How to Fix Preview Not Working Mac | Best Ways for Mac Users

Encountering issues with Preview not working on Mac can be frustrating, especially since the Preview app is the default app for viewing PDF files, PNG files, and other common formats. Since most Mac users rely on this tool for quick file access, any malfunction can disrupt productivity. Whether you're using a MacBook Pro or another Mac device, this issue can arise unexpectedly. Fortunately, there are effective solutions to get Mac Preview back on track. From clearing cache files to adjusting system settings, resolving the problem often takes just a few simple steps. Keep reading this post to discover practical solutions that will help you fix the Preview not working on Mac issue and restore smooth file viewing functionality.

Why Preview App is Not Working?

Understanding why Mac Preview not working can save you time and frustration. Since it’s a built-in app for viewing documents and images, sudden crashes or failures can disrupt your workflow. Whether you're opening a PDF file, an image file, or handling multiple files, identifying the cause is the first step toward fixing the issue. Here are some common reasons why the Preview tool may not work properly:

• Corrupted Files: If the PDF file or image file you're trying to open is damaged, Mac Preview not working is a likely outcome. Try opening a different file to check if the issue persists.
• Software Glitches: Bugs in macOS updates can sometimes interfere with the Preview tool, causing problems when launching Preview or viewing files.
• Storage and Permissions Issues: Limited storage space or incorrect file permissions can prevent Preview from accessing all your data, leading to unexpected errors.
• Conflicting Applications: Third-party apps, including a backup tool, may interfere with Preview’s functionality, affecting file display or even causing Mac screen freezes.

Best Ways to Fix Preview App Issue

1. Try Opening Other Files

If Mac Preview is not opening, the problem might not be with the app itself but with the file you're trying to open. A corrupted, incomplete, or unsupported file can prevent Preview from displaying content properly. This is especially common with image files and PDFs that were downloaded incorrectly or transferred from another device. Before troubleshooting the app, it’s important to test whether the issue is file-related. By checking different files, using an alternative app, or converting the format, you can determine if the problem is with the file or Mac Preview itself.

User Guide:

• Try opening other image files or PDFs in Preview to see if it works. If other files open without problems, the original file may be corrupted, unsupported, or incomplete.
• Open the file in another application or on a different Mac to check if it’s readable. If it fails elsewhere, the file may need to be re-downloaded or restored from a backup.
• Some file types might not be compatible with Preview. Converting the file to PDF, PNG, or JPEG using another tool may allow Preview to open it properly.

2. Force Quit Preview

Another solution you can do if Preview not working on Mac and leaves the app unresponsive, force quitting can help restart it and clear temporary glitches. Sometimes, Preview freezes due to system overload, corrupted files, or software conflicts, making it impossible to close normally. This can happen when opening a PNG file, a large document, or multiple files at once. Force quitting stops all related processes, allowing the app to relaunch cleanly. If Preview lags, fails to open files, or remains stuck on a blank screen, this method is a quick way to restore functionality.

User Guide:

• Press Command (⌘), select "Option," and "Escape" to open the "Force Quit Preview" window. Find Preview in the list, select it, and click "Force Quit" to close it immediately. This method works when the app becomes completely unresponsive.
• If clicking Force Quit doesn’t work, open "Finder," go to the "Applications," and navigate to the "Utilities Folder" to launch "Activity Monitor." Search for "Preview," select it, click the "X" button, and choose Force Quit to stop its background processes.
• After force quitting, wait a few seconds before reopening Preview to ensure all processes are fully closed. If the app still fails to launch, try disabling login items in "System Settings" under Users and Groups to prevent startup conflicts. Additionally, resetting plist documents can help resolve persistent issues.

3. Restart Your Mac

When Preview not opening on Mac becomes a recurring issue, restarting your Mac can help resolve underlying mac issues. A restart clears temporary system files, refreshes memory, and stops background processes that may interfere with Preview. Sometimes, minor macOS glitches affect app performance, and a simple reboot can fix them. Restarting also ensures any recent system or software updates are properly applied. Whether Preview crashes, fails to open files, or remains unresponsive, restarting your Mac is a quick and effective troubleshooting step before moving on to more advanced solutions.

User Guide:

• Click the "Apple logo" in the top-left corner of the screen and select "Restart your Mac." If using an "Intel-based Mac," allow it to fully shut down before pressing the power button again. On an "Apple Silicon Mac," hold the "power" button until "Startup Disk" options appear, then select your disk and restart.
• When the Mac becomes completely unresponsive, press and hold the "power" button until the screen turns off. Wait a few seconds before turning it back on to allow the system to reset properly.
• After restarting, open Preview and check if the problem is resolved. If Preview not opening on Mac persists, go to "System Preferences," navigate to "Mac Item Logins," and disable unnecessary startup apps. Resetting Preview by deleting its plist files can also help fix persistent issues.

4. Update macOS

Keeping macOS up to date is crucial when troubleshooting MacBook Preview not working issues. Outdated software can lead to compatibility problems, causing Preview to crash, freeze, or fail to open PDF documents and other files. Software updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements that help ensure Preview works properly. Updating macOS can also resolve system conflicts, preventing Preview from being affected by glitches in other apps. Before trying more advanced fixes, checking for macOS updates is a simple yet essential step to improve system stability.

User Guide:

• First, click the "Apple menu" in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." Scroll down and click "Software Update" to check for available updates. If an update is available, select "Update Now" and wait for the installation to complete. Your Mac may restart during the process, so save any important work beforehand.
• After updating, open "Finder" by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock. Navigate to the "Applications" folder, find Preview, and try opening a PDF document or other document. If Preview still does not respond, restart your Mac while holding the shift key to enter "Safe Mode," which can help resolve software conflicts.
• If the issue persists, reset Preview by deleting its plist file to clear corrupted preferences. Additionally, check Mac login items in System Settings to disable unnecessary startup apps that might interfere with Preview. As a last resort, consider to reinstall macOS to fix persistent system-related issues affecting Preview.

5. Restart Your Mac in Safe Mode

Keeping macOS up to date is essential when dealing with MacBook Preview not working issues. Outdated software can lead to compatibility problems, causing Preview to crash, freeze, or fail to open PDF documents and image files. System updates often include bug fixes and security patches that help Launch Preview app without issues. Updating macOS also prevents system conflicts that might interfere with built-in apps. Before trying more complex fixes, checking for updates is a straightforward step to improve system stability and ensure Preview functions as expected.

User Guide:

• Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner and select "System Settings." Scroll down and click "Software Update" to check for available updates. If an update is available, select "Update Now," hit the lock icon, and enter your admin password if prompted. Your Mac may restart during the process, so save any important work beforehand.
• After updating, "Launch Finder" by clicking the "Finder" symbol in the menu bar. Navigate to the "Applications" folder, locate "Preview," and try opening a PDF document. If Preview still does not respond, restart your Mac while holding the shift key until you see the login window to enter "Safe Mode," which helps isolate software conflicts that might be affecting Preview.
• If the issue persists, go to "System Settings" and check Mac login. Select unnecessary startup apps and click the minus icon to disable login items that may be interfering with Preview. If you are using multiple user accounts, log out and sign in to the original user account to see if Preview works. If all else fails, restart your Mac and press the power key to reinstall macOS.

6. Use a Different User Account

If you’re still struggling with how to fix Preview on Mac, the issue may be related to your macOS user account. A quick way to check is by logging into another user account and testing Preview there. If you don’t have another account, go to "Startup Options" and create a new one. Then, double-click to choose Preview and see if it opens properly. On the other hand, if Preview works in the new account, your original account may have corrupted settings or temporary files causing the problem. You can transfer all your files to the new account and continue using it. Alternatively, try deleting new plist file to reset Preview or restore files using an other backup tool before switching accounts permanently.

7. Use a Preview Alternative

If Preview is not working on your Mac, using an alternative like AcePDF can be a practical solution. This PDF Editor allows you to open, edit, and manage PDFs without relying on macOS’s built-in app. Unlike Preview, AcePDF supports advanced editing, including text modifications, annotations, and conversion to various formats. If you're dealing with frequent crashes or file compatibility issues, AcePDF ensures smooth document handling. Simply open your file, make the necessary changes, and save it without disruptions. Whether you're working with scanned documents or large PDFs, AcePDF provides a reliable way to manage your files without troubleshooting macOS issues. If Preview isn’t responding, switching to an alternative can save time and frustration.

Key Features:

• The PDF editor offers different editing features, including text, image, watermark, annotations, and more, to make your PDF files more interactive.
• You can directly open several files, like PNG, JPEG, Word, and more to easily edit them in the software.
• It can convert the PDF to other formats, like HTML, Excel, PPT, JPEG, and PNG without disrupting the original formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Preview pane not working for PDF on Mac?

If thumbnail previews are not showing for PDFs, the issue might be due to a system glitch or file corruption. Try restarting Finder by selecting Quit Preview, then relaunching Finder to refresh the preview display. If the problem persists, check for macOS updates to ensure you're using the latest version, as outdated software can cause display issues.

How do I reset the Preview app on my Mac?

To reset Preview, delete its plist file, which stores user preferences. Open Finder, navigate to "~/Library/Preferences/," locate "com.apple.Preview.plist," and move it to the Trash. Restart your Mac and relaunch Preview to generate a new plist file, which may fix performance issues.

How do I enable thumbnail previews in Finder?

If thumbnail previews for PDFs or images are missing, open Finder and click "View" and select "Show View" options in the menu bar. Check the Show icon Preview box to enable thumbnails. If the issue remains, restart Finder or clear temporary files to refresh the display.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting why Preview is not working on my Mac can involve several steps, from simple fixes like restarting your Mac to more advanced solutions such as clearing temporary files or resetting the app. If you're using an Intel-based Mac, shutting it down completely before restarting may help resolve persistent issues. In some cases, updating macOS or checking for corrupted files can restore functionality. Once you've applied a fix, reopen Preview to see if the issue is resolved. Every situation is different, so try these solutions based on your specific needs. If the problem continues, consider using an alternative PDF viewer or seeking further macOS support to ensure seamless file viewing and editing.