Image problem : Can't Open with... Preview

Question

On Mojave 10.14.6, selecting jpgs on a server but I can't use Open with... > Preview

Preview is the default app for jpgs, and 'Open with' is working fine with other file types and apps.

Any idea what's the cause and fix?

What does Get Info show for one of the affected files? What is the file extension: .jpg or .jpeg? — IconDaemon, Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:06
The filename extension is .JPG, and in Get Info > Kind : JPEG — Splambo, Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:15
Can you copy one of these images off the server and onto your desktop to confirm if that works or not? — drivec, Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:16
I get : The operation can't be completed because one or more required items can't be found. (Error code -43) — Splambo, Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:43
Do any of these files contain special characters or are they simply alphanumeric? — drivec, Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:57

dxdc · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-18 17:28:48Z

1

There are two possible issues at play here.

The first is a file association issue. If you right-click the file, and choose Open With, does it show Preview (default) at the top? If not, then it's a file association issue.

The second is either a) file permissions issue; or b) corrupt file. For instance, you may be able to view the file listing on the remote share, but not actually access the file itself. To verify that either of these issues are not a concern, copy the remote file to your Desktop and try to open it locally. If you get an error copying the file, then you know it is a file permissions/accessibility issue. If you can copy it, but it fails to open properly in Preview, then you just have a corrupt file.

answered Sep 18, 2019 at 17:28

dxdc

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As written in the question and in comments, Preview is the default and I can't copy to finder (error -43).
– Splambo
Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 22:22
@SamuelMartin OK. In that case, the issue is #2 as I described. It has nothing to do with Preview. The fact is that you're unable to access the file at all. This external drive - is it formatted as a Windows drive? Are you able to access other files in the same folder? It sounds like either a corrupt drive, a permissions issue, or something related.
– dxdc
Commented Sep 19, 2019 at 3:26

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Steve Chambers · Accepted Answer · 2019-09-18 14:51:44Z

0

Delete the following folder from your Library of the user. To see the hidden Library, try the keyboard combination of CommandShift .

Containers/com.apple.Preview

Containers/com.apple.quicklook.ui.helper

Restart and test.

Steve Chambers

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answered Sep 18, 2019 at 14:42

Udhy

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Deleted /Users/username/Library/Containers/com.apple.Preview and /Users/username/Library/Containers/com.apple.quicklook.ui.helper Rebooted. Finder is now crashing repeatedly. Rainbow wheel and (not responding).
– Splambo
Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:54
Have you rebooted your computer?
– drivec
Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:57
Yes. I edited my comment above to include 'Rebooted'.
– Splambo
Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 14:58
The two folders were unexistent after restart. I opened Preview, found a jpeg on another disk and did a quick preview. Restarted. The com.apple.Preview folder is back. Finder crashes when accessing the disk on which my problem jpegs are sitting.
– Splambo
Commented Sep 18, 2019 at 15:06

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2 Answers 2