Preview files with Quick Look on your Mac

Why it happens

Quick Look shows what's inside a file in a floating window without opening an app, which is handy for photos, PDFs, documents and videos. It works when a file is selected and Finder is the active app. If you see only a big icon, your Mac can't preview that kind of file.

How to fix it

1. Click once on a file in Finder to select it. A double-click would open it instead.

2. Press the Space bar. A preview window opens.

   Finder›Space bar

3. Press the arrow keys to move to the next file while the preview stays open.

4. Press the Space bar again, or Escape, to close it.

5. For a preview that stays beside your files, choose View > Show Preview in Finder.

   Finder›View›Show Preview

Still not fixed?

1. Nothing happens? Click the file again so Finder is active, then press the Space bar. You can also choose File > Quick Look.

   Finder›File›Quick Look

2. Only an icon shows? That file type has no preview, so open it in its app instead.

3. Previews blank or stuck? Relaunch Finder: hold Option, Control-click the Finder icon in the Dock and choose Relaunch.

4. Restart your Mac to clear a preview that's stuck.

5. If Quick Look fails for every file after a restart and the latest macOS update, contact Apple Support.