Email Sync Problems

How to Fix Missing SharePoint News Digest Thumbnails in Outlook

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to see SharePoint News Digest thumbnails in the Outlook desktop app, although the images load correctly in Outlook on the web.

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing SharePoint News Digest emails containing images served via the tenant SharePoint sharing API within the Outlook desktop application.
Observed behavior: Thumbnails appear successfully in Outlook on the web but remain completely missing when opening the same email in the Outlook desktop app.

Before you start

Verify your internet connection and open the same email in Outlook on the web to confirm if the thumbnails are visible there before proceeding with troubleshooting.

Solution 1Recommended

Open a Support Ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Because this issue typically affects multiple users and involves background API authentication, it requires administrative intervention and Microsoft support.

When images use the tenant SharePoint sharing API, the Outlook desktop application may struggle to authenticate and download the thumbnails properly. Since this feature worked previously, the problem is most likely tied to a Microsoft 365 background service disruption.

Identify your Administrator

Locate and contact your organization's Microsoft 365 administrator or internal IT helpdesk.

Report the Issue

Provide them with the specific details: SharePoint News Digest thumbnails load in Outlook on the web but fail to display in the Outlook desktop app.

Access Admin Center

Ask the administrator to log into the Microsoft 365 admin center using their administrative credentials.

Open a Support Ticket

The administrator should navigate to 'Help & support' to open a service ticket, allowing Microsoft technicians to inspect backend service logs and resolve the sharing API issue.

Administrative Access Required: Standard users do not have the necessary permissions to access the Microsoft 365 admin center or view backend service logs. You must rely on your IT department for this fix.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint thumbnails show on the web but not in the Outlook app?

Outlook on the web and the Outlook desktop app process image rendering and API authentication differently. The desktop application may fail to authenticate images served through the tenant SharePoint sharing API, preventing the thumbnails from downloading.

Can I fix this missing thumbnail issue on my own computer?

Usually, no. Because the issue stems from how the Microsoft 365 background service handles the SharePoint sharing API, it cannot be fixed with local troubleshooting. It requires a Microsoft 365 administrator to contact Microsoft support.

Will clearing my Outlook cache bring the thumbnails back?

Clearing the Outlook cache or repairing your profile is a good general troubleshooting step, but it is unlikely to resolve this specific issue if the root cause is a SharePoint sharing API authentication failure on Microsoft's backend.

How do I find out who my Microsoft 365 admin is?

Your Microsoft 365 administrator is typically your company's IT department or the individual who originally set up your work email and provided your login credentials. Contact your internal IT support desk for help.

Outlook & Email Problems