3 Ways to Remove JPEG Artifacts: Online, AI-Driven, Free
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JPEG artifacts are a common issue that arises when images are compressed to reduce file size, often resulting in blocky pixels, blurring, or unnatural color shifts that can make photos look low-quality and unappealing. Unfortunately, compression is everywhere in our digital world. From the selfies we send on Instagram to the happy moments we share on Facebook, X, social media platforms automatically compress our images. Even worse, those stunning vacation photos you downloaded from a travel blog or the adorable puppy pictures you found on Pinterest and even footage stock sites are likely compressed to save bandwidth and speed up loading times. Now what if you're trying to preserve precious memories or create a stunning visual for your blog, only to find your images riddled with these unsightly JPEG artifacts? Not fret! The good news is that removing JPEG artifacts can be as easy as walking in the park. So, if you're tired of your digital memories looking like they've been put through a pixelated wringer, read on to discover how you can restore image clarity instantly.
What Are JPEG Artifacts
JPEG artifacts are visual distortions that occur when images are compressed using the JPEG format. JPEG compression works by selectively discarding certain image data, such as fine details and subtle color variations, that are less perceptible to the human eye. For instance, small color gradients or textures that don't significantly impact the overall image appearance may be removed. This process leads to noticeable imperfections that often manifest as blocky pixels, blurry edges, or color shifts, particularly in areas with high contrast.
The most common types of JPEG artifacts include "blocking", which appears as square-shaped patches in the image, and "ringing" or "haloing", where bright or dark edges create an unnatural glow around objects. These artifacts become more pronounced when you zoom in or view the image at a larger size.
3 Methods to Remove JPEG Compression Artifacts
When it comes to removing JPEG artifacts, there are two main approaches: traditional methods, like those found in Photoshop, and newer AI-powered JPEG compression artifact removers. Let's take a look at 3 of the best ways to fix JPEG artifacts and restore clarity and crispness to your images.
Method 1. Remove JPEG Artifacts with Aiarty Image Enhancer
Aiarty Image Enhancer leverages AI technology to automatically detect and remove unwanted noise, blurriness, pixel blocks, and JPEG artifacts with a single click. It uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the image, making intelligent decisions about which parts need improvement while keeping the overall look natural. Plus, it's optimized for average computers and supports bulk processing, ensuring you can fix JPEG artifacts for a pile of images and photos fast at once.
- 0 Learning curve! Simply upload your images, and the AI takes care of the rest.
- Auto-fix imperfections like motion blur, noise, and compression artifacts with AI.
- Upscale images to 10K/16K while keeping or generating realistic details and texture.
- Built-in face restoration feature to retouch and enhance any face in your images.
- 5 Gen-AI models, 6.78 million images trained, optimized for NVidia/AMD/Intel/CPU.
- Fast, efficient, and stable. Enjoy the latest AI technology that prevents RAM spikes.
Step 1. Import Your Images
Download, install, and run Aiarty Image Enhancer. Drag the source image files for loading to the program.
Step 2. Choose an AI model
Navigate to the right section and select one of the 5 AI models based on your needs. In my case, I chose Detail GAN v3, which works amazingly well with images that have intricate details. For a deeper comparison of the 5 AI models, you can refer to the official guide.
Step 3. Choose the Target Resolution
Pick your desired output resolution. For this example, I opted to keep it at the original resolution. If you want to upscale your image to higher resolutions like 4K, 8K, or 10K, select the specific resolution or the upscaling ratio you need.
Step 4. Export the Images
For even richer images, enable 2-Pass Processing and choose More-Detail GAN v3 or AIGCsmooth v3 for an extra round of AI-enhanced image processing. When you're ready, click Single Export to export the image with JPEG compression artifacts removed. If you're processing multiple images at once, click Batch Export to export them all simultaneously.
My Thoughts After Trying This Method
The processing speed is incredible fast – it removes JPEG compression artifacts from 100 images in just minutes on my AMD Radeon RX7600 computer. The outcome looks clear without distracting noise or JPEG artifacts. The spots on the cheeks, the lines on the lips, the shadows next to the hair, and even the details in the eyeballs are all perfectly preserved and restored.
Method 2. Remove JPEG Artifacts with Photoshop
While there are faster and simpler methods out there, Photoshop is still one of the most powerful tools for removing JPEG artifacts. The downside is that it offers a lot of control, which can make the process more complicated and time-consuming. Plus, Photoshop can be quite resource-hungry, so if your system isn't up to the task, you might experience performance issues like 100% CPU usage or even freezing. And let's not forget the price—USD 20.99 a month can be a tough pill to swallow for some.
Step 1. Visit the Adobe Creative Cloud website and go to the Photoshop subscription page. Choose a plan that fits your needs. Create a new account or sign in to an existing one, then enter your payment details to complete the purchase.
Step 2. After purchasing, download Photoshop to your computer. Double-click the downloaded file to launch the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Step 3. Press Ctrl + F on your keyboard to open the Discover panel. Under the Quick Actions section, find the JPEG Artifacts Removal filter. Click the Download button to add it to your workspace.
Step 4. Once downloaded, click the Apply button to start removing the JPEG compression artifacts from your image.
Step 5. After the task is complete, go to File > Export and select Export As. Here, you can choose the desired output format (JPG, PNG, etc.), set the quality level (higher quality results in better images, though larger file sizes), and adjust other parameters. It's best to choose a higher-quality setting to avoid introducing new JPEG compression artifacts.
My Thoughts After Trying This Method
The processing speed is pretty slow – it took me over 20 minutes to remove JPEG artifacts from just one image. I'm not sure where the problem lies, but I found some Reddit users mentioning that it might be due to the cloud-based nature of the process. Another annoying issue is that it adds some noise to the output, which can be a bit frustrating.
Method 3. Remove JPEG Artifacts Online with OpenArt Ultimate Upscale
If you're looking for a fast and convenient way to remove JPEG artifacts without needing to download any software, OpenArt's Ultimate Upscale offers an excellent online solution. It's designed not only to upscale images but also to fix common issues like compression artifacts, blurriness, and other imperfections. However, while it's labeled as free, there's a catch: it limits you to using trial credits for premium features over a 7-day period. After that, the premium plan costs between USD 14 to USD 56 per month, which can feel a bit on the pricier side.
Step 1. Go to the official site of OpenArt. Sign up using your Gmail or phone number, and log in to your account.
Step 2. Once logged in, go to the Apps section and find the Ultimate Upscale. Click the Run button to launch this online JPEG artifacts remover.
Step 3. Drag and drop your image into the upload section. You'll be presented with three upscale model options: Precise Upscale, Refined Upscale, and Creative Upscale. For the best results, it's recommended to choose Precise Upscale, unless you want the AI to alter more of the image's details.
Step 4. The upscaling process may take a few minutes. Once it's finished, you can click on the thumbnail to preview the result. Use the slider to compare the before and after effects.
Step 5. Explore the toolkit at the top to add some fun effects. For instance, you can modify specific parts of the image, transform it into animation-style art, and experiment with other creative options.
Step 6. When you're happy with the result, click Download As and select your desired image format, such as JPG or PNG, to start downloading your enhanced image.
My Thoughts After Trying This Method
The JPEG compression artifacts are effectively removed, and the overall image quality is noticeably improved. However, upon closer inspection, you may still notice some subtle changes in the details. For instance, the mole on her face becomes lighter and almost disappears. Thus, if you appreciate the soft, almost imperceptible beauty effect that this JPEG artifacts remover adds, you might enjoy using it. However, if maintaining the original details is important to you, Aiarty Image Enhancer might be a better option, as it does a more precise job of preserving natural features.
Remove JPEG Artifacts: Traditional or AI Solution
The traditional method of removing JPEG artifacts typically involves manual editing using specialized tools in software like Photoshop. For instance, Photoshop offers the "Noise Reduction" filter and the "Healing Brush Tool", which can help reduce the appearance of blocking and color shifts. While these methods are effective, they can be time-consuming and require a bit of expertise. You'll need to tweak settings carefully, often using layers, to minimize artifacts without compromising the overall quality. Though Photoshop released a JPEG artifact filter to simplify the process, the outcome often falls short, and the processing speed can be slow.
On the other hand, AI-powered JPEG artifact removers have become popular for their ease of use and efficiency. Take Aiarty Image Enhancer, for example - it's a great showcase of how AI can handle JPEG artifact removal. It uses deep learning algorithms to identify and remove out blocky pixels, color distortions, blurry edges, and other imperfections caused by compression, low light, camera shake, etc. What's even better, it can process multiple images at once, making it ideal for quickly cleaning up large batches.
Download and try Aiarty Image Enhancer to remove JPEG compression artifacts in a click!
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Brenda Peng is a seasoned editor at Digiarty Software who loves turning ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. With years of experience behind the lens and in front of the computer, Brenda shares her passion for photography, image enhancement, and editing through easy-to-follow tutorials.
