Fix SharePoint Start Page Flashes and Goes Blank in Chrome/Edge
Question details
The SharePoint Start page briefly displays Frequent sites before going blank or showing an empty list in web browsers.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Accessing the SharePoint Start page via Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge in a Microsoft 365 GCC High environment.
- Observed behavior
- The page flashes the Frequent sites list and then quickly goes completely blank or displays an empty list.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and try accessing SharePoint using an Incognito (Chrome) or InPrivate (Edge) browsing window to rule out any interference from browser extensions.
Check Microsoft 365 Service Health and Clear Cache
Verify if there is an ongoing tenant incident affecting SharePoint and clear browser data once the issue is resolved.
Blank page issues on SharePoint are often tied to temporary Microsoft 365 service outages affecting tenant databases or routing. Checking the service health dashboard is the most reliable first step.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to 'Health' on the left sidebar, and select 'Service health' to look for any active SharePoint incidents.
If a tenant incident is reported, monitor the status dashboard until Microsoft indicates that a fix has been deployed and the service is restored.
Once the service is restored, open your Chrome or Edge browser settings, navigate to privacy and security, clear your browser cache and cookies, then reload the SharePoint Start page.
Enable Microsoft Graph Item Insights
Ensure that privacy settings are configured correctly to allow SharePoint to display frequent sites and insights.
Open a Microsoft Support Ticket
If no active incidents exist and settings are correct, escalate the problem to Microsoft support for investigation.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
While troubleshooting your SharePoint access, consider WPS Office for your local and cloud document needs. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office with high compatibility, a familiar UI, and seamless migration for all your professional documents.
- 1. Download the App: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your device.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple installation prompts, launch the application, and explore the familiar tabbed interface.
- 3. Open Microsoft Formats: Open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files seamlessly without any loss of formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my SharePoint Start page show an empty list of frequent sites?
This typically happens due to an ongoing Microsoft 365 service incident, disabled Microsoft Graph item insights, or corrupted browser cache preventing the page from loading user data properly.
How can I check if there is a Microsoft 365 service outage?
You or your IT administrator can log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to 'Health', and select 'Service health' to view active incidents affecting SharePoint or other cloud services.
Does clearing the browser cache fix SharePoint display issues?
Yes, if a service incident has recently been resolved by Microsoft, clearing your Chrome or Edge browser cache removes outdated session data and allows the Start page to load its contents correctly.
