Title

Custom GPT stopped generating images and returned /mnt/data file paths instead

Post

I have a custom GPT that I use for marketing content and image generation. It used to generate images normally, but recently it began creating PNG files and responding with internal file paths such as:

/mnt/data/image_name.png

The path was not clickable, and the image did not appear in the conversation.

After troubleshooting using ChatGPT, I found the problem was a conflict in my GPT instructions. The instructions were to preserve uploaded logos and other brand assets exactly, and I also allowed it to use code for precise placement of those assets.

When I requested an image that included an uploaded logo, the GPT interpreted the task as file compositing. It used Code Interpreter or another file creation method instead of the built in Image Generation capability. It then returned the internal file path rather than displaying the image.

I was able to fix it by replacing the image instructions with explicit routing rules (also with the help of ChatGPT):

For every request to create, generate, design, draw, visualize, or edit an image, always use the built in Image Generation capability.

Never use Code Interpreter, Data Analysis, Python, HTML, SVG, or another file creation method to make or assemble an image unless the user explicitly asks for a code based graphic.

Do not answer an image request with a prompt, description, code, filename, raw path, temporary path, internal path, or sandbox path. The finished image must appear directly in the conversation.

Once that was done, the image generation started working again.

I’m sharing this because it seems to be a reasonably common issue and I’m hoping it can save someone else a lot of headache