Finder icons don't display at size 16x16

Question

Level 4

2,593 points

Finder icons don't display at size 16x16

I can't figure out why my Finder icons (in column view, list view and icon view) don't display an image's content, when no custom icon has been applied.

In column view at text size 12 only the generic jpg, or png icon shows, but not the image content itself. If I change the text size (in view options) to 13, the icons increase in size and display correctly.

In icon view the same happens with the icons set to 16x16. As soon as I drag the slider to 20x20, or above all icons show correctly.

List view also displays the generic icons, unless the larger icon size is chosen.

I've tried removing the Finder preferences:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

I've also tried resetting the icon services cache here:

/Library/Caches/com.apple.iconservices.store

...and removing those found here:

sudo find /private/var/folders/ -name com.apple.iconservices

Permissions on the ~/Pictures folder also look the same as on clean, bare-bone installations, where the icons are shown correctly, even when only 16x16 pixels.

I'm at a loss now, of what could have happened, or what I could have done to the system that made this change.

Maybe somebody has come across this issue?

PS. There are quite a number of 3rd party imaging applications installed.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.4), (mid 2014) 15-inch

Posted on Apr 16, 2017 7:49 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Redarm Author

Level 4

2,593 points

Apr 28, 2017 8:52 AM in response to Redarm

The culprit was the Dropbox QuickLook Plugin:

~/Library/QuickLook/DropboxQL.qlgenerator

The Info.plist in this qlgenerator had 17 pixels set for the minimum thumbnail size:

Quick Look thumbnail minimum size 17

After setting it to 16 and restarting, the thumbnails did load again.

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Answer 2

Redarm Author

Level 4

2,593 points

Apr 16, 2017 9:20 AM in response to Eric Root

When you did the troubleshooting steps you posted, did you restart after doing them?

Thank you for your answer, Eric.

Yes, after each step.

While this is a long standing issue and the question refers to 10.12.4, there now is content I can't post here and has been redacted:

EtreCheck version: 3.1.5 (343)

Report generated 2017-04-16 16:43:18

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 1:59

Performance: Excellent

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Problem: No problem - just checking

Hardware Information:ⓘ

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro11,3

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-4870HQ) CPU: 4-core

16 GB RAM Not upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 204

Video Information:ⓘ

Intel Iris Pro

Color LCD 2880 x 1800

NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M - VRAM: 2048 MB

System Software:ⓘ

macOS Sierra #redacted - Time since boot: less than an hour

Disk Information:ⓘ

APPLE SSD SM0512F disk0 : (500.28 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: Yes)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 459.93 GB (36.01 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

AnotherVolume (disk0s4) /Volumes/AnotherVolume : 38.83 GB (27.44 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s5) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

USB Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Thunderbolt Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Configuration files:ⓘ

/etc/sysctl.conf - File exists but not expected

Gatekeeper:ⓘ

Anywhere

Unknown Files:ⓘ

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.skype.skype.shareagent.plist

/Applications/Skype.app/Contents/Library/LaunchServices/com.skype.skype.shareag ent.bundle/Contents/MacOS/com.skype.skype.shareagent

One unknown file found. [Check files]

Kernel Extensions:ⓘ

/Applications/ExpanDrive.app

[not loaded] com.expandrive.filesystems.strongfuse (2.8.1 - SDK 10.7 - 2016-04-29) [Support]

/Applications/Toast 14 Titanium/Toast Audio Assistant.app

[not loaded] com.Cycling74.driver.Soundflower (1.6.7 - SDK 10.7 - 2016-11-11) [Support]

/Applications/Utilities-continued/DiskWarrior.app

[not loaded] com.alsoft.Preview (5.0 - SDK 10.5 - 2015-10-23) [Support]

/Applications/Utilities-continued/TechTool Pro 8.app

[not loaded] com.micromat.driver.spdKernel (1.0 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-09-21) [Support]

[not loaded] com.micromat.driver.spdKernel-10-8 (1.0 - SDK 10.8 - 2016-09-21) [Support]

/Applications/VPNForever.app

[not loaded] net.tunnelblick.tun (20111101 (Tunnelblick build 4054) - 2016-06-13) [Support]

/Applications/Veertu Desktop.app

[not loaded] net.sf.tuntaposx.tap (20150118 - 2017-01-09) [Support]

/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.getdropbox.dropbox.kext (1.8.6 - SDK 10.11 - 2017-04-10) [Support]

[loaded] com.intel.driver.EnergyDriver (2.0 - SDK 10.9 - 2017-04-10) [Support]

~/Applications/DarwinDumper.app

[not loaded] com.coresystems.driver.DirectHW (1.3 - 2015-12-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.dong.driver.RadeonPCI (1.1.1d1 - SDK 10.7 - 2015-12-09) [Support]

[not loaded] com.rekall.driver (1.0 - SDK 10.7 - 2015-12-09) [Support]

[not loaded] org.voodoo.driver.VoodooHDA (2.8.4 - SDK 10.8 - 2015-12-09) [Support]

~/Downloads/Ostiarius.app

[not loaded] com.objective-see.OstiariusKext (1.0 - SDK 10.11 - 2016-01-15) [Support]

~/Library/Application Support/Transmit/Transmit Disk.app

[not loaded] com.panic.TransmitDisk.transmitdiskfs (4.0.0 - SDK 10.6 - 2014-10-06) [Support]

~/Library/Services/ToastIt.service/Contents/MacOS

[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0 - 2016-12-19) [Support]

System Launch Agents:ⓘ

[not loaded] 6 Apple tasks

[loaded] 173 Apple tasks

[running] 103 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[not loaded] 37 Apple tasks

[loaded] 180 Apple tasks

[running] 102 Apple tasks

Launch Agents:ⓘ

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2017-04-12) [Support]

[failed] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a2 3d420d.plist (2017-01-11) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist (2014-11-12) [Support]

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist (2016-10-26) [Support]

Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[running] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2016-01-29) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (2017-01-11) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (2017-01-11) [Support]

[running] com.adobe.agsservice.plist (2017-03-11) [Support]

[loaded] com.barebones.authd.plist (2016-02-16) [Support]

[loaded] com.charlessoft.pacifist.helper.plist (2017-02-05) [Support]

[loaded] com.cocoatech.pathfinder.SMFHelper7.plist (2015-04-30) [Support]

[loaded] com.daisydiskapp.DaisyDiskAdminHelper.plist (2016-11-27) [Support]

[loaded] com.fernlightning.fseventer.plist (2014-10-06) [Support]

[running] com.promise.BGPMain_R.plist (2016-02-18) [Support]

[loaded] com.promise.bgasched.plist (2016-02-18) [Support]

[running] com.promise.diskmonitor.plist (2016-02-18) [Support]

[running] com.promise.emaild.plist (2016-02-18) [Support]

[loaded] com.prosofteng.DriveGenius.locum.plist (2016-09-27) [Support]

[loaded] com.soma-zone.LaunchControl.Helper.plist (2017-01-17) [Support]

[loaded] com.tristan.fseventstool.plist (2017-04-07) [Support]

[running] com.tunnelbear.mac.tbeard.plist (2017-03-22) [Support]

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist (2016-10-26) [Support]

[loaded] org.wireshark.ChmodBPF.plist (2017-03-01) [Support] - /Library/Application Support/Wireshark/ChmodBPF/ChmodBPF: Executable not found!

User Launch Agents:ⓘ

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-01-12) [Support]

[loaded] com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (2017-04-15) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2017-01-14) [Support]

[loaded] com.skype.skype.shareagent.plist (2017-04-06) [Support]

[running] com.tunnelbear.mac.tbeara.plist (2017-03-22) [Support]

[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist (2016-10-19) [Support]

User Login Items:ⓘ

gfxCardStatus Application

(/Applications/Utilities-continued/gfxCardStatus.app)

iTunesHelper Application (2017-03-23)

(/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

SpeechSynthesisServer Application

(/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks /SpeechSynthesis.framework/Versions/A/SpeechSynthesisServer.app)

HardwareGrowler Application

(/Applications/Utilities-continued/HardwareGrowler.app)

ClipMenu Application

(/Applications/Utilities-continued/ClipMenu.app)

Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

GarminGpsControl: 4.2.0.0 - SDK 10.8 (2014-03-31) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2017-04-10)

JavaAppletPlugin: 15.0.1 - SDK 10.7 (2015-08-07) Check version

AdobeAAMDetect: AdobeAAMDetect 2.0.0.0 - SDK 10.7 (2014-11-12) [Support]

VLC Plugin: 2.2.2 (2016-05-06) [Support]

Safari Extensions:ⓘ

Ghostery - GHOSTERY, Inc. - https://www.ghostery.com/ (2016-03-13)

uBlock - Chris Aljoudi - https://chrismatic.io/ (2017-01-04)

Stylish - Vladimir Sobolev - http://sobolev.us/stylish (2017-03-11)

Evernote Web Clipper - Evernote Corp. - http://evernote.com (2017-03-11)

Mindful Browsing - Robin Barooah - http://www.mindfulbrowsing.com (2014-05-24)

Translate - SideTree.com - Apps for Mac and Web - http://SideTree.com/extensions.html#Translate (2016-01-30)

ClickToPlugin - Marc Hoyois - http://hoyois.github.com/safariextensions/clicktoplugin/ (2016-05-27)

Sessions - David Yoo - https://sessions-extension.github.io/Sessions/ (2016-06-25)

Save to Pocket - Read It Later, Inc. - http://getpocket.com/ (2015-11-09)

1Password (beta) - AgileBits - https://agilebits.com/onepassword (2017-04-04)

Google Scholar Button - Alex Verstak, Google - https://scholar.google.com/ (2015-11-05)

ASCPowerTools - Etresoft - http://www.etresoft.com/ascpowertools (2015-10-06)

3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ

RCDefaultApp (2009-09-20)

Perian (2013-12-11) [Support]

SwitchResX (2014-11-25) [Support]

Time Machine:ⓘ

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 459.93 GB Disk used: 423.93 GB

Destinations:

Samsung-128MB [Local]

Total size: 127.97 GB

Total number of backups: 6

Oldest backup: 06/12/2016, 00:43

Last backup: 15/12/2016, 04:52

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 127.97 GB < (Disk used 423.93 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ

24% QuickTime Player

7% WindowServer

2% kernel_task

2% fontd

0% SystemUIServer

Top Processes by Memory:ⓘ

10.38 GB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(119)

1.22 GB kernel_task

475 MB Safari

426 MB MTLCompilerService(26)

246 MB mdworker(17)

Virtual Memory Information:ⓘ

2.83 GB Available RAM

336 MB Free RAM

13.17 GB Used RAM

2.51 GB Cached files

0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information:ⓘ

Apr 16, 2017, 04:28:25 PM Self test - passed

#redacted (nothing of importance for this case as far as I can see)

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,045 points

Apr 16, 2017 10:54 AM in response to Redarm

If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

Safe Mode - About El Capitan also Sierra

Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan. also Sierra

Reply

Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

684,045 points

Apr 16, 2017 8:24 AM in response to Redarm

When you did the troubleshooting steps you posted, did you restart after doing them?

Try running this program in your normal account, then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy Report” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,722 points

Apr 16, 2017 8:29 AM in response to Redarm

The icon Preview is limited to minimum resolutions and that varies by content type.

Form me, PDFs don't show at 16x16, but PNGs do (albeit completely useless).

Playing a Movie Preview in the icon seems limited to 64x64.

I don't know if those minimums are affected by a Retina display Mac.

Reply

Answer 6

Redarm Author

Level 4

2,593 points

Apr 16, 2017 9:26 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks Barney,

Seems I forgot to mention that the icons in question are of the format png, jpg, psd, etc. (image icons) and if I navigate to the same folder from a different volume (with a near bare-bone installation), the icons are displayed correctly.

In column view the icons also seem 16x16 and are not "completely useless" to me - maybe soon though, as my eyesight worsens.

It doesn't seem to be an issue with retina not being able to display this size, since other volumes display it correctly at 16x16. Just this volume in question only goes down to 20x20 and I wonder why this would be.

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Answer 7

Redarm Author

Level 4

2,593 points

Apr 16, 2017 11:14 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks Eric,

but safe boot also doesn't revive the icons. It seems to be some kind of permanent issue (maybe some conflict with a 3ʳᵈ party app, some hidden setting, or even a bug), which even persists through safe boots, upgrades, or even running the full installer over it.

Why there would be a difference in the cache for 16x16 icons and 20x20 icons also is a mystery to me.

PS. Maybe I should also mention that every so often (not always, but rarely) a couple of newly made screenshots (e.g. on the Desktop) do show a preview icon, when navigating to it in a Finder window, but they soon after also revert to generic icons as well.

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Answer 8

Redarm Author

Level 4

2,593 points

Apr 16, 2017 12:15 PM in response to Redarm

...and removing those found here:

sudo find /private/var/folders/ -name com.apple.iconservices

This finds now two folders. The locked folder in...

/private/var/folders/zz/zyxvpxvq6csfxvn_n0000000000000/C/com.apple.iconservices/

...is empty. So no "store.index" was redone there for some reason (that's a couple of days later).

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