Preview is Mac’s built-in default image viewing application and takes care of all your photo viewing and editing requirements. Its integration with Finder allows you to view image files in Preview without problems. However, users have experienced issues with Preview not loading image thumbnails or images not displaying.
Read on for fixes that should get Preview working as expected again.
Try another image file
If Preview refuses to open an image, the first thing you should check is the image file itself. If the file you are trying to open becomes corrupted, Preview will not open it.
The easiest way to check if the problem is with the file is to try opening a different image file in Preview. If the other file opens, you know there is a problem with the previous file. However, if the second file does not open, try the following solutions below.
Restart your Mac
Let’s start with a simple solution, since they sometimes fix these types of problems with applications. Close all applications on your Mac and restart it to see if that helps. These are the steps to restart your Mac:
- Click the Apple logo in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Choose “Restart” and then wait for your Mac to restart.
Update to the latest version of macOS
Some versions of macOS contain bugs that cause applications to not work correctly. Updating to the latest version may fix these issues; Follow these steps to update your macOS:
- At the top left of the screen, click the Apple logo.
- Choose the “About this Mac” option.
- A pop-up window will display information about your Mac. Click the “Software Update” button.
- Wait while your Mac checks for the latest update; if one is available, it will be displayed. Click “Update Now” and then wait for the process to finish.
- Once the update is installed and your Mac has restarted, try Preview again to see if the issue is fixed.
Remove PLIST file from preview
Deleting an app’s PLIST file on a Mac is like resetting the app’s preferences, which is equivalent to installing and configuring the app for the first time. This is another troubleshooting method suitable for fixing Preview issues. Here’s how to remove the PLIST file from Preview:
- Start a new “Finder” window.
- At the top of the menu bar, click “Go.”
- Hold down the “Option” key on your keyboard, then click the “Library” option in the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down slightly, then double-click the “Preferences” menu to open it.
- Find the file “com.apple.Preview.plist” and then delete it.
- Mac will automatically create another PLIST file for the Preview app once you open it again.
Restart your Mac in safe mode
Sometimes Mac login items may conflict with the Preview app. The quickest method to check if the problem is due to login items is to reboot into safe mode. Login Items are apps that open automatically every time your Mac starts up or when you sign in. Booting in safe mode prevents login items from loading.
The process is different for Apple Silicon and Intel Mac; therefore, follow the steps for your Mac.
Reboot in Safe Mode for Mac Intel:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press the “Power” button and simultaneously hold down the “Shift” key.
- Once the login screen appears, release the “Shift” key and then log in.
Reboot into Safe Mode for Apple Silicon Macs:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press the “Power” button, then wait for the “Boot Options” to appear.
- Click on your startup disk, hold down the “Shift” key, and then select “Continue in safe mode.”
- Release the “Shift” key and then log in.
In Safe Mode, try Preview again to see if the images display. If Preview starts working as expected in Safe Mode, here’s how to remove your Mac login items:
- Click the Apple logo and then select “System Preferences.”
- Choose “Users and Groups.”
- Click your username, then select the “Login Items” tab.
- Select the lock icon, then enter your administrator password to obtain authorization to make the change.
- Click each item in the list, then select the minus icon to delete it.
- Restart your Mac and Preview should now work as expected.
Successful preview of images in Preview
Preview is the built-in PDF and image viewing app on the Mac. It’s a reasonably solid app; but it is not immune to occasional problems. The preview is known to sometimes not display images, which is a real drawback since displaying images is one of its main functions.
Fortunately, there are several solutions available if Preview is not working. First, try restarting your Mac and preview or delete the PLIST file. If standard troubleshooting tips don’t work, consider restarting your Mac in Safe Mode to determine if apps that open during startup are causing interference.
Can you see images in Preview now? What did you do to fix it? Tell us in the comments section below.
