Midjourney Ignoring Parameters: How to Fix Syntax Errors
Updated 10/3/2026
When Midjourney ignores parameters like --ar (aspect ratio), --no (negative prompting), --chaos, or --v (model version), it usually defaults to a standard square 1:1 image or the default active model. This behavior is rarely a random system bug; instead, it is almost always caused by strict formatting rules, hidden characters, or parameter conflicts.
If Midjourney is rendering your images but completely ignoring your formatting commands, follow these troubleshooting steps to correct your prompt syntax.
1. Disable Smart Punctuation on Mobile and Mac The most common cause of ignored parameters is "Smart Punctuation." Mobile operating systems (iOS and Android) and macOS automatically convert two consecutive hyphens (`--`) into a single em dash (`—`).
Midjourney's parser does not recognize em dashes. If your prompt contains —ar 16:9 instead of --ar 16:9, the bot treats the em dash and the letters as standard text prompts rather than a system command.
How to fix: 1. Go to your device's keyboard settings. 2. Locate the Smart Punctuation or Auto-Correction setting and toggle it off. 3. Alternatively, copy a working double hyphen (--) from another source and paste it directly into your Discord chat box, or use the web editor which is less prone to auto-correction.
2. Move All Parameters to the Very End Midjourney reads prompts from left to right. All parameters (any command starting with a double hyphen) must be placed at the absolute end of the prompt, after all text descriptions and image URLs. If you insert a parameter in the middle of a text description, the parser will ignore it.
- Incorrect: /imagine a realistic cat --ar 16:9 sitting on a blue rug
- Correct: /imagine a realistic cat sitting on a blue rug --ar 16:9
Ensure there are no text words, punctuation marks, or stray characters following your final parameter.
3. Correct Your Spacing and Separators Midjourney's parser requires exact spacing to recognize where a text prompt ends and a parameter begins.
- Space before the parameter: There must be a space before the double hyphen.
- *Incorrect:* a cat on a rug--ar 16:9
- *Correct:* a cat on a rug --ar 16:9
- Space after the parameter name: There must be a space between the parameter and its value.
- *Incorrect:* a cat on a rug --ar16:9
- *Correct:* a cat on a rug --ar 16:9
- Correct separator values: Ensure you are using colons for aspect ratios, not slashes or spaces.
- *Incorrect:* --ar 16/9 or --ar 16 9
- *Correct:* --ar 16:9
4. Check Version and Parameter Compatibility Not all parameters work across all Midjourney model versions. If you force an older model version or try to use a modern parameter with a legacy engine, the bot will silently ignore the incompatible commands.
- Tile parameter: --tile works in V1, V2, V3, V5, V5.1, V5.2, and V6. It may fail if used with incompatible style models.
- Aspect ratios: Extreme aspect ratios (greater than 2:1 or 1:2) may be ignored or automatically rounded if you are using older model versions (V4 and earlier).
- Niji models: Certain parameters behave differently or are unsupported when using the --niji anime models.
Verify your current active model by typing /settings in Discord and checking which version is highlighted. Adjust your parameters to match that version's specifications.
5. Clear Hidden Suffixes and Reset Settings If you have previously configured a default suffix using the `/prefer suffix` command, Midjourney automatically appends those parameters to every prompt you write. If your manual prompt parameters conflict with your saved suffix parameters, the parser can glitch and ignore both.
How to fix: 1. Type /prefer suffix in the Discord message box and press Enter without adding any values. This clears all active suffixes. 2. Type /settings and ensure no conflicting toggles (like a forced stylized value or raw mode) are overriding your manual prompt inputs.