Overview
When you version or replace an image in PXM, the thumbnail in your media library may briefly continue to display the old image after the new file has been uploaded. This is usually caused by caching and clears with a page refresh or a short wait. Clearing your browser's cache and cookies is a last resort.
Why Does This Happen?
When you replace or version an image, PXM gives the new upload a new image link, so thumbnails in PXM normally update after a page refresh. Permalinks (/p/) follow the change too, but can take about 5 minutes to show the new image while the CDN updates.
Browsers also cache images they have already loaded. If the old image still shows after about 5 minutes and a hard refresh, use the steps below.
How to Fix It
Option 1: Hard Refresh
Try a hard refresh first — this is the quickest step and works in many cases:
Windows/Linux: Press
Ctrl + Shift + RMac: Press
Cmd + Shift + R
Note: If you just replaced the image, wait about 5 minutes before trying the next option.
Option 2: Clear Cache and Cookies for PXM
If a hard refresh doesn't work, clearing your browser's site data for PXM will force it to re-fetch all content fresh from the server.
In Chrome (quickest method):
Navigate to your PXM instance (e.g.,
yourcompany.pxm.pattern.com)Click the lock icon (or info icon) in the address bar
Select Site settings
Click Clear data
Refresh the page
In any browser (full clear):
Open your browser settings and navigate to Privacy & Security
Select Clear browsing data
Check both Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data
Click Clear data
Return to PXM and refresh the page
Additional Notes
This behavior applies to both the Replace Image feature and standard uploads where an image is versioned using the same filename.
The issue only affects you if your browser previously visited and cached the old image. If you are viewing the image for the first time after a replace, you will see the updated version immediately.
Other users who have not previously loaded the old image in their browser will also see the new thumbnail right away.
Still Seeing the Old Image?
If you have cleared your cache and cookies and the thumbnail is still not updating, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager or submit a support ticket. In rare cases there may be an image conversion issue that requires further investigation.