly fails to extract, the export contains only a report, or expected series are absent. Describe the problem precisely: for example, “The ZIP stops extracting” or “I received DICOMDIR but no image folders.” Ask for the complete examination in [DICOM format](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicom-format). If you contact OpenMyScan support, share the error wording, browser, and the step that failed. Avoid putting patient names, file contents, or medical images into a public bug report. Our [viewer comparison](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/best-free-dicom-viewer) lists alternatives if you need to check compatibility. // open your scan Ready Open your scan right now OpenMyScan runs in your browser. Your files stay on your computer while you review them. [Open viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) ## Common questions ### Does an import error mean my scan is corrupt? No. It can also mean the wrong folder was selected, an archive was not extracted, or the viewer does not support that file. Keep the original and use the error wording to narrow down the cause. ### Can I fix a file by renaming it to .dcm? Changing the extension does not change the contents. Keep the original names and select the complete folder instead. ### Why does another viewer open my scan? Viewers differ in supported DICOM objects and compressed image encodings. A compatibility difference does not by itself mean the original data is damaged. → try it now ## Open *your* scan Your original scan files are read on your device without a scan upload. Local previews and settings can persist after closing the tab; clear this site’s browser data to remove them completely. [Open viewer](https://openmyscan.com/en/dicom-viewer) [Browse all guides](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides) ## Keep reading [All 14 guides →](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides) [G–06 · Opening What is DICOMDIR, and how do I open it? DICOMDIR is an index, not your scan images. Learn which folders to keep, how to open the complete study, and what to do when images are missing. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/what-is-dicomdir-and-how-to-open-it) [G–08 · Opening How to open a downloaded MRI or CT ZIP file Downloaded an MRI or CT scan as a ZIP? Extract it on Mac or Windows, keep the study folders together, and open the DICOM images locally. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/how-to-open-dicom-zip-files) [G–05 · Opening Best DICOM viewer for your scans: free and paid options Compare free and paid DICOM viewers for MRI and CT: OpenMyScan, MicroDicom, OsiriX MD and RadiAnt. Check accounts, local viewing, exports and license terms. Read guide](https://openmyscan.com/en/guides/best-free-dicom-viewer) OpenMyScan is a viewer for images you already own. It is not a diagnostic tool, is not FDA- or CE-cleared, and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor.