inline images not showing

Question

Using
Microsoft Outlook Version: 1.2026.512.400

Answer 1

Hi Patel, Chintan

I understand that inline images are not showing in messages from one sender in new Outlook for Windows on a personal account. I’m happy to help. Please reply with:

• Does the same email fail in Outlook on the web with the same account?
• Does the same email display correctly in classic Outlook?
• Does this happen with all inline-image emails or only this one CID test message?
• Is the sender using a generated test email or a normal real-world message?

Please also try these steps in order:

1. Open the same email in Outlook on the web

Sign in to the same account in Outlook on the web and open the exact same email there. Check whether the problem is limited to the Windows app or whether it also affects the web rendering path.

2. Fully restart new Outlook, then test the same message again

Fully close the app through Task Manager, then reopen it and test again. Please do the following:

• Right-click Start and select Task Manager.
• Select Microsoft Outlook, then choose End task.
• Confirm that Outlook is fully closed.
• Reopen new Outlook and test the same message again.

3. Reinstall new Outlook for Windows from the Microsoft Store

If the same inline image still does not render, uninstall and reinstall new Outlook:

• Open Start and find new Outlook for Windows.
• Expand the app options and select Uninstall.
• Then open the Microsoft Store and install new Outlook again.

4. Check whether the issue happens in only one message or in all emails with inline images

Please confirm whether this happens only with this one test message or with multiple messages that contain inline images. If your issue is limited to one message, that points more toward a message-specific rendering problem.

5. Compare the same message in classic Outlook, if available

If you have classic Outlook installed, open the same message there and compare the result. If the image displays correctly in classic Outlook but fails in new Outlook, please reply to this thread.

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!  

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Answer 2

Inline images not showing in Outlook can be caused by several different issues. Based on the available information, use the following checks and fixes that are known to affect inline image rendering in Outlook and Exchange:

1. Check for the classic “red X / linked image cannot be displayed” condition
   • If the broken image shows a red X and a message like “Right‑click here to download pictures…”, Outlook may be blocking HTTP‑hosted images.
   • This can be enforced by the BlockHTTPimages registry value.
   • To fix it (Classic Outlook for Windows):
     1. Close Outlook.
     2. Open regedit.exe.
     3. Go to one of these keys (depending on whether Group Policy is used):
        • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common
        • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Common
     4. If BlockHTTPimages (DWORD) exists and is set to 1, delete it.
     5. Restart Outlook and test again.
   • If the value is under the Policies hive, the setting is controlled by Group Policy and must be changed by an administrator.
2. Ensure Outlook is configured to send and show inline images
   • For some Outlook versions, non‑embedded inline images can show as red X if the Send Pictures With Document registry value is not set correctly.
   • For Outlook 2016/2013:
     • Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\x.0\Outlook\Options\Mail, add or set Send Pictures With Document (DWORD) to 1.
   • For Outlook 2010/2007:
     • Remove Send Pictures With Document or set it to 1.
3. If using Outlook on the web (OWA) against on‑premises Exchange
   • Certain Exchange Server builds have known bugs with inline images and signatures:
     • Exchange 2019 with download domains and mailbox aliases starting with oma* can fail to show inline images and text attachments in OWA. Installing Exchange Server 2019 Cumulative Update 15 or later fixes this.
     • Exchange 2016 CU8+ can cause signature images created in OWA to show as a cross mark for external recipients; Exchange 2016 Cumulative Update 11 or later fixes this.
     • Exchange 2013 CU9 can cause inline pictures to be converted to attachments when smart‑forwarding from iOS; Exchange 2013 Cumulative Update 11 or later fixes this.
   • If the mailbox is on one of these affected Exchange versions, update the server to at least the CU level specified in the relevant article.
4. Clear Outlook cache if the problem is limited to some messages or signatures
   • Cached signatures or message data can sometimes prevent inline images from loading correctly.
   • In Classic Outlook for Windows:
     1. Close Outlook.
     2. Press Windows + R, enter %localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook\RoamCache, and press Enter.
     3. Select all files in the RoamCache folder and delete them.
     4. Restart Outlook and test again.

If inline CID images still do not render after these steps, verify whether the issue reproduces in Outlook on the web and in another Outlook profile; if it does, focus on the Exchange server build and any security/antivirus products that may be rewriting or blocking image URLs.

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References:

• The Linked image cannot be displayed error in an Outlook email message
• Inline images may display as a Red X in Outlook
• Inline images and text attachments are not visible in OWA
• The image in a signature that's created in Outlook on the web isn't visible to external users in Exchange Server 2016
• Inline attachments are sent as traditional when you smart forward an HTML email in an iOS device in Exchange Server 2013
• Deleted inline picture is displayed as an attachment after you switch a message to plain text in Exchange Server 2016
• Outlook Inline images are still loading ..... - Microsoft Q&A