How to upscale generated images on Midjourney

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Upscaling images in Midjourney is done by clicking the U1-U4 buttons below your generated image grid to select which image to upscale. The upscaled version will appear as a new message with additional options for further enhancement.

Try Midjourney Full Midjourney Review

Prerequisites

Active Midjourney subscription
Discord account connected to Midjourney
Basic understanding of Discord interface
At least one generated image in Midjourney

Step-by-Step Instructions

Generate your initial image grid

Start by creating an image using the /imagine command in any Midjourney Discord channel. Wait for the bot to generate your 4-image grid. Each image in the grid is numbered from 1-4, starting from top-left and going clockwise.

Make sure your prompt is well-crafted as upscaling will enhance both good and bad details in your image.

Identify the image to upscale

Look at the four generated images in the grid and decide which one you want to upscale. Note its position: 1 (top-left), 2 (top-right), 3 (bottom-left), or 4 (bottom-right).

Consider composition, lighting, and overall quality when selecting your image to upscale.

Click the corresponding U button

Below the image grid, you'll see a row of buttons labeled U1, U2, U3, and U4. Click the U button that corresponds to your chosen image's position. For example, click U1 for the top-left image.

Wait for the upscaling process

Midjourney will begin upscaling your selected image. You'll see a progress bar appear, and the process typically takes 30-60 seconds depending on server load. The bot will show "Upscaling image..." during this process.

Don't submit new commands while upscaling is in progress to avoid queue conflicts.

Review your upscaled image

Once complete, the upscaled image will appear as a new message. The image will be significantly larger (usually 1024x1024 or higher resolution) with enhanced details and improved quality compared to the original grid version.

Compare the upscaled version with the original to see the improvement in detail and clarity.

Use additional upscaling options if needed

Below your upscaled image, you may see additional buttons like Upscale (2x) or Upscale (4x) for further enhancement. You can also use Vary (Strong) or Vary (Subtle) to create variations of your upscaled image.

Higher upscaling levels require more processing time and may consume additional fast hours on paid plans.

Download your final image

Right-click on the upscaled image and select "Save image as..." or "Open image in new tab" to download it to your device. The image will be in high resolution and ready for use.

Save your image with a descriptive filename to easily identify it later.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

U buttons are not appearing below the image grid

Wait for the image generation to fully complete. If buttons still don't appear, try refreshing Discord or the image may have been generated with an older version that doesn't support upscaling.

Upscaling process gets stuck or fails

Check Midjourney's status page for server issues. Try the upscaling command again, or switch to a different Midjourney bot channel if you're using a community server.

Upscaled image quality is poor or distorted

This can happen with complex or low-quality original images. Try using Vary (Subtle) on the upscaled image or go back and upscale a different image from your original grid.

Running out of fast hours during upscaling

Upscaling consumes fast hours on paid plans. Monitor your usage in Settings or consider upgrading your plan. You can also wait for fast hours to reset or use relax mode if available on your plan.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Midjourney website before purchasing.

Visit Midjourney View Midjourney Pricing