Animated gifs becoming static webp inages

Have you tried changing the extension to .gif and see if they will animate?

Give us the URL for one of the problem sites.

Also noot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to nearly twice as long as a normal boot as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

i used this thread as a learning device. i have never saved (or posted) a gif before. i've noticed that if i "save as.." like dialabrain said and save it to my desktop and open it from there, it appears as a still image. but once i move it to "Photos" (for instance), it then becomes a moving image. and now i'll try to post one here from my desktop using the image insertion button.

yep, it works.

hello again, i just found that if you're not running safari in full screen, you don't need to "control+click" and "Save Image As..." . you can simply drag the gif from the safari window and drag it to a location of your choosing. (desktop for this example)

you're right. you did. but i tried both of your tips within the finder window. i didn't try QuickLook from the desktop until i saw Old Toad's suggestion. :) my statement still stands. you guys (plural) are awesome!

My guess is you are downloading the webp file from a site rather than the gif. Nothing has changed.

You can git the animated gifs to activate with QuickLook, i.e. select the gif and hit the Space bar. Here's an animated gif of an animated gif:

What sites?

Here's a Google GIF Search

Click on any of the GIFs, control click on the enlarged version and choose "Save Image…".

No problems here either.

You need to tell us more - tell us one specific site you are seeing this on; what browser?

FWIW, with a GIF saved to the Desktop, if you click on Desktop in the Finder sidebar it will show the animation. Also if you open it with Quick Look (select the file and press the space bar)

thanks for the tip dialabrain! that works too. i love learning new things. :)

thanks Old Toad! another great tip. you guys are awesome!

Wait! I did both tips!!! lol