"Spacebar Preview Not Functioning on Mac, Solutions to Fix It"

Quick Look is a feature in macOS that enables users to preview the contents of files without the need to open them in a specific application. It offers a swift and efficient method to view the contents of different file formats, such as documents, images, videos, and more.

Problems with the spacebar preview function on your MacBook might occur due to conflicts with various software installed on your system. For instance, when you press the spacebar, a blue border typically surrounds the selected item, indicating a preview should appear; however, in this case, it might not behave as intended and fail to open the preview.

Even worse, when you double-click the selection to preview, there's a noticeable delay, and instead of showing a preview, an external program launches to view your selection. In this article, we'll explore six solutions to address the "Spacebar Preview not working on Mac" issue. Keep reading!

Solution 1: Fix Spacebar Preview Not Working by Restarting the Finder

某些用户通过重新启动Mac上的Finder找到了解决方案。要重建整个文件和文件夹系统，请按照以下步骤操作：

Step 1. Click on the Apple logo in the top menu bar on your Mac.

Step 2. Choose "Force Quit…" from the options, or you can use the Force Quit shortcut: Option (or Alt), Command, and Esc (Escape).

Step 3. Locate "Finder" in the list of applications. Click the "Relaunch" button.

Step 4. A message will appear asking, "Do you want to force Finder to relaunch? You will lose any unsaved changes." Proceed by clicking the "Relaunch" button.

This solution works effectively for general issues and if Quick Look shows a frozen image instead of playing a video during previews. If restarting the Finder does not solve the problem, move on to the next troubleshooting step.

Translate into English

Resolve Finder Not Responding After Sonoma Update with 5 Effective Solutions

Learn how to fix the Finder app not responding issue on macOS Sonoma. Read more >>

Solution 2: Fix Spacebar Preview Not Working via Terminal

If you experience an issue where Quick Look only shows a small thumbnail preview instead of the complete image when you press the spacebar, it might be due to a corrupted cache. To resolve this, you can reset the Quick Look caches using the Terminal following these steps:

To resolve Quick Look issues on Monterey/Ventura/Sonoma:

Step 1. Open "Terminal" from the "Applications > Utilities" folder.

Step 2. Copy and paste the qlmanage -r cache command into "Terminal," then press "Enter."

Step 3. Restart your MacBook Pro or Air.

Upon deleting the cache data, the Terminal will display a message saying, "qlmanage: call reset on cache."

Following this, verify if the issue is resolved by previewing using the spacebar. If the problem continues, you can try manually deleting the Quick Look cache files using the steps below.

Step 1. Open "Finder." Navigate to "Go" > "Go to Folder" from the top menu bar.

Step 2. Copy and paste the path below, then press "Enter" (Note: The tilde symbol represents your home folder).

~/Library/Caches/

Step 3. Locate files named "com.apple.QuickLookDaemon" and "qlmanage".

Step 4. Delete these files and empty the Trash. Then, restart your Mac.

We also provide a comprehensive video tutorial to give you further guidance on resolving the spacebar preview issue on your Mac.

• 01:05 - Open "Activity Monitor".
• 01:29 - Click on "QuickLookUIService (PID 977)".
• 01:32 - Force Quit the process and exit "Activity Monitor".

Solution 3: Restart Mac in Safe Mode to Resolve Spacebar Proview Not Working

An alternative approach to fixing the issue of the Mac spacebar preview not functioning is to start the system in Safe Mode, and then restart it normally.

Safe Mode is designed to prevent the launch of third-party software during startup, clear caches, and perform diagnostics and repairs on the Mac's hard drive.

It's crucial to note that the procedure for starting a Mac into Safe Mode differs between M1 Macs and Intel-based Macs. You'll know that you have successfully entered Safe Mode when "Safe Boot" is displayed in the menu bar.

For M1 Macs:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac and wait for it to completely shut down.

Step 2. Press and hold the power key until you see the startup options loading.

Step 3. Choose a volume.

Step 4. Press and hold the "Shift" key, then click "Continue in Safe Mode."

Step 5. Use the spacebar to preview items on your Mac. Restart your Mac.

For Intel-based Macs:

Step 1. Turn off your Mac and wait for it to completely power off.

Step 2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the "Shift" key until the login window appears.

Step 3. Log into your account (you might need to log in twice).

Step 4. Try using the Spacebar for preview on your Mac. Restart your Mac.

If you find this article informative, please share it on social media to help others learn how to resolve the issue with the Spacebar Preview not functioning on their Mac.

Solution 4: Force Quit Spacebar Preview using Activity Monitor

QuickLookUIService is the underlying process that powers Quick Look, which can be seen in the Activity Monitor. Terminating the QuickLookUIService might be helpful in fixing issues where Quick Look is not working properly on macOS versions such as Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, and others.

To achieve this,

Step 1. Open "Activity Monitor" from the "Applications > Utilities" folder.

Step 2. Search for "quicklookuiservice", and click the close icon to terminate the service.

Step 4. After that, restart your Mac. The QuickLookUIService process will automatically start up again when needed.

Solution 5: Check the File Storage Location

If you encounter the issue where MacBook's Quick Look feature is not functioning, particularly when trying to preview files using the spacebar, it might be because the file is not stored locally on your Mac.

Quick Look can only preview files that have previously been opened on your Mac. When using cloud services like iCloud, it's crucial to first click on the download icon to retrieve the file before you can use Quick Look for a preview.

For users of cloud backup services like Dropbox, which has a “Smart Sync” feature that keeps files online, ensuring instant downloads when you click to open them, there is a solution.

By adjusting the Smart Sync setting to "Local" or "Available offline," users can effortlessly download files for convenient previewing.

This can be achieved by:

Step 1. Open "Finder" and locate the "Dropbox" folder.

Step 2. Right-click on the desired folder or file and choose "Make available offline".

Solution 6: Check the Open Viewer Settings

Occasionally, the spacebar preview function works flawlessly within the Finder but fails to respond when trying to preview files in a particular application.

This issue often originates from the application's settings, where the spacebar could be assigned to alternative functions.

To verify this, you can open the app in question and examine the keyboard shortcuts, usually found under options like "Open Viewer" or "Manage Viewer" in the top-left menu bar.

For example, the Quick Look feature on a Mac might not work as expected in Mojave when previewing files in the Photos app.

This is because Apple changed the preview shortcut from the spacebar to the Return key in this particular update.

However, it's worth mentioning that Apple acknowledged this change as an error and rectified it in subsequent updates, reinstating the functionality of using the spacebar for file previews in the Photos app on macOS Monterey.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing the issue of the Spacebar Preview not functioning on your Mac entails employing a range of troubleshooting techniques.

From examining Open Viewer Settings to restarting in Safe Mode, these steps are intended to tackle various possible sources of the issue.

If you continue to experience issues after attempting these solutions, seeking professional assistance or exploring relevant user communities can offer valuable insights.

Always make sure to create backups before making significant alterations to your system. By adhering to these comprehensive steps, you can improve the functionality of Spacebar Preview on your Mac and enjoy a smooth file preview experience.

"Spacebar Preview Not Working on Mac" FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the spacebar preview not functioning on a Mac, along with their answers. Browse through them to gain more knowledge: 1. **Question**: Why doesn't the spacebar preview work when I try to preview files on my Mac? **Answer**: The spacebar preview feature, also known as Quick Look, might not work due to several reasons. It could be disabled, your system settings might be incorrect, or there might be a software issue. To resolve this, try restarting your Mac, checking if Quick Look is enabled in System Preferences, or updating your macOS to the latest version. 2. **Question**: How do I enable Quick Look on my Mac? **Answer**: To enable Quick Look, go to "System Preferences," then click on "Spotlight." In the Spotlight preferences, ensure that "Quick Look" is checked under the "Search Results" section. If it's not, check it and restart your computer. 3. **Question**: What should I do if the spacebar preview only shows a blank screen? **Answer**: A blank preview could indicate an issue with the specific file type or a software conflict. Try previewing a different file type, and if that works, there may be an issue with the original file's format. You can also try resetting the Finder by holding down the Option key while right-clicking the Finder icon in the Dock, then selecting "Relaunch." 4. **Question**: Is there any alternative to the spacebar preview on Mac? **Answer**: Yes, you can use the "Preview" app that comes pre-installed on your Mac to view files. Just open the Preview app, and drag the file you want to view into it. Alternatively, you can use third-party applications like QuickLook for a similar functionality. 5. **Question**: Can I fix the spacebar preview issue by reinstalling macOS? **Answer**: Reinstalling macOS can sometimes resolve system-wide issues, including problems with Quick Look. However, this should be your last resort, as it will erase all your personal data. Before reinstallation, make sure to back up your important files using Time Machine or another reliable backup method. These FAQs should provide a good starting point for troubleshooting the spacebar preview issue on your Mac. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Apple Support for further assistance.

1. How do I enable the spacebar preview on a Mac?

Simply select one or more items on your Mac and press the "Space bar." This action will initiate a "Quick Look" window. If you've chosen multiple items, the first item will be displayed within the Quick Look window.

2. Why isn't Quicklook working on my Mac?

If Quick Look is not functioning on your Mac, the problem might stem from several causes, including a corrupted Quick Look cache, interference from third-party software, or issues with the Finder. To address these issues, follow these steps: simultaneously press the "Option" and "Control" keys, then right-click on the "Finder" icon situated in your Mac's Dock. Next, choose "Relaunch" from the context menu. Subsequently, try using "Quick Look" again by selecting a file in Finder and pressing the "spacebar."

3. How do I enable preview on my Mac? To enable Preview on your Mac, follow these steps: 1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. 2. From the dropdown menu, select "System Preferences." 3. In the System Preferences window, click on "General." 4. Look for the option that says "Show preview thumbnail" or "Show预览缩略图" (if your system language is set to Chinese). Make sure it is checked or toggled on. 5. If you want to enable Preview for specific file types, such as PDFs or images, follow these additional steps: - Open Finder. - Select "Preferences" from the Finder menu bar (under "Finder" > "Preferences"). - In the Preferences window, go to the "View" tab. - Check the box next to "Show preview icon" and choose the file types you want to preview by selecting them under "Always open with." Now, when you browse files in Finder, you should see a preview thumbnail for the supported file types. To view a full Preview of a file, simply double-click on it, and Preview app will open.

Open a "Finder" window on your Mac by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock. Then, select the desired folder or file. If the "Preview" pane is not visible on the right side, navigate to "View" and choose "Show Preview" to activate it.