SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Image Web Part Showing an Old Replaced Image

Camila Milosovich Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The SharePoint Image Web Part continues to display an older version of an image even after the original file was replaced with a new file using the exact same name.

How to Fix SharePoint Image Web Part Showing an Old Replaced Image

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user uploads a new image to replace an existing one on a SharePoint page by keeping the identical filename to theoretically retain the same link.
Observed behavior: The web part displays the old image instead of the updated content because browser, SharePoint, or CDN caching prevents real-time synchronization.

Before you start

Navigate directly to your SharePoint document library and open the image file directly to verify that the new version was successfully uploaded before troubleshooting web part caching.

Solution 1Recommended

Rename the Image File to Break the Cache

The most reliable way to force SharePoint to immediately display the updated image is to change its filename. This bypasses the old cached URL entirely.

Because SharePoint and Microsoft 365 CDNs heavily cache media files to improve page load speeds, using the exact same filename often results in the old image being served. Renaming the file guarantees a fresh URL.

Locate the file in your library

Go to the SharePoint Site Contents and open the Document Library or Site Assets folder where the image is stored.

Rename the newly uploaded image

Right-click the image, select 'Rename', and give it a new name (e.g., append a version number or timestamp like 'banner_v2.jpg' or 'banner_20231025.jpg').

Update the web part reference

Navigate back to your SharePoint page, click 'Edit' in the top right corner, select the Image Web Part, and click the pencil icon to change the image source to your newly renamed file.

Republish the page

Click 'Republish' to save your changes. The new image should now render immediately for all users.

Rename the Image File to Break the Cache

Best Practice: When frequently updating graphics or banners in SharePoint, always use a versioning system in your filenames to avoid caching delays.

Solution 2

Clear Browser Cache and Wait for CDN Expiration

If you cannot or prefer not to rename the image file, you can try forcing a local refresh and wait for the backend servers to clear their cache.

Solution 3

Automate Cache Breaking with Power Automate

For users managing images through automated workflows, you can utilize Power Automate to dynamically rename files and update web parts to prevent stale content.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint cache my images instead of showing real-time updates?

SharePoint utilizes aggressive caching mechanisms, including Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), to optimize page load speeds and reduce server strain. Because of this, files with identical names are served from the cache rather than being downloaded freshly from the server.

How long does it take for the SharePoint CDN cache to expire automatically?

The expiration time can vary based on your organization's Microsoft 365 configuration and the specific CDN rules applied. Typically, updates may appear within 15 to 60 minutes, but in some instances, it can take up to 24 hours.

Can I force the SharePoint page to show the new image without renaming the file?

You can attempt a hard refresh (Ctrl + F5) in your browser to clear local caching. However, if the file is cached on the Microsoft 365 server or CDN level, a local refresh will not bypass it. In those cases, renaming the file is the only immediate workaround.

Document & File Issues