Visual Studio Code – OpenCV won't read the image even though the path is correct, string appears empty (imread_(''): can't open/read file: check file path/integrity)

I’m trying to learn opencv in c++ as i will be required to use it very soon. The problem i’m facing is exactly as the title says: opencv won’t open (cv::imread()) any image even though the path is correct.

When i use cv::imread(path) i get the error

[ WARN:[email protected]] global loadsave.cpp:241 cv::findDecoder imread_(''): can't open/read file: check file path/integrity

I have tried using /, //, \\ \. I tried using the absolute path and the relative path. I also have tried opening different images in different folders and in differents disks as well (c:/ and d:/). I also have tried updating my opencv installation.

I’m now using OpenCV 4.10 and am using Visual Studio 2022.

This is the code i am trying to run:

#pragma once
#include <opencv2/opencv.hpp>
#include <iostream>
#include <filesystem>
#include <windows.h>
#include <shobjidl.h>

int main() {

    cv::String filepath("D:/repos/faculdade/dataset/AnaCedran60dias.jpg");

    cv::Mat cvimg = cv::imread(filepath, 0);

    std::cout << "Path:n" << filepath << std::endl;

    if(cvimg.empty())
        std::cout << "img wasnt read" << std::endl;
    
    cv::waitKey(0);
}