File Icon Preview Thumbnails Not Showing on MacOS

Struggling with file icon preview thumbnails not exhibiting in your Mac? This can occur as a result of settings or an outdated macOS.

We’ll information you thru easy options to repair this problem and get your thumbnails back.

Let’s begin!

1. Ensure That the Entire File is Downloaded

If the icon preview of a file isn’t exhibiting on the Finder menu, the very very first thing that you must do is examine whether or not all the file is downloaded or not.

Regardless of the browser you’re using, if the file or media remains to be downloading, its thumbnail gained’t present on Finder until the obtain course of is full. 

However, in case you’re positive that the information are absolutely downloaded, however the file icon preview thumbnails are nonetheless not exhibiting on macOS, head to the following technique from this information to repair it. 

2. Enable Icon Preview
The older macOS variations displayed a easy file icon somewhat than thumbnail images. But with the newer OS X variations, Apple has enabled the file icon preview thumbnails by default.
So, in case you’ve by accident tweaked this characteristic off, it might be the explanation behind the File icon preview thumbnails not exhibiting on macOS. 
Here’s how to toggle on the icon preview characteristic on Mac: 

Click on Finder from the dock.
Go to View from the menu bar on the high of the display.
Then, choose Show View Options from the listing.

Click on the Show icon preview field to allow it.

After that, return to the Finder menu to see the file icon preview thumbnails. 
3. Force Quit and Relaunch Finder

Occasionally, a short lived glitch within the Finder app might be the explanation behind the difficulty of File icon preview thumbnails not displaying on macOS.

If you’ve already activated the icon preview characteristic however nonetheless face the issue, attempt force-quitting the Finder app. Then, relaunch it after a brief pause, which can resolve the difficulty:

1. Click on Finder in your Mac.
2. Then, go to Applications.
3. Locate the Utilities folder and double-click on it.
4. From there, launch the Activity Monitor by double-clicking on it.

5. Go to view from the Activity Monitor’s menu bar.
6. Now, click on on All Processes.
7. Search for ‘com.apple.quicklook.ThumbnailsAgent’ within the search bar positioned on the high proper nook and press the Enter key.
8. Click on the outcome and choose the X icon on the taskbar.

9. A dialog field will seem. From there, click on on the Force Quit button.
10. After that, go to the Apple menu and click on on Force Quit Activity Monitor.
11. Choose Finder from the listing of purposes and choose Relaunch.

Now, you must be capable of see the file icon preview thumbnails within the Finder menu. If not, transfer to the next technique to resolve your downside. 

5. Ensure You Have an Active Internet Connection

A secure web connection is important for viewing file thumbnails on macOS.

First, it’s wanted to completely obtain information from the web to see their previews. Second, for cloud storage information in Finder (like Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive), a continuing web connection is critical as a result of these information aren’t saved domestically.

If you’re going through points, examine your web velocity. Switching to a 5GHz Wi-Fi band can enhance connectivity and assist resolve the thumbnail preview problem.

6. Regenerate Finder PLIST File

The Finder PLIST information on Mac retailer your app preferences, however they’ll typically get corrupted and should be deleted to repair points with Finder.

To resolve the File icon preview thumbnails not exhibiting on macOS, attempt deleting the Finder PLIST file using the steps beneath:

1. First, launch Finder in your Mac.
2. Next, choose Go from the menu bar.
3. Click on Go to Folder from the listing of choices.

4. Then, enter the next command:

~/Library/Preferences

5. Look for the ‘com.apple.finder.plist’ file and right-click on it.
6. Select the Move to Bin choice.

7. After that, press Command + Shift + Delete to empty your Mac bin.
8. A affirmation field will seem on the display. Click on the Empty Trash button to substantiate.
9. Lastly, reboot your Mac. The rebooting course of will regenerate the Finder PLIST File.

Once finished, examine in case you can see the icon preview thumbnails for information on the Finder menu. 

7. Activate Safe Mode. 

Another troubleshooting technique which will assist resolve the file icon preview not working is besides your Mac in Safe Mode.

This method, you may decide if the difficulty was brought on by any apps which will have interfered with the Finder app performance.

Ffollow the steps beneath to activate Safe Mode. For an Apple Silicon Mac:

1. First, go to the Apple menu, then choose Shut Down to energy off your Mac.

2. Once the Mac is totally shut down, press and maintain the Power button to show in your Mac.
3. Let go of the Power button when you see the Startup choices seem on the display.
4. Then, select your Startup disc.
5. Press and maintain down the Shift key as you click on on Continue in Safe Mode.

6. Finally, register to your Mac.

For an Intel Processor Mac:

1. Press the Power button to show in your Mac.
2. As your Mac restarts, press and maintain down the Shift key.

3. Once the Login window seems, let go of the Shift key and register to your Mac. You have now activated Boot Mode.

Once in Safe Mode, examine in case you can preview thumbnails of information on macOS. If not, transfer to the following technique talked about on this information. 

8. Clear Cache by way of Terminal Command

If the file icon preview thumbnails are lacking for each the Finder and Mac docks, the difficulty could also be widespread. For this purpose, think about clearing the cache using the beneath Terminal instructions to shortly resolve the issue:

1. First, press the Command + Space shortcut keys out of your keyboard to launch Terminal.
2. Run the next instructions one after the other:

qlmanage -r cache

qlmanage -r

killall com.apple.quicklook.ThumbnailsAgent

killall Dock

Make positive to press Enter after every command to run it. This will clear the cache and repair the File icon preview thumbnails not exhibiting on macOS.

9. Update macOS. 

Occasionally, Apple releases patch updates to introduce new options and eradicate numerous bugs.

So, in case you’re going through the File icon preview thumbnails not exhibiting on macOS problem, think about checking if there’s a macOS update. If there’s one obtainable, update your Mac and see if it fixes the issue. 

1. Go to the Apple menu on the high left nook of the display.
2. Next, click on on System Preferences.

3. Once the window opens, choose Software Update.
4. If there may be any pending update, click on on Upgrade Now.

Since updating your macOS could take some time, we propose you absolutely cost your Mac and connect with a robust web connection earlier than beginning the downloading course of.

This sums up our information on how to repair File icon preview thumbnails not exhibiting on macOS. If you’ve any queries, be at liberty to make use of the feedback part beneath. We’ll be completely happy to help you additional.