macOS Tahoe Preview Not Working? Here's the Fix

Preview is a built-in macOS application that allows you to easily view image files, such as PNG, JPEG, and PDF. However, some users have reported that it doesn’t work properly after upgrading their Mac to macOS Tahoe.

Rest assured. This article will help you understand the causes of this issue and provide several effective solutions. Read on for details.

Why Is Preview Not Working on My Mac?

Several factors can cause Preview to stop working on your Mac. The most common ones include:

• The file you are opening is corrupted.
• Preview app's issues.
• macOS system bugs.
• Hardware issue.

How to Fix Preview Not Working on Mac

Preview issues are usually not difficult to fix. Follow the methods below to resolve them.

1. Force Quit Preview

The first solution is to force quit Preview. There are two ways to do this:

1. Go to Apple menu＞Force Quit＞Select Preview＞Force Quit. （Shortcut: Command + Option + Esc)

2. Open Activity Monitor via Spotlight＞ Enter Preview in the search box＞Select all Preview-related processes＞Click the X button＞Force Quit.

2. Try Opening Other Files

There is a chance that the files you are opening via Preview are broken or corrupted. To rule out this possibility, try opening other files with Preview.

3. Restart Your Mac

Restarting your Mac is helpful in killing the abnormal processes and system settings. This may also resolve the Preview not working issue.

4. Update macOS

An outdated macOS is more likely to cause problems like Preview not working. Update your Mac as soon as a new release compatible with your device becomes available.

5. Reboot Your Mac in Safe Mode

Starting your Mac in Safe Mode helps you determine whether startup items are causing the Preview issue. If so, disable or uninstall the problematic items.

6. Reset Preview

Resetting Preview will clear problematic Preview-related processes and restart the app.

Here's how:

1. Open Finder.
2. Click the Go menu＞Press and hold the Option key＞Click Library > Preferences > com.apple.Preview.plist.
3. Delete com.apple.Preview.plist file.
4. Reopen Preview.

7. Sign In with a Different Account

Errors with your user account can also cause Preview issues. In this case, try switching to another user account. If you can use Preview normally on that account, there must be errors with your previous account.

Here is how:

Go to the Apple menu＞Click Log Out XXX...＞Wait for the login screen＞Select another user account＞Enter the password.

8. Reinstall macOS

The ultimate solution is to reinstall your macOS. But it's worth noting that reinstalling macOS may erase your data, so make sure to back up important files before proceeding.

Bonus: How to Optimize Mac Performance to the Maximum

If app crashes frequently occur on your Mac, consider optimizing its performance. BuhoCleaner is a professional and easy-to-use Mac performance monitor and optimizer. It helps free up space and improve performance in minutes.

Conclusion

Now you know several effective ways to fix Preview not working on macOS Tahoe. Try these methods and get Preview running smoothly again!