How to Fix Preview Not Working on Mac? 8 Quick Solutions

Why Is Preview Not Working on Mac?

Preview can stop working for different reasons. If it will not open or keeps crashing with every file, the problem is more likely related to Preview or macOS. If only one PDF or image is affected, the file itself may be incomplete, unsupported, locked, or restricted.

Use the symptoms below to narrow down the problem before trying a fix.

How to Fix Preview Not Working on Mac?

Try the fixes below in order. Start by reopening Preview and restarting your Mac, then move on to macOS updates and other troubleshooting steps if the problem continues.

Method 1: Quit and Reopen Preview

Start by quitting Preview normally when the app still responds to menus and clicks. This closes the app properly and gives Preview a fresh start.

• In Preview, choose "Preview > Quit Preview" from the menu bar. You can also press Command-Q.

• Wait a few seconds.

• Reopen Preview from the Applications folder, Launchpad, or Spotlight.

• Open a PDF or image that worked before.

Preview working normally again usually means the problem was temporary. For a frozen app that will not quit normally, move to the next method.

Method 2: Force Quit Preview If It Is Not Responding

When Preview not responding on Mac, force quitting can close the unresponsive app. Use this option only after a normal quit fails because unsaved form entries, annotations, or edits may be lost.

• Press Option-Command-Esc.

• Select "Preview" in the Force Quit Applications window.

• Click "Force Quit", then confirm.

  

• Reopen Preview and test a PDF or image that worked before.

For Preview that becomes unresponsive again, restart your Mac instead of repeatedly force quitting the app.

Method 3: Restart Your Mac

A restart is the next step when reopening Preview does not solve the Preview app not working on Mac problem. It closes background processes and starts a fresh macOS session without changing Preview or its settings.

• Save your work in other open apps.

• Choose "Apple menu > Restart".

  

• After signing in, open Preview again.

• Test a PDF or image that previously opened correctly.

Still having trouble with Preview? Try opening the file with Preview manually.

Method 4: Open the File with Preview Manually

Opening a PDF or image directly with Preview can help when double-clicking the file does not launch the app. It also helps determine whether Preview or the app currently assigned to the file type is causing the problem.

Try either option:

• Open Preview, choose "File > Open", select the PDF or image, and click "Open".
• In Finder, Control-click or right-click the file, choose "Open With", and select "Preview".

When the file opens this way, Preview itself is working. You can then check the file's default app through "Get Info" if needed.

Method 5: Test Another PDF or Image

Testing another file can help determine whether the problem affects Preview itself or only the original PDF or image. Do this before making further changes to the app or macOS.

Open a local PDF and a common image, such as a JPEG or PNG, that you have successfully opened before.

• If other files open normally, Preview is probably working. Skip to "What to Do If Only One PDF or Image Won't Open in Preview" part.
• If other files also fail, continue with the macOS update and troubleshooting steps below.

A problem with one file does not necessarily mean something is wrong with Preview.

Method 6: Update macOS

Preview is built into macOS, so fixes and improvements come through macOS updates rather than a separate Preview download from the App Store.

Back up your important files before updating, then follow these steps:

• Choose "Apple menu > System Settings".

• Select "General > Software Update".

  

• Install any available update and follow the onscreen instructions.

• After your Mac restarts, open Preview and test the same PDF or image again.

If you are running macOS 27 beta, also check the dedicated macOS 27 section below. Problems that occur only on a beta version may be related to the beta itself. Here's how to prepare your Mac for macOS update guide.

Method 7: Test Preview in Safe Mode

Safe Mode can help when Preview keeps crashing or fails with multiple files. It starts your Mac with only essential software, which can help identify whether other software loaded at startup is causing the problem.

For a Mac with Apple silicon:

• Shut down your Mac.

• Press and hold the power button until startup options appear.

• Select the startup disk.

• Hold Shift, then click "Continue in Safe Mode".

  

• Sign in and test Preview.

For an Intel-based Mac:

• Restart or turn on your Mac.

• Immediately hold Shift until the login window appears.

• Sign in, then test Preview.

If Preview works in Safe Mode, software that loads when your Mac starts may be causing the problem. Restart normally and check recently added login items or system extensions.

Method 8: Test Preview in Another User Account

Another macOS user account can help determine whether the problem is limited to your current account. This is useful when the previous fixes have not solved the issue.

• Open "System Settings > Users & Groups".

• Add a standard user account and complete the requested authentication.

  

• Sign out of your current account and sign in to the new one.

• Open Preview and test a PDF and image that worked before.

If Preview works in the other account, the problem is probably limited to your usual user account. If Preview fails in both accounts, the issue may be related to macOS or Preview itself. You can provide this information if you contact Apple Support.

What to Do If Only One PDF or Image Won't Open in Preview?

When other PDFs and images open normally but one file does not, the problem is more likely related to that file. Check whether it is fully downloaded, uses the correct format, or can be opened in another app.

Check Whether the File Is Fully Downloaded

A partially downloaded or cloud-only file may appear in Finder before all of its data is available. If the file came from a browser, email, messaging app, or cloud service, download it again to a local folder and try opening the new copy with Preview.

Check the File Format and Extension

A .pdf, .jpg, or .png extension does not always mean the file is actually in that format. Select the file in Finder, choose "File > Get Info", and check "Kind". You can also try opening a copy in another trusted app.

Create a Copy Before Repairing or Editing the File

Make a copy before repairing, converting, or editing a file that may be damaged. If another trusted app can open the copy, export it as a new file and check that important content such as forms, signatures, annotations, or image quality is preserved.

What to Do If Preview Wont Save, Edit, or Annotate?

When a file opens in Preview but cannot be saved, edited, or annotated, the problem may be related to the file rather than the app. Try saving a new copy, checking file permissions, and reviewing any PDF restrictions.

Save or Export a New Copy

Try saving or exporting the document as a new file in a local folder. Reopen the new copy and make a small edit or annotation to see whether the change can be saved. Keep the original file until you confirm the new copy works correctly.

Check File and PDF Permissions

Select the file, right-click on it to select "Get Info", and check "Sharing & Permissions". Make sure your account has permission to read and write the file. Change these settings only when you own the file or have permission to modify it.

Check Whether the PDF Is Locked or Restricted

Some PDFs are password-protected or restrict editing, copying, printing, or annotations. Check whether the file is locked and unlock it only if you have permission and the required password. Also note that Preview can annotate PDFs but does not work like a full PDF editor for directly changing existing PDF text.

What If Important PDFs or Images Are Missing on Mac?

If you cannot find the PDF or image at all, the problem may not be with Preview. Check the original folder, Trash, iCloud or other cloud storage, backups, and any external drive or SD card where the file may have been saved.

If the file is still missing and you do not have a usable backup, 4DDiG Mac Data Recovery can scan your Mac or a connected storage device for lost or deleted PDFs, images, and other files.

• Download and open 4DDiG. Select the drive where the missing PDF or image was stored, then start the scan.

  

• Wait while 4DDiG scans the selected drive. Use the file type filters or search to find the missing PDF or image.

  

• Preview the files found by the scan. Select the files you need, then click the "Recover" button.

  

• Save the recovered files to a different location to avoid overwriting other recoverable data on the original drive.

  

When to Reinstall macOS or Contact Apple?

Consider contacting Apple Support when Preview still fails with multiple PDFs and images after updating macOS and testing Safe Mode or another user account. Getting help is also a good idea if Finder or other built-in apps are not working normally or your Mac frequently crashes.

If Apple recommends reinstalling macOS, back up your important files first. You can reinstall macOS through macOS Recovery without erasing the startup disk. Follow Apple's current macOS reinstallation instructions for the correct steps.

Reinstalling macOS is different from erasing the startup disk and performing a clean installation. Do not erase your Mac as a routine fix for Preview problems.

FAQs About Preview Not Working on Mac

Why is Preview not opening on my Mac?

Preview may not open because the app is frozen, macOS has a temporary issue, or the PDF or image itself has a problem. Quit and reopen Preview first, restart your Mac, and test another file. If other files open normally, troubleshoot the original file instead.

Why does Preview open images but not PDFs?

If Preview opens images but not PDFs, the problem is more likely related to the PDF files than the Preview app itself. Try another PDF, download the affected file again, and check whether it is incomplete, damaged, password-protected, or restricted.

Why does Preview keep crashing?

Preview may keep crashing because of a temporary app or macOS issue, startup software, or a problem with a specific file. Restart your Mac and update macOS first. If Preview crashes with multiple PDFs and images, test it in Safe Mode or another user account.

Why won't Preview let me edit or highlight a PDF?

Preview may not let you edit or highlight a PDF if the file is locked, password-protected, restricted, or contains scanned images instead of selectable text. Preview supports PDF annotations, but it cannot directly edit existing PDF text like a full PDF editor.

Is Preview the same as Quick Look on Mac?

No. Preview and Quick Look are different macOS features. Preview is an app for opening and working with PDFs and images, while Quick Look lets you quickly view a selected file in Finder by pressing the Space bar.

Conclusion

When Preview is not working on Mac, start with simple fixes such as reopening the app, restarting your Mac, and testing another PDF or image. If only one file is affected, check the file itself before moving on to Safe Mode, another user account, or macOS reinstallation.

If an important PDF or image is missing rather than simply failing to open, 4DDiG for Mac can help scan your Mac or connected storage device for lost or deleted files.