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How to Fix Striped Picture Color Thumbnails in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user needs to resolve a display defect where Microsoft Word shows striped lines instead of image previews in the color effect menu.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying color effects to an image via the Picture Format menu in Word.
- Observed behavior
- The thumbnail previews in the Color menu display diagonal striped lines or squares instead of rendering the actual image with the selected color effect applied.
Save your current document and ensure your internet connection is active before proceeding with any Microsoft 365 repair or update processes.
Repair or Reinstall Microsoft 365
Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Microsoft 365 installation files that may cause display bugs in the Picture Format menu.
A corrupted Office installation can lead to graphical interface glitches, such as missing thumbnail previews. Running an Online Repair often replaces faulty files and restores normal functionality.
Close Microsoft Word entirely. Open the Windows Start menu and navigate to Settings, then click on Apps.
Go to Apps & Features (or Installed Apps) and scroll down to find your Microsoft 365 or Office installation in the list.
Click the three dots (or right-click) next to Microsoft 365, select Modify, and choose Online Repair. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the repair process.
If the Online Repair does not fix the striped thumbnails, uninstall Microsoft 365 from the same menu and download a fresh installer from your Microsoft account.
Install the Latest Office Updates
Install pending updates for Microsoft Word to patch known graphical defects and bugs.
Test the Document on Another Device
Determine if the striped thumbnail behavior is specific to your current computer's graphics drivers or Office installation.
Use WPS Office for Flawless Document and Picture Formatting
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with display bugs and striped thumbnails, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight alternative that avoids heavy installation glitches while providing reliable picture editing tools.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document directly.
- 3. Format Pictures Seamlessly: Click on your image, navigate to the Picture Tools tab, and preview color effects effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my picture color thumbnails showing diagonal striped lines in Word?
This typically occurs due to a display rendering bug, an outdated graphics driver, or corrupted Microsoft 365 installation files. It stops Word from generating a live preview of the color effect applied to your image.
Will the striped color thumbnails affect my printed document?
No, this is usually just a user interface display issue in the Picture Format menu. Applying a color effect will still alter the actual image on your document canvas, which will print correctly.
How can I quickly check if the issue is a bug in my specific Word installation?
You can save the document and open it on another device with Word installed, or upload it to Word for the Web. If the thumbnails look normal in other environments, your original desktop installation likely needs repairing or updating.
