Use full image links that start with https:// and open in a private browser window. Or upload the images to Media, Add New first, then use their file names. Separate several images in one cell with commas; the first one becomes the main product image.

WooCommerce import error: "Unable to use image"

What it means: WooCommerce downloads every image that is a full web link. A value that is not a link, such as mug.jpg or C:\photos\mug.jpg, is only looked up by file name in your Media Library. If no file with that name is there, the image fails with "Unable to use image" and the product imports without it. Full links that fail to download give a different message, such as "Error getting remote image".

Find the rows in your file

WooCommerce product import

Choose file

The product CSV you are about to import into WooCommerce (Products, Import), or the one that just failed.

Your file stays on this device

It is read and converted by this page, inside your browser. Nothing from the file is uploaded, and the tool keeps working offline once the page has loaded.

No file handy? or download the sample to look at it first.

The products in the sample are invented. It is checked on this device, the same way your own file would be.

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How to fix it

Use full image links that start with https:// and open in a private browser window.
Or upload the images to Media, Add New first, then use their file names.
Separate several images in one cell with commas; the first one becomes the main product image.

Example

A file with this problem

Type,SKU,Name,Published,Visibility in catalog,Tax status,In stock?,Stock,Regular price,Images,Parent,Attribute 1 name,Attribute 1 value(s...
simple,MUG-1,Mug,1,visible,taxable,1,5,12.00,mug.jpg,,,,

What the checker says about it

Line 2: "Mug": the image "mug.jpg" is not a web link. WooCommerce only looks for a file with that name already in your Media Library; if it is not there the image fails with "Unable to use image". Use a full https:// link, or upload the files to the Media Library first.

Once the listed rows are fixed, check the file again; the checker also looks for the other problems in WooCommerce's import code, so you do not trade one error for the next.

Questions

What does "Unable to use image" mean in WooCommerce?: WooCommerce downloads every image that is a full web link. A value that is not a link, such as mug.jpg or C:\photos\mug.jpg, is only looked up by file name in your Media Library. If no file with that name is there, the image fails with "Unable to use image" and the product imports without it. Full links that fail to download give a different message, such as "Error getting remote image".
How do I fix it?: Use full image links that start with https:// and open in a private browser window. Or upload the images to Media, Add New first, then use their file names. Separate several images in one cell with commas; the first one becomes the main product image.

Other WooCommerce import errors

Sources

WooCommerce 11.2.2 source: abstract-wc-product-importer.php: https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/blob/11.2.2/plugins/woocommerce/includes/import/abstract-wc-product-importer.php
WooCommerce 11.2.2 source: class-wc-product-csv-importer.php: https://github.com/woocommerce/woocommerce/blob/11.2.2/plugins/woocommerce/includes/import/class-wc-product-csv-importer.php

Based on WooCommerce 11.2.2's import code and documentation. Not tested on a live store.