OneDrive File Issues

Fix OneDrive Not Displaying Previews or Thumbnails for RAW Photos

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user uploaded a large library of RAW photos to OneDrive but cannot see accurate thumbnails or high-quality previews across multiple Apple devices and web browsers.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: macOS, iOS, iPadOS
Scenario: Accessing and managing RAW photos synced to OneDrive across different devices and platforms.
Observed behavior: Many RAW files display as gray squares or generic image icons. Previews occasionally appear but are in poor quality, whereas the files display perfectly when downloaded locally.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable and ensure your OneDrive app or browser is updated to the latest version before attempting to load large photo libraries.

Solution 1

Verify File Size Limitations for Thumbnails

Check if your RAW files exceed OneDrive's built-in file size limits for generating online image thumbnails.

While Microsoft OneDrive supports online previews for many RAW camera formats, the service has a strict size limit for generating thumbnail graphics. Thumbnails are generally not provided for individual files larger than 100 MB.

Check file size

Right-click your RAW file in the OneDrive web interface or file explorer and select 'Details' or 'Properties'.

Confirm against limits

Look at the file size. If it is under 100 MB (e.g., 10 MB to 20 MB) and still displays a gray square, the problem is not related to the file size limit.

Solution 2Recommended

Report the Service Issue via the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Since this is often a known service-side rendering bug for smaller RAW files, escalating the issue to Microsoft engineers is the best course of action.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

While you wait for Microsoft to resolve OneDrive's RAW photo preview issues, you can enhance your daily productivity with WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative to Microsoft Office, offering full compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installer for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installation file and launch the application once complete.
3. Open Your Files: Sign in and immediately start opening, editing, and syncing your MS Office documents seamlessly.

100% compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Free, lightweight, and easy to install on multiple devicesFamiliar user interface for seamless migration from MS OfficeBuilt-in cloud syncing for documents across PC, Mac, and mobile

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my OneDrive pictures showing as gray boxes?

This usually happens if the image format is unsupported, the file exceeds the 100 MB thumbnail generation limit, or there is a temporary syncing/rendering issue with the OneDrive servers.

Which RAW photo formats does OneDrive support for previews?

OneDrive supports online previews for many common RAW formats from major camera manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, and Sony. However, newer or niche RAW formats may lack preview support until Microsoft updates its viewing engine.

Is there a workaround to view RAW files if OneDrive previews fail?

Yes, you can download the RAW files directly to your device. Once downloaded locally, your device's native photo viewer (like macOS Preview or Windows Photos) can render the high-quality RAW image correctly.

How long does it take for Microsoft to fix a reported OneDrive bug?

Service-side bug fixes vary greatly depending on issue priority and complexity. Some user-reported bugs, like specific RAW preview failures, can remain unresolved for several months while engineering works on a patch.

Document & File Issues