Thumbnails Not Displaying for Images and Videos on Windows 10

Thumbnails for images and videos in Windows 10 File Explorer make it easier to navigate through files and quickly find what you need. However, sometimes thumbnails fail to display, showing only file icons instead. Here, we’ll cover the main reasons for this issue and ways to resolve it.

Possible Causes for Missing Thumbnails

  • File Explorer Settings: Thumbnail previews may be turned off in Windows Explorer settings.
  • Corrupted Thumbnail Cache: Thumbnails might not display if the thumbnail cache is corrupted.
  • System Errors: Windows errors, like file system issues or damaged system files, can also lead to missing thumbnails.
  • Outdated Updates: The issue might be related to an outdated version of Windows that requires updating.

Fixing Thumbnail Display Issues in Windows 10

1. Check File Explorer Settings

Open File Explorer and follow these steps:

  1. Go to the “File” menu and select “Options”.
  2. In the window that opens, go to the “View” tab.
  3. Ensure that the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option is not checked. If it is, uncheck it and click “OK.”

2. Clear Thumbnail Cache

Clearing the cache can help restore thumbnail previews. To do this:

  1. Open Windows Settings, select “System”, then “Storage”.
  2. Select drive C: and click on “Temporary files.”
  3. Check “Thumbnails” and click “Remove files.”

3. Run System File Checker (SFC)

To verify the integrity of system files, use the SFC (System File Checker) command:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click the Start button and choose “Command Prompt (Admin)”).
  2. Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete, then restart your computer.

4. Update Windows

Updating your system may resolve thumbnail issues:

  1. Go to Settings and select “Update & Security.”
  2. In the “Windows Update” section, click “Check for updates.”
  3. Install any available updates and restart your device.