How to Fix the Wrong Thumbnail on a SharePoint News Post
Question details
The user needs to correct the displayed thumbnail image on a SharePoint news post.

- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Publishing or updating a news post on a SharePoint site.
- Observed behavior
- The news post incorrectly displays an image from a Quick Links or File and Media web part instead of the intended cover image due to caching or thumbnail synchronization issues.
Ensure you have edit permissions for the specific SharePoint news page and have your preferred cover image ready to use.
Manually Change the Thumbnail via Page Details
Use this method to override SharePoint's automatic image selection and explicitly set the correct thumbnail for your news post.
SharePoint sometimes automatically pulls images from Quick Links or other web parts instead of the main banner. Manually setting the thumbnail prevents this behavior and ensures the correct image is always displayed.
Open the specific news page on your SharePoint site and click 'Edit' at the top right to enter edit mode.
Click on 'Page Details' from the top command bar to open the properties pane on the right side.
In the Page Details pane, locate the thumbnail section and click 'Change thumbnail' to select or upload the correct image.
Click the 'Republish' button to save your changes and apply the new thumbnail.

Create and Manage Documents with WPS Office
While you manage your sites and news posts on SharePoint, WPS Office is the perfect lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office for creating the actual documents and files you share online. It offers seamless format compatibility and a familiar interface without subscription fees.
- 1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Create and Share: Open WPS Office, create your documents, and upload them directly to your SharePoint document libraries.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint automatically select the wrong thumbnail?
By default, if a custom thumbnail isn't explicitly set, SharePoint attempts to auto-generate one by grabbing an image from the page's content. It often mistakenly prioritizes images from a Quick Links or File and Media web part over your main banner image.
How long does it take for the new SharePoint thumbnail to sync?
The thumbnail should update as soon as you republish the page. If it doesn't, this is usually due to browser or server-side caching. Clearing your browser cache or republishing the main SharePoint home page will force the synchronization.
What is the recommended size for a SharePoint news post thumbnail?
For optimal display across various web parts and news feeds, it is highly recommended to use an image with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a high resolution.




