Preview not working - using too much memory

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Level 1

8 points

Preview not working - using too much memory

Whenever I try to open anything with Preview, the system jams up and the Force Quit Applications box eventually comes up indicating "Your system has run out of application memory" and showing that Preview is "(not responding)" but using 80+ GB of memory. This happens whether I try to view a PDF, jpg or any other file that defaults to Preview. If I force quit Preview, everything runs fine, and I'm perfectly able to open up these pdfs, jpgs and other files using other programs such as browsers, etc.

I have a 2023 Mac mini M2 with 8GB memory running Ventura 13.2.1 and for the first several months since I purchased this set up Preview has worked perfectly fine -- this issue just started a couple weeks ago but won't go away.

Mac mini (M2, 2023)

Posted on Nov 12, 2023 10:18 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Brandito Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 13, 2023 12:43 PM in response to Brandito

OK - figured it out with Apple phone support. Preview was apparently caught up on something and so would not open or function normally. In order to fix it, Apple support had me open Preview using a method of holding down the Shift key while clicking on the Preview icon in my application bar. This apparently opens Preview directly and skips anything it may have cached. Once opened, it worked fine, and we then emptied the Preview "library" file folder. Best of luck everyone --

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Answer 2

PRP_53

Level 10

84,571 points

Nov 13, 2023 2:59 AM in response to Brandito

User wrote " I have a 2023 Mac mini M2 with 8GB memory running Ventura 13.2.1 "

Using the same machine that originally came with Ventura 13.4

That was October 22, 2023

Suggest follow a previous suggestion to update to macOS 13 Ventura version 13.6.2 or even possible macOS 14 Sonoma version 14.1.1

This computer flys in Sonoma and not issues with Preview in either Ventura or Now Sonoma 14.1.1

Keep your Mac up to date

Apple security releases

Suggest having at least 50 GB of Empty Space on the drive.

It will allow the Full Version ( about 12.xx GB ) to download, expand and then commence to install.

If there is Third Party Security Software installed - remove it.

It will interfere with both the download and installation process.

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Answer 3

Brandito Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:41 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks dialabrain. I upgraded to 13.6.1 and this did not help. 13.6.1 is the latest version Software Update says is available for me to update to - there is no option provided by Software Update for 13.6.2 (only other option would be to upgrade to 14.1). Any other suggestions? I would rather not upgrade to 14.1 at this time, and feel Preview should still work with Ventura.

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Answer 4

Brandito Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:45 AM in response to PRP_53

Thanks P. Phillips - I have upgraded to the most current version of Ventura that Software Update provides, which is 13.6.1, and the problem with Preview persists. I have over 380GB of hard drive storage space available. Any other suggestions?

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Answer 5

PRP_53

Level 10

84,571 points

Nov 13, 2023 12:44 PM in response to Brandito

Available Space is important

Though the real issue seems to the Amount of RAM = Memory that Preview is using.

Memory issue

Use the Activity Monitor application and make sure to use View >> View All Processes

What process or processes are using the Most CPU and Memory.

Often times - the issue maybe not a single Process alone but a combination of Processes

Also, when the computer is using so much CPU / Memory - it can be a indicator of a Lack Of Empty Spaces on the Drive.

In which case, the CPU and Memory usage would become much more because it is searching for Empty Space to save all the Changes the user is performing.

Also, it depends on the number of Open Tabs in your Browser, they can also affect CPU / Memory Usage.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

122,519 points

Nov 12, 2023 10:31 PM in response to Brandito

First, update to Ventura 13.6.2 from System Settings > General > Software Update.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

122,519 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:44 AM in response to Brandito

You're welcome. Actually 13.6.2 is only available for certain MacBook Pros and the 2023 iMac.

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Answer 8

Brandito Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 13, 2023 11:46 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks - that would explain why it's not showing as available for my Mac mini M2. Preview is not working correctly though - no solutions that I can find here yet -

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Answer 9

Brandito Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 13, 2023 12:59 PM in response to PRP_53

Thanks again P. Phillip - found the answer with Apple support, pls see answer above. Thanks again -

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Answer 10

PRP_53

Level 10

84,571 points

Nov 13, 2023 1:03 PM in response to Brandito

Yes , we were cross posting at the same time

Bravo for the solution

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