Considering how essential icons are in helping you distinguish between applications and file types, you must fix that as soon as possible. Work your way through the list of solutions below to fix blank icons in Windows 10. If you also have issues with blank thumbnails, check our guide to fixing thumbnail previews in Windows 10 for more fixes.
Restart File Explorer
Restart File Explorer
If the issue with blank icons in Windows 10 showed up only recently, it’s best to kick things off by restarting File Explorer. That just might end up fixing the issue for good.
Reset the Icon Cache
Reset the Icon Cache
If restarting File Explorer or your PC doesn’t help, a corrupt icon cache is the most likely reason for the issue. Deleting the icon cache can help. The fastest way to do that is to run several commands via an elevated Command Prompt console.
Update the Display Driver
Update the Display Driver
An outdated display driver can cause graphical anomalies and prevent Windows 10 from rendering icons correctly. Check for and install any newer versions by visiting the hardware manufacturer’s website. Or use a free driver updater tool to get the video card drivers on your computer up-to-date. Additionally, checking your graphics card’s properties via the Device Manager in Windows 10 also provides you with an opportunity to identify the driver version. You also get to install any downloaded updates (if you have trouble installing them normally) or roll back to a previous driver version (if the issue occurred after the most recent driver update).
Update Windows 10
Update Windows 10
Buggy or outdated system files is another reason that can prevent the desktop, taskbar or the Start menu from functioning correctly. Installing the latest updates can help fix things like blank icons in Windows 10.
Update App
Update App
If the issue is limited to a specific icon or shortcut related to an application, try updating it. Open the More menu within the Microsoft Store (select icon with three dots) and select Downloads and updates to install the latest updates for Microsoft Store apps. For apps you downloaded outside of the Microsoft Store, look for any update options inside the app. For example, some programs—such as iTunes—also have dedicated update managers that you can access directly via the Start menu.
Reinstall or Repair App
Reinstall or Repair App
If updating an app doesn’t help, try repairing or reinstalling it. Depending on the program, you may have the option to do both.
Set Up a Custom Icon
Set Up a Custom Icon
For blank icons in Windows 10 that show up on the desktop, you can try customizing them. You can use any of the pre-built icons in Windows 10 for that.
Check for Malware
Check for Malware
If blank icons continue to plague your PC (or the issue recurs after a while), we recommend taking the time to rule out malware from the equation. Use the built-in Windows Security applet or a dedicated free anti-malware utility to scan for and remove malicious software from your computer.
Run SFC and DISM Tool
Run SFC and DISM Tool
If none of the fixes above worked, try running the System File Checker and DISM tool. Both command-line utilities help fix system errors and stability issues in Windows 10. They can help repair issues causing blank icons in Windows 10.
What Else Can You Do?
What Else Can You Do?
The fixes above should have helped you fix blank icons in Windows 10. However, if the issue persists, you might want to roll back the operating system to when you didn’t have the problem. You can also try resetting Windows 10, especially if blank icons continue to appear throughout the GUI (graphical user interface). But it likely won’t come to that.
