You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Ziruss
Ziruss Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Preview will not open PDFs macOS Sierra

Early 2015 13" MBP Retina

Sierra 10.12.1

Preview 9.0 (909.6)


For a couple weeks now, Preview has refused to open PDF files. It will, however, open images (PNG, Jpeg, etc.) only will not open pdf files. with Preview closed, I will double click to open a PDF, preview will fire up, but will not open the PDF (only opens the finder window to select a file to open).


Events leading up to this issue:


updated mac OS (preview works at this point)

downloaded PDFBookmarks lite

PDFBookmarks changed default PDF reader.

right clicked pdf > get info > open with: preview > change all...

Attempted to open PDF with Preview, and nothing opens.


I Suspect this issue has to do with a mix of macOS sierra not being friendly with preview (as seen with other posts on the forum) and the deselecting of Preview as default PDF reader.


My question is, does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get Preview working again? This is a very important app for me while in school and would really like to use it again.


What I have tried:

http://macdrug.com/fix-if-preview-crashes-when-opening-files-such-as-pdf-or-imag e-in-os-x/

Why won't PDF files open anymore?(linc davis' solution)


Neither helped.


Thank in advance for any help on this

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch,Early 2015), macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Nov 18, 2016 3:14 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,879 points

Posted on Nov 18, 2016 3:17 PM

Possible Fixes for OS X Installations


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


  1. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  2. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  3. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
  4. Repair the disk by booting the from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volumeentry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and returnto the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  5. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  6. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continuebutton.
View in context
1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,879 points

Nov 18, 2016 3:17 PM in response to Ziruss

Possible Fixes for OS X Installations


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


  1. Resetting your Mac’s PRAM and NVRAM
  2. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  3. Start the computer in Safe Mode, then restart normally. This is slower than a standard startup.
  4. Repair the disk by booting the from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volumeentry from the side list. Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and returnto the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  5. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.
  6. Erase and Install OS X Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
  2. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry) from the Device list.
  3. Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  4. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  6. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  7. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continuebutton.
Reply

Preview will not open PDFs macOS Sierra

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up