SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint People Column Not Displaying Names or Images

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users report that the People column in all SharePoint lists suddenly stopped showing user names and profile pictures.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing SharePoint lists that utilize a People column for user identification.
Observed behavior: User names and profile images are missing from the People column across all SharePoint lists, appearing entirely blank.

Before you start

Verify with a colleague if they are experiencing the exact same issue on their device to determine if the problem is localized to your browser or a broader service issue.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Browser Cache or Use Incognito Mode

Test the SharePoint list in a private browsing window to rule out corrupted browser cache or credential conflicts.

Often, outdated browser cache or conflicting login credentials can prevent dynamic elements like the SharePoint People column from loading data properly.

Open a Private Window

Launch a new InPrivate window (if using Microsoft Edge) or an Incognito window (if using Google Chrome).

Log into SharePoint

Navigate to your SharePoint site and log in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.

Check the List

Open the affected SharePoint list and observe if the People column displays names and images correctly.

Clear Browser Data

If the details display correctly in the private window, return to your standard browser, clear your cache and cookies, and restart the browser.

Solution 2

Escalate to Microsoft 365 Administrator

If browser troubleshooting fails, the issue is likely service-related and requires administrator intervention to investigate.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Enhance Team Collaboration with WPS Office

While troubleshooting complex SharePoint and Microsoft 365 network issues, consider WPS Office as a lightweight, reliable, and completely free alternative for your daily document creation and team collaboration needs.

1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Sign In for Cloud Access: Create a free account or log in to seamlessly back up and sync your documents across devices.
3. Open and Edit Files: Open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents directly in WPS Office and start editing immediately.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation that runs fast and smoothly on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Familiar and user-friendly interface requires zero learning curve for quick adoption.Built-in robust cloud collaboration features to keep your team working without interruption.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint profile pictures sometimes disappear?

Profile pictures may disappear due to localized browser caching issues, synchronization delays between Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and SharePoint, or backend service disruptions in Microsoft 365.

What is a HAR log and why does Microsoft support need it?

A HAR (HTTP Archive) log records the network communication between your web browser and a website. Support teams use these logs to pinpoint failing API calls or network blocks that prevent profile names and images from rendering.

Can I manually force a profile picture sync in SharePoint?

Standard users cannot manually force a sync. However, Microsoft 365 administrators can utilize PowerShell scripts or check the User Profile service application in the SharePoint admin center to resolve synchronization discrepancies.

Document & File Issues