diff --git a/src/admin/api.js b/src/admin/api.js
index a7cc946..e99dc25 100644
--- a/src/admin/api.js
+++ b/src/admin/api.js
@@ -79,8 +79,18 @@ export const adminApi = {
     apiFetch('/api/auth/password', { method: 'PUT', body: JSON.stringify({ currentPassword, newPassword }) }),
 
   upload: async (file) => {
-    const form = new FormData();
-    form.append('file', file);
-    return apiFetch('/api/upload', { method: 'POST', body: form });
+    // Try Node API first; fall back to local data URL when server is unavailable.
+    try {
+      const form = new FormData();
+      form.append('file', file);
+      return await apiFetch('/api/upload', { method: 'POST', body: form });
+    } catch {
+      return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
+        const reader = new FileReader();
+        reader.onload = () => resolve({ url: reader.result, filename: file.name });
+        reader.onerror = () => reject(new Error('Failed to read file'));
+        reader.readAsDataURL(file);
+      });
+    }
   },
 };