How to Fix “Thumbnails Not Showing” issue on Windows 11/10

How to Fix “Thumbnails Not Showing” issue on Windows 11/10? In most cases, this issue arises when you accidentally disable thumbnails and instruct your device to display icons at all times. Changing the view style, running out of disc space, problems with File Explorer, interference from third-party applications, and the thumbnail cache are some of the other potential causes. Making the icon size too small is another possible cause.

It is true that thumbnails can be useful; however, a significant number of users have reported that the thumbnail previews do not appear for them in Windows. It is possible for this issue to occur on any operating system; however, a significant number of Windows 11 users have reported that folder thumbnails do not appear. Today, we will demonstrate how to Fix “Thumbnails Not Showing” issue on Windows 11/10 computer.

Causes of the “Thumbnails Not Showing” issue on Windows 11/10

1. System File Corruption: System files required for generating thumbnails may be corrupted or damaged.
2. Disk Errors: Errors on the disk where the thumbnails are stored can lead to issues with thumbnail generation.
3. Incorrect Folder Settings: Folder settings or options related to displaying thumbnails may be misconfigured.
4. Outdated or Faulty Graphics Drivers: Graphics drivers that are outdated or malfunctioning can cause problems with thumbnail rendering.
5. Third-party Software Interference: Third-party applications or shell extensions may conflict with the thumbnail generation process.
6. Insufficient System Resources: Low system resources, such as RAM or CPU power, may result in thumbnails not being generated properly.
7. Disk Space Limitations: Insufficient disk space on the drive containing the files for which thumbnails are not showing can cause this issue.
8. Permission Issues: Restricted permissions on folders or files can prevent the operating system from generating thumbnails.

How to Fix “Thumbnails Not Showing” issue on Windows 11/10

Check Folder Settings

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder where thumbnails are not showing.
3. Click on the “View” tab at the top of the File Explorer window.
4. In the “Layout” group, click on “Options” and then select “Change folder and search options.”
5. In the Folder Options window, go to the “View” tab.
6. Make sure that the option “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked.
7. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Clear Thumbnail Cache

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cleanmgr and press Enter.
3. Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually **C:**).
4. Click on “OK.”
5. Check the box next to “Thumbnails” and any other items you want to delete.
6. Click on “OK” and then “Delete Files” to confirm.

Adjust Performance Settings

1. Right-click on This PC or My Computer and select “Properties.”
2. Click on “Advanced system settings” in the left sidebar.
3. In the System Properties window, go to the “Advanced” tab.
4. Under the “Performance” section, click on “Settings.”
5. Make sure that the option “Show thumbnails instead of icons” is checked.
6. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Update Graphics Drivers

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Device Manager.”
2. Expand the “Display adapters” category.
3. Right-click on your graphics card and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.“
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

Check Disk for Errors

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the drive where Windows is installed (usually **C:**) and select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Tools” tab.
4. Click on “Check” under the Error-checking section.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan and repair disk errors.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. Let the scan complete.
3. Once done, type “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” and press Enter.
4. Restart your computer after both processes are complete.

Conclusion

Many users find that viewing thumbnails rather than icons is more convenient when navigating through the File Explorer. There are times, however, when your system simply does not display thumbnails, which can be a very frustrating experience. At first glance, thumbnails appear to be more useful than icons because they provide you with a brief preview of your files without requiring you to open them. This is an issue that occurs frequently and can be triggered by a variety of factors.

Questions and Answers