Fix Broken SharePoint List Image Links in Edge and Chrome
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where images in a SharePoint List display correctly in Teams and the mobile app but appear as broken links when viewed in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing SharePoint Lists containing image columns or attachments in web browsers.
- Observed behavior
- Image files are not being properly saved to Site Assets and instead contain local or symbolic links, causing them to appear broken in Edge and Chrome for multiple users.
Ensure you have edit permissions for the affected SharePoint List and access to the Site Contents and Site Assets library to verify file uploads.
Verify and Re-upload Images to Site Assets
Manually re-upload the images to ensure they are physically stored in SharePoint rather than linking to a local directory.
This issue frequently occurs when an image retains a symbolic link to a local computer instead of being fully uploaded to SharePoint. If the local image is deleted or inaccessible by the browser, the SharePoint image becomes broken.
Navigate to your SharePoint List in Edge or Chrome, select the item with the broken image, and click 'Edit'.
Delete the existing broken image from the image column or attachment section.
Click to add an image and choose the option to upload the file directly from your computer. This forces SharePoint to save the file to the Site Assets library.
Save the list item and refresh the browser to confirm the image now renders correctly.
Escalate Known Browser Bugs to Microsoft Support
If the issue affects multiple users across Edge and Chrome and persists despite correct upload methods, escalate the problem to Microsoft.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do SharePoint list images show up in Teams but break in Chrome?
Microsoft Teams and the mobile app cache and handle image paths differently than standard web browsers. If an image is stored as a local symbolic link rather than hosted on the SharePoint server, web browsers like Chrome and Edge will block it or fail to load it due to security restrictions, resulting in a broken link.
How do I know if an image is a local link instead of an uploaded file?
Right-click the broken image icon in Chrome or Edge and select 'Inspect' or 'Copy image address'. If the URL points to a local directory (such as C:\Users\...) rather than your SharePoint domain URL, the image was not properly uploaded to the server.
Where should SharePoint list images be saved automatically?
When you upload an image directly to a SharePoint list, the file should automatically be stored in the site's 'Site Assets' library, typically within a specific folder created for that list.
Can clearing my browser cache fix this SharePoint image issue?
If the images are properly uploaded to Site Assets but still appear broken, clearing the browser cache and cookies in Edge or Chrome might help resolve display glitches. However, if the image is actually a local link, clearing the cache will not fix the broken image.




