Why can't I use --version and --niji in Midjourney?

Niji Mode is a standalone diffusion model that is separate from the numbered versions of Midjourney (e.g. v4 or v5). Since you cannot use 2 algorithms at the same time, these parameters are incompatible with each other and Midjourney will return an error: "--version is not compatible with".

How do I use version 5 of Miji Mode in Midjourney?

Many people incorrectly assume that in order to use Niji 5 they must enter --v 5 --niji . However, this does not work because Niji Mode uses an entirely separate diffusion model. To use Niji 5 you must enter --niji 5 and not use the --version parameter at all.

[SOLVED] Midjourney: "--version is not compatible"

Is Midjourney giving you an error when using the –version parameter?

With the continuous release of new versions of Midjourney, more and more people are running into the “--version is not compatible with” error.

It’s left a lot of users confused because they don’t really understand why a particular version of Midjourney isn’t compatible with a simple parameter.

In this guide, I’ll show you in which situations you are likely to run into this problem, why it’s occurring, and how you can fix it.

Let’s dive right in.

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How to Fix “–version is not compatible” in Midjourney

Infographic showing the common Midjourney error "--version is not compatible with". — Infographic showing the common Midjourney error “–version is not compatible with”.

Obviously, this isn’t the only error you might encounter in Midjourney.

In fact, I’m sure you’ve run into all sorts of different situations where Midjourney, and Discord for that matter, have been close to driving you insane.

The bad news is that you and I have no control over their servers and therefore can’t really do much if they go offline for whatever reason.

The good news is that the “--version is not compatible with” error has absolutely nothing to do with servers.

There isn’t even anything particularly wrong with the syntax of your prompt.

The reason you’re seeing getting this error is simply that you are asking Midjourney to use 2 different algorithms at the same time.

The most common cases in which you’ll encounter the “–version is not compatible with” errors are:

You are trying to invoke a newer algorithm (e.g. --v 4, --v 5, or --v 5.1) in combination with the --niji parameter.
You are trying to use the very same algorithms in combination with the experimental parameters --test or --testp.
A similar case is when you try to use --test or --testp in combination with --niji.

So why doesn’t this work?

Well, you might not be aware of this (and to be fair, it’s not very obvious), Niji Mode is a standalone model.

In other words, Niji Mode isn’t just a mode that you activate in any given version of Midjourney.

It’s a full standalone algorithm in its own right.

Here are 2 examples of what would work:

/imagine a Japanese girl standing in the street --v 5
/imagine a Japanese girl standing in the street --niji 5

You can use them separately, but not in combination.

Once again, Midjourney hasn’t done a very good job of explaining all this.

The same applies to the old experimental --test and --testp algorithms, where you’ll encounter the exact same “–version is not compatible with” errors.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can and cannot do:

--test and --testp CAN only be used in combination with Midjourney v1-3, but not with later versions.
--version 4/5/5.1 CANNOT be used with --niji.
--niji CANNOT be used with --version 4/5/5.1.
--niji CAN accept a numeric value to invoke a version 5 of Niji Mode (--niji 5).

So, it’s important to understand that Midjourney v5 and Niji v5 are two separate algorithms.

One thing that v4/5/5.1 and Niji Mode have in common, though, is the fact that they support preset styles.

To learn more about the difference between stylization and preset styles, check out my dedicated guide on Midjourney’s style settings.

Key Points (tl;dr)

Niji Mode uses a diffusion model that is entirely separate from Midjourney’s regular numbered versions.
You cannot use the --version parameter in combination with --niji, because you are asking Midjourney to use 2 different algorithms.
Every time you try to combine 2 different algorithms, you will receive the “–version is not compatible with” error.
In order to use Niji 5, you must enter --niji 5 instead.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Before we close off this guide, let’s quickly address some of the most common questions related to the Midjourney error “–version is not compatible with“.

Why can’t I use –version and –niji in Midjourney?

Niji Mode is a standalone diffusion model that is separate from the numbered versions of Midjourney (e.g. v4 or v5). Since you cannot use 2 algorithms at the same time, these parameters are incompatible with each other and Midjourney will return an error: “–version is not compatible with”.
How do I use version 5 of Miji Mode in Midjourney?

Many people incorrectly assume that in order to use Niji 5 they must enter --v 5 --niji. However, this does not work because Niji Mode uses an entirely separate diffusion model. To use Niji 5 you must enter --niji 5 and not use the –version parameter at all.

Conclusion

Midjourney’s syntax and command structure can sometimes be confusing, especially since the official documentation usually lags behind quite a bit or is poorly worded.

The key thing you need to understand is that Niji Mode or other experimental algorithms are usually entirely separate from the regular numbered versions of Midjourney.

Therefore, they simply cannot be used in combination and you must choose either or.

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[SOLVED] Midjourney: “–version is not compatible”