SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix Black Screen When Editing JPG Images in SharePoint

Jason Miller Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter a black screen when trying to edit JPG images natively within SharePoint or Microsoft Teams picture libraries.

How to Fix a Black Screen When Editing JPG Images in SharePoint

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to use the built-in 'Edit' feature on a JPG image stored in a SharePoint site or Teams library to make annotations or adjustments.
Observed behavior: The JPG image previews correctly, but turns into a solid black screen upon entering the Edit interface. Saving the file results in a permanently black square.

Before you start

Before proceeding, ensure your web browser is fully updated and try clearing your browser cache and cookies, as this can occasionally resolve temporary web display glitches.

Solution 1Recommended

Isolate the Issue with Basic Troubleshooting

Test different files and locations to determine if the issue is isolated to a specific image file, a corrupted library, or a wider system failure.

Often, SharePoint issues can be tied to a specific corrupted file or a localized problem within a single site collection. Isolating the problem is the first step.

Test another JPG file

Upload a completely different JPG image to the same SharePoint picture library and attempt to edit it to see if the issue is file-specific.

Re-upload the image

Delete the problematic image and upload a fresh, unedited copy from your local computer to rule out corruption during the initial upload.

Try a different SharePoint site

Navigate to an entirely different SharePoint site or Microsoft Teams library, upload an image, and test the Edit feature there.

Isolate the Issue with Basic Troubleshooting

Note on Browser Testing: Since this issue has been reported across multiple browsers, switching from Chrome to Edge or Firefox might not resolve the black screen, but it is still a helpful diagnostic step.

Solution 2

Report to Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the problem affects all users and all images, it is likely a backend Microsoft service degradation that requires administrator intervention.

Solution 3

Edit Images Locally as a Workaround

Bypass the faulty SharePoint online editor entirely by editing your images on your local computer before uploading them to the cloud.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Reliable Document and Media Handling

If you frequently encounter service outages or glitches with cloud-based platforms like SharePoint, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, offline-capable desktop environment that handles your documents and inserted images flawlessly without relying on online editing services.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the download button for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
3. Edit documents seamlessly: Open your files directly from your local drive and enjoy fast, reliable editing for both text and images.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Stable local editing that does not rely on cloud server uptime or internet connectivity.Built-in media handling tools to crop, compress, and edit images within your documents.Lightweight, free to use, and features a familiar user interface for a seamless transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my JPG turn into a black square when saving in SharePoint?

This is typically caused by a backend glitch in the SharePoint image-editing service where the editing canvas fails to properly render the image data. When you hit save, it saves the default empty black background instead of your photo.

Does this SharePoint black screen issue only happen in Google Chrome?

No, multiple users have reported experiencing this exact issue across various web browsers (including Edge and Firefox), indicating that it is a server-side Microsoft issue rather than a browser-specific glitch.

Can I fix the SharePoint 'Edit' picture feature myself?

If standard troubleshooting like clearing your browser cache, re-uploading the file, or using a different SharePoint site doesn't work, you cannot resolve the underlying service issue yourself. You will need your Microsoft 365 administrator to report the incident to Microsoft.

Are PNG images also affected by this SharePoint issue?

While the issue is most commonly reported with JPG files, service degradations can sometimes affect other image formats like PNG. Testing a different file format is an excellent way to check the scope of the problem.

Document & File Issues