Fixed: Facebook Not Updating My Website Thumbnail (2025)

Why Facebook Shows the Wrong Image (And How to Fix It)

You just updated your website with a new logo or banner. You are excited to share the link on Facebook, but when you post it, the old image still shows up. Even worse, sometimes it shows no image at all.

This is a common frustration for business owners and developers. The good news is that your website is likely fine. The problem is usually stored in Facebook's "memory" (cache). This guide will show you exactly how to clear that memory and force Facebook to show your new, professional thumbnail.

Understanding the Problem: It Is Not Your Website

When you share a link for the first time, Facebook sends a "crawler" to your site. This crawler looks for an image tag (called Open Graph or og:image) and saves a copy of that picture on its own servers.

The next time you or anyone else shares that same link, Facebook does not check your website again. It simply shows the copy it saved earlier to save time. This is why your new changes do not appear immediately.

The Solution: The Facebook Sharing Debugger

To fix this, you need to tell Facebook to "scrape" your site again. This forces their system to delete the old saved image and download the new one. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Check Your Image Dimensions

Before you clear the cache, ensure your new image follows the correct standards. If the image is too large or too small, Facebook might ignore it.

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Step 2: Use the "Scrape Again" Tool

Facebook provides a free tool specifically for this issue. You do not need to be a developer to use it.

1. Go to the Facebook Sharing Debugger page.
2. Paste your website URL into the input field.
3. Click the blue Debug button.
4. Look at the "Link Preview" section. If it still shows the old image, find the Scrape Again button near the top.
5. Click "Scrape Again". You may need to click this button two or three times until the image updates.

Common Errors to Watch For

Sometimes the debugger will give you a warning. Here is what the most common ones mean:

• Missing Properties: This usually means you haven't set an fb:app_id. This is optional and will not break your image.
• Image Too Small: Your image must be at least 200x200 pixels. If it is smaller, Facebook will not display it.
• Inferred Property: This means you didn't set an explicit image, so Facebook guessed which one to use. It is better to set a specific og:image tag in your code.

Summary

You do not have to wait for Facebook to update automatically, which can take up to 30 days. By using the Sharing Debugger, you can take control of how your brand looks on social media instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my Facebook link preview not showing an image?

A: This happens if your image is too small, the file size is too big, or the "og:image" tag is missing from your website code.

Q: How long does Facebook keep the old image cache?

A: Facebook typically clears its cache automatically every 30 days, but you can force an update immediately using the Debugger tool.

Q: Does this tool fix LinkedIn and Twitter previews too?

A: No. This tool is only for Facebook. LinkedIn and Twitter (X) have their own separate validator tools that work in a similar way.

Q: I clicked "Scrape Again" but the image did not change. What do I do?

A: Sometimes the server needs a moment. Click the button 2 or 3 times rapidly. If that fails, try clearing your own website's server cache first.

Q: What is the best image size for Facebook links in 2025?

A: The standard professional size is 1200 pixels wide by 630 pixels tall. This works perfectly on both desktop and mobile feeds.