Problems with Thumbnails and apps stopping to work.

[PerSw]

Hi

I have purchased my computer

HP Envy x360 2-in-1 Laptop 16-ac0xxx

Processor                               Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 7 155U (1.70 GHz)

RAM                                           16,0 GB (15,5 GB can be used)

Unite-ID                                   4F8DF727-32A1-44B6-A0BF-E712D5C977E6

Product-ID                              00342-22398-57478-AAOEM

System type                           64-bitars operativsystem, x64-baserad processor

NOW to the problems

I have big problems, but so far you are NOT helping me.  If I shall continue with HP you MUST HELP!!! I have paid for prolonged guarantee.

Now: Whats happening on my computer:

1. Apps suddenly stops working. Or “hang”. And its apps from many different companies, like Microsoft (typically Outlook), but also from Corel, and many others. So this issue is not related to one app supplier but many – which means the error is on my computer, not in the app.
2. Thumbnails for photos do not display the “miniature version” but only the app thumbnail that is connected to the type of photo. With "hard work" I can click them sometimes and get the right Thumbnails to be visible. But then next time I use my computer they are gone. As I work with photos I need to quickly see the miniatures in order to find the right one. // Similar problem for thumbnails for folders: I have problem with the standard thumbnail for folders – I need to quickly find the right one. So I replace the standard thumbnails with other ico-thumbnails that make me quickly find the right folder to open. Like I use a down arrow for downloaded files and an up arrow for files to be uploaded. And so on.

Please note: I have more or less used all test options on my computer for errors – they do not show any result that indicates any error. They could NOT identify any error on my computer – but above problems are still there.

[Deep_World]

Hi @PerSw,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I’m sorry you’re going through this; I understand the concern and don’t worry I’ll help you with this.

To better understand the issue, could you please provide a few more details?

Do the app freezes happen randomly, or mostly after waking the laptop from sleep/hibernation?

When thumbnails disappear, does it happen only in File Explorer, or also in photo‑related apps?

Have you noticed if the problems started after a Windows update or driver update?

Here are some troubleshooting steps worth trying:

• Check for graphics driver updates: Go to Device Manager → Display adapters, right‑click Intel graphics, and update. Outdated drivers often cause thumbnail rendering issues.
• Clear thumbnail cache: In Disk Cleanup, select “Thumbnails” and clear them. Windows will rebuild the cache, which can fix disappearing previews.
• Adjust File Explorer settings: Open Folder Options → View tab, make sure “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked.
• Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as admin and run:

sfc /scannow 

• This repairs corrupted system files that may cause app hangs.
• Check Reliability Monitor: Search “Reliability Monitor” in Windows. It shows a timeline of app crashes and system errors, which can help pinpoint what’s failing.
• Disable Fast Startup: In Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do, turn off Fast Startup. This can reduce odd behavior after reboot.
• HP Support Assistant: Run it to check for BIOS, chipset, and driver updates specific to your Envy x360 model.

When apps freeze, do you see high CPU or memory usage in Task Manager, or does the system look normal but just hangs? That detail will help determine whether this is a performance bottleneck or a deeper system corruption issue.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 

Best regards,

Deep_World

[PerSw]

Apps hanging and stopping to work.

Randomly? Yes. From my point its randomly. But it happens quite often.

Thumbnails

File explorer: When I open a folder with photos, for a split second I can see the Thumbnails, then it changes them to icons of the app that normally opens them. If I then open them, one by one, then those I have opened shows Thumbnails, but not those I have not opened at that session.

Using a photo/image app: Same happens.

Have you noticed if the problems started after a Windows update or driver update? Not aware.

I regularly updates my drivers and apps. And also use apps for cleaning out old files etc.

An issue with your instructions: My computer uses Swedish, and your answer is in English. When I translate to Swedish it does not always find what you ask for. If you have a video showing how to do things?!

Another thing I have noticed, computer is a bit slow when working online – but could be due to the network.

[Deep_World]

Hi @PerSw,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for your response.  

I understand the difficulty when apps randomly stop responding and thumbnails keep disappearing. When issues appear “randomly,” it usually means there is something happening in the background (like a service, cache problem, or driver conflict).

The behaviour you’re describing thumbnails briefly appearing and then switching to generic icons usually points to a problem with Windows thumbnail cache, the Photos app, or a graphics driver issue. 

Apps freezing randomly can be related to the same underlying issue:

• Corrupted app cache
• Disk cleanup or “optimizer” apps deleting essential system files
• Graphics driver instability

1. Rebuild Window’s thumbnail cache

Sometimes the thumbnail database gets corrupted.

• Open the Start menu → type Disk Cleanup
• Select your main drive (C:)
• Check Thumbnails
• Click OK to delete them
  After that, restart the PC and see if thumbnails rebuild normally.

2. Turn off "Always show icons, never thumbnails"

Just in case this got enabled accidentally:

• Open File Explorer
• Go to View → Options
• Open the View tab
• Make sure “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked

3. Update or reinstall the graphics driver

Problems like icons flickering or thumbnails disappearing can come from GPU issues.
reinstalling the driver often helps.

I hope this helps 

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 

Best regards,

Deep_World

[PerSw]

Not really solved.

1. Start menu → type Disk Cleanup Select your main drive (C:) Check Thumbnails Click OK to delete them After that, restart the PC and see if thumbnails rebuild normally.  Done, but not sure about the cleanup functions.
2. Turn off "Always show icons, never thumbnails". Cannot find “Always show icons, never thumbnails”, follow your steps but then options suggested are NOT visible.
3. Drivers. Have updated all drivers I can find that I can update with help of driver update app.

Now: Some photos shown as icons, others as thumbnails. What ones as icons or thumbnails differ from time to time.

[Deep_World]

Hi @PerSw,

Thanks for your response. It looks like you’re still having issue with the unit.

To get you the best assistance, we need to take this conversation to a private chat. We're inviting you to a private message to protect your privacy and ensure that any sensitive information remains confidential. 

To access your private message, just click the little blue envelope icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile, next to your profile name. Alternatively, you can click on this link. 

You can use this link as well: 

Private Messages - HP Support Community

We're looking forward to helping you resolve this issue! 

Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience! 

Best regards,

Deep_World