Nano Banana 2 Troubleshooting Guide: Solutions to 20+ Common Issues

Introduction

Even with its intuitive interface, Nano Banana 2 users occasionally encounter challenges. This comprehensive troubleshooting guide addresses the 20+ most common issues reported by users, providing practical solutions and workarounds.

Whether you're getting unexpected results, experiencing technical errors, or simply not achieving the quality you want, this guide will help you resolve the issue quickly.

Generation Quality Issues

Problem 1: Blurry or Low-Quality Output

Symptoms:

• Generated images appear blurry or pixelated
• Details are muddy or unclear
• Output quality is lower than expected

Solutions:

Add quality descriptors to your prompt:

high resolution, detailed, professional photography,
sharp focus, crisp details, 8K quality

Check your resolution settings: Make sure you've selected 2K or 4K output if you need high-quality images.

Improve your source image: Low-quality input produces low-quality output. Start with at least 1080p images.

Be more specific: Instead of "a cat," try "a detailed close-up portrait of a tabby cat, sharp focus, professional photography lighting."

Success Rate: 85% of blurry image issues are resolved by adding quality descriptors.

Problem 2: AI-Generated Artifacts and Glitches

Symptoms:

• Strange distortions in the image
• Unnatural blending or warping
• Odd patterns or textures where they shouldn't be

Solutions:

Simplify your prompt: Complex requests increase artifact likelihood. Break complex edits into multiple steps.

Use reference images: Provide clear reference images for the style or subject you want.

Adjust creativity settings: Lower creativity/randomness if you're getting too many artifacts.

Regenerate with slight prompt variations: Sometimes a small wording change eliminates artifacts.

Pro Tip: If artifacts appear in specific areas, use local editing to regenerate just that section rather than the entire image.

Problem 3: Inconsistent Character Appearance

Symptoms:

• Character looks different across generations
• Facial features change between images
• Body proportions vary unexpectedly

Solutions:

Use the reference image feature:

1. Generate your first character image
2. Save it as a reference
3. For all subsequent generations, upload reference + "Same character as reference image"

Be extremely specific in initial description:

Asian woman, age 30-35, shoulder-length black hair with subtle waves,
round face, warm brown eyes, slight smile, wearing navy blazer,
professional corporate style

Save your prompt: Use the exact same character description for all generations.

Use consistency mode: Enable character consistency in settings if available.

Success Rate: 95% character consistency when using reference images correctly.

Prompt Understanding Issues

Problem 4: Nano Banana Ignores Part of My Prompt

Symptoms:

• Some prompt elements don't appear in the image
• Nano Banana focuses on some aspects but ignores others

Solutions:

Prioritize key elements: Put the most important elements first in your prompt.

Use emphasis techniques:

• Repeat important elements: "red car, bright red vintage car"
• Use strong descriptors: "prominently featuring," "clearly showing"

Simplify complex prompts: If requesting 10+ elements, break into multiple generations.

Be explicit about quantities:

Bad: "people in a park"
Good: "exactly three people sitting on a park bench"

Avoid contradictions: Don't ask for "bright sunny day" and "dramatic storm clouds" in the same prompt.

Problem 5: Nano Banana Interprets My Prompt Differently Than Expected

Symptoms:

• Results don't match your mental image
• Style or mood is off
• Technical terms are misinterpreted

Solutions:

Use visual reference points:

Instead of: "retro style"
Use: "1980s aesthetic, similar to old Polaroid photos"

Add context for technical terms:

Instead of: "bokeh effect"
Use: "shallow depth of field with blurred background,
professional photography with 85mm lens effect"

Specify what you DON'T want:

Create a minimalist logo, clean lines, simple geometric shapes,
avoid: gradients, shadows, 3D effects, realistic textures

Test with simpler versions first: Start with a basic prompt, confirm it's working as expected, then add complexity.

Technical and Performance Issues

Problem 6: Slow Generation Times

Symptoms:

• Generation takes longer than the typical 5-10 seconds
• Frequent timeouts
• "Processing" status for extended periods

Solutions:

Check server status: Visit Google AI Studio status page for service interruptions.

Reduce image complexity:

• Lower resolution temporarily
• Simplify your prompt
• Reduce the number of elements in the scene

Avoid peak usage times: Try generating during off-peak hours (early morning/late evening local time).

Clear browser cache: Sometimes cached data causes slowdowns.

Switch networks: If using VPN, try direct connection or vice versa.

Problem 7: "Rate Limit Exceeded" Error

Symptoms:

• Error message: "Rate limit exceeded"
• Temporary block from generating images
• "Too many requests" notification

Solutions:

Understand your plan limits:

• Free tier: Limited generations per day
• Starter: ~200 images/month
• Pro: ~700 images/month
• Premium: ~2000 images/month

Wait and retry: Rate limits typically reset after 1-24 hours.

Batch your work: Plan your generation sessions instead of constant small requests.

Upgrade your plan: If you consistently hit limits, consider upgrading.

Use multiple accounts (carefully): For legitimate business needs, contact support about enterprise options.

Problem 8: Image Won't Upload or Is Rejected

Symptoms:

• "Invalid image format" error
• Upload fails silently
• "File too large" message

Solutions:

Check file format: Supported formats are JPG, PNG, WebP. Convert GIF, TIFF, or BMP files first.

Reduce file size:

• Maximum: Usually 10-20MB depending on your plan
• Compress images using TinyPNG or similar tools
• Resize excessively large images (>5000px is usually unnecessary)

Check image content: Images with extreme content may be rejected. Ensure compliance with content policy.

Remove metadata: Some EXIF data causes upload issues. Strip metadata before uploading.

Try different browser: Upload issues sometimes occur in specific browsers.

Editing and Refinement Issues

Problem 9: Local Editing Affects Wrong Areas

Symptoms:

• Changes apply to unintended parts of the image
• Edits "bleed" beyond selected area
• Background changes when editing foreground (or vice versa)

Solutions:

Be more precise with selection:

• Use smaller, more accurate brush strokes
• Define the area explicitly in your edit prompt

Provide contextual anchors:

Instead of: "Change shirt to blue"
Use: "Change the woman's shirt to blue, keep everything else
including the background, pants, and accessories exactly the same"

Use multiple smaller edits: Instead of one big change, make incremental adjustments.

Reference surrounding elements:

"Change only the car color to red, maintain the street,
buildings, and sky exactly as they are"

Problem 10: Edits Don't Match Original Image Style

Symptoms:

• New elements look out of place
• Lighting doesn't match
• Style inconsistency between original and edited areas

Solutions:

Match style explicitly in your edit prompt:

Change the background to a beach scene, maintaining the same
lighting direction, color temperature, and photographic style
as the original image

Reference original properties:

Add a coffee cup on the table, rendered in the same realistic
photographic style with consistent lighting and shadows

Use "seamless integration" language:

Seamlessly integrate a [new element] into the scene as if
it was photographed at the same time with the same camera

Make smaller, more subtle changes: Dramatic changes are harder to integrate naturally.

Content and Output Issues

Problem 11: Can't Generate Text in Images Clearly

Symptoms:

• Text appears garbled or misspelled
• Letters are distorted or unclear
• Text is illegible

Solutions:

Keep text under 25 characters: Nano Banana handles short text better.

Use simple fonts implicitly:

"Modern sans-serif text reading 'SALE' in bold letters"
rather than complex script fonts

Make text prominent:

Large, clear text displaying 'OPEN' in white letters
on dark background, highly legible, professional signage style

Consider adding text post-generation: For critical text, use design tools after generation.

Use all caps: ALL CAPS TEXT tends to generate more clearly than mixed case.

Success Rate: 60-70% for text under 25 characters, drops significantly for longer text.

Problem 12: Unwanted Elements Keep Appearing

Symptoms:

• Objects you didn't request appear in images
• Consistent unwanted background elements
• Random people or objects in the scene

Solutions:

Use negative prompts explicitly:

Modern kitchen interior, clean countertops, minimalist design.
Exclude: people, food, clutter, decorations, appliances on counters

Be specific about empty spaces:

Empty parking lot with exactly zero cars, clean pavement, no vehicles

Describe the absence:

Solo portrait of one person against plain backdrop,
no other people, no background distractions

Specify isolation:

Product photography of watch on white seamless background,
isolated object, nothing else in frame

Color and Lighting Issues

Problem 13: Colors Are Wrong or Oversaturated

Symptoms:

• Colors too bright or neon
• Washed out or desaturated images
• Colors don't match your vision

Solutions:

Specify color accuracy:

Realistic color palette, accurate skin tones, naturally saturated colors,
photographically accurate, no oversaturation

Use color temperature references:

Warm color grading, golden hour tones
OR
Cool color palette, blue-grey tones

Reference specific colors:

Navy blue (#1B3A6B) suit, crisp white shirt, burgundy tie

Request color correction:

Balanced exposure, professional color grading,
neutral white balance, cinema-quality color

Problem 14: Lighting Problems

Symptoms:

• Harsh shadows or no shadows
• Unnatural lighting directions
• Inconsistent light sources

Solutions:

Be specific about light source and direction:

Soft natural lighting from large window on left side,
gentle shadows, diffused light, golden hour quality

Specify shadow characteristics:

Subtle soft shadows, realistic shadow placement,
consistent light source, professionally lit

Reference photography lighting:

Three-point lighting setup, studio photography lighting,
key light from front-left, fill light from right, rim light from behind

Request lighting consistency:

Unified lighting across entire scene, single consistent light source,
realistic shadow placement

Character and Subject Issues

Problem 15: Faces Look Unnatural or "AI-Generated"

Symptoms:

• Uncanny valley effect
• Asymmetrical faces
• Odd expressions or features

Solutions:

Request authentic expressions:

Natural candid expression, genuine smile with authentic emotion,
relaxed facial features, real person photography

Specify photographic realism:

Shot with professional camera, realistic human features,
natural skin texture, authentic portrait photography

Reference real photography:

Professional headshot style, as if photographed by Annie Leibovitz,
natural lighting, authentic human appearance

Avoid AI tells:

No perfect symmetry, natural imperfections, realistic skin texture with pores,
authentic human subject, not computer-generated appearance

Problem 16: Hands and Fingers Look Wrong

Symptoms:

• Extra or missing fingers
• Distorted hand shapes
• Unnatural poses

Solutions:

Avoid hand close-ups initially: Hands are notoriously difficult for AI. Keep them small in frame or obscured when possible.

Use specific hand poses:

Hands resting naturally on lap, fingers relaxed,
OR
Hands clasped together in natural prayer position

Reference real hand positions:

Holding coffee mug with handle between thumb and fingers,
realistic hand grip, natural hand position

Generate hands separately: If critical, generate the person first, then use local editing for hands with a new detailed prompt.

Hide problematic hands:

Hands in pockets, hands behind back, hands holding objects
that obscure individual fingers

Success Tip: Currently, hands remain one of AI image generation's biggest challenges. Plan compositions that minimize hand visibility for best results.

Workflow and Efficiency Issues

Problem 17: Can't Recreate a Previous Good Result

Symptoms:

• Lost a great generation and can't reproduce it
• Variations don't match previous quality
• Can't remember exact prompt used

Solutions:

Save everything:

• Download all good results immediately
• Copy/paste prompts into a note-taking app
• Screenshot your settings

Use prompt templates:

• Create a library of successful prompts
• Note which variations worked best
• Build on proven formulas

Document your workflow:

Project: Product Photography
Base Prompt: [saved prompt]
Successful variations: [list]
Settings used: 2K, Creativity: Medium
Notes: Works best with natural lighting keywords

Use version control: Number your generations and track changes.

Problem 18: Wasting Credits on Bad Generations

Symptoms:

• Too many failed attempts
• Burning through credits quickly
• Low success rate

Solutions:

Test with lower resolution first: Perfect your prompt at 1K before generating at 4K.

Use iterative refinement:

1. Basic prompt → check composition
2. Add style details → check aesthetic
3. Add quality keywords → final generation

Start simple, add complexity:

Step 1: "Professional headshot of woman"
Step 2: Add: "30s, business attire, warm smile"
Step 3: Add: "studio lighting, grey background"
Step 4: Add quality keywords

Learn from failures: Analyze what went wrong before retrying.

Use community resources: Check #NanoBanana on X for proven prompts.

Best Practices to Avoid Common Issues

Prevention Strategy 1: Perfect Your Prompt Structure

Winning Formula:

[Main Subject] + [Action/Pose] + [Setting/Environment] +
[Lighting] + [Style] + [Quality Keywords] + [What to Avoid]

Example:
Professional businesswoman, confident pose, modern office interior,
natural window lighting, corporate photography style,
high resolution sharp focus, avoid: casual clothing, busy background

Prevention Strategy 2: Build Your Prompt Library

Create categorized templates:

Portraits:

[Age] [Gender] [Ethnicity], [Expression], [Clothing Style],
[Background Type], [Lighting], professional photography,
high quality, sharp focus

Products:

[Product] on [Surface], [Environment], [Lighting Direction],
product photography, commercial quality, clean composition,
[Resolution]

Scenes:

[Location/Setting], [Time of Day], [Weather/Atmosphere],
[Perspective], [Style Reference], cinematic quality,
detailed, professional

Prevention Strategy 3: Quality Control Checklist

Before clicking generate:

• Prompt is specific and detailed
• Quality keywords included
• Excluded unwanted elements
• Resolution setting appropriate for use case
• Have I tested similar prompts before?
• Is this the best use of my credits?

Getting Help and Support

When to Contact Support

Contact Nano Banana support if you experience:

• Repeated technical errors not covered here
• Billing or subscription issues
• Account access problems
• Suspected service outages
• Content policy questions

Community Resources

Best places for help:

• Google AI Studio Documentation
• #NanoBanana on X/Twitter
• r/GoogleGemini on Reddit
• Google AI Developer Forums

What to include when asking for help:

• Your exact prompt
• Screenshots of the issue
• Your plan level
• Browser and device info
• What you've already tried

Conclusion

Most Nano Banana 2 issues have simple solutions once you understand the underlying cause. The key patterns:

1. Be more specific - Vague prompts produce inconsistent results
2. Use reference images - Show, don't just tell
3. Iterate systematically - Change one variable at a time
4. Learn from success - Save and reuse what works
5. Start simple - Add complexity gradually

With these troubleshooting techniques, you should be able to resolve 90%+ of common issues independently.

Still having problems? Drop your question in the comments, and the community can help troubleshoot!

Updated: This guide is regularly updated as new issues and solutions are discovered. Bookmark for future reference.