How to Fix “This File Cannot Be Previewed” Error in Windows 11: Complete Troubleshooting Steps

Windows 11 offers a convenient preview pane to quickly view files without opening them. However, sometimes you may encounter the frustrating message: “This file cannot be previewed.” This error prevents you from seeing the content of certain files directly in File Explorer.

There are several reasons why this issue happens, including unsupported file types, corrupted preview handlers, or system glitches. The good news is that most causes can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps.

In this guide, we will walk you through easy-to-follow methods to resolve the “This file cannot be previewed” error on Windows 11. Whether you are dealing with PDFs, images, or documents, these solutions will help.

Let’s begin by checking a few quick things to ensure your system is ready for previewing files.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

File Type Support: Ensure the file type you want to preview is supported by Windows preview handlers. Common formats like PDFs, images, and Office documents are usually supported.
File Integrity: Verify that the file is not corrupted by opening it in its native application (e.g., Adobe Reader for PDFs).
Preview Pane Enabled: Confirm that the Preview Pane is turned on in File Explorer. You can enable it by clicking the View tab and selecting Preview pane.
System Updates: Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date via Windows Update for the latest fixes and feature improvements.

Step 1: Restart File Explorer

Sometimes, preview issues occur due to temporary glitches in File Explorer. Restarting it can clear minor bugs and refresh the preview function.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Find Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
Right-click on it and select Restart.
After it restarts, try previewing your file again.

This simple step often resolves temporary preview problems without further intervention.

Step 2: Check Preview Handlers Settings

Preview handlers are the components that enable file previews in Windows. If they are disabled or malfunctioning, files won’t preview.

Open File Explorer and click the View tab.
Click Options on the right, then select Change folder and search options.
Go to the View tab in the Folder Options window.
Make sure the box for Show preview handlers in preview pane is checked.
Click Apply and then OK.
Try previewing the file again.

If this option is disabled, Windows won’t show previews even for supported files.

Step 3: Clear and Rebuild Thumbnail Cache

Corrupted thumbnail cache can interfere with file previews. Clearing and rebuilding it can fix preview errors.

Press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
In the Disk Cleanup window, select your system drive (usually C:).
Check the box for Thumbnails.
Click OK to delete the cached thumbnails.
Restart your computer to let Windows rebuild the cache.

After restarting, try to preview the files again to see if the issue is fixed.

Step 4: Repair or Reset the Associated App

File previews often rely on the default app associated with that file type. If the app is damaged, previews may fail.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to Apps > Installed apps.
Find the app associated with your file type (e.g., Microsoft Word for DOCX files, Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDFs).
Click the three dots next to the app and select Modify or Advanced options.
Choose Repair. If repair doesn’t work, try Reset.
Once done, check if the preview works.

Repairing or resetting the app fixes corrupted files or settings that can block previews.

Step 5: Use an Alternative Preview Handler

If Windows’ default preview handler doesn’t support a file type well, you can install third-party preview handlers designed for that format.

For PDFs: Install Adobe Acrobat Reader, which integrates a reliable preview handler.
For Office files: Ensure Microsoft Office is installed properly.
For images and videos: Use media codecs or preview handlers like QuickLook or Seer.

After installation, restart your PC and try previewing the files again.

Step 6: Check File Permissions

Files with restricted permissions may not preview correctly. Verify that you have sufficient rights to access the file.

Right-click on the file and select Properties.
Go to the Security tab.
Check if your user account has Read permission.
If not, click Edit and grant Read permission.
Click Apply and OK.

Insufficient permissions can cause the preview feature to fail silently.

FAQs

Why does Windows say “This file cannot be previewed”?

This message appears when Windows can’t generate a preview for the file, often due to unsupported file types, corrupted preview handlers, or permission issues.

How do I enable the preview pane in Windows 11?

Open File Explorer, click the View menu, and select Preview pane. This activates the preview pane on the right side.

Can I preview PDF files without Adobe Reader?

Windows has a built-in PDF preview handler, but some PDFs may require Adobe Reader for full preview functionality.

Will resetting the default app affect my files?

No, resetting or repairing the app only affects the app’s settings. Your files remain unchanged.

Is it safe to clear the thumbnail cache?

Yes, clearing the thumbnail cache only deletes temporary image previews. Windows will rebuild it automatically.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still see the “This file cannot be previewed” error, consider these final options:

Run System File Checker: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files.
Create a New User Profile: Sometimes user profile corruption causes preview issues.
Use Third-Party File Managers: Apps like Total Commander or Directory Opus offer built-in preview options.
Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support page for advanced assistance.

Conclusion

The “This file cannot be previewed” error on Windows 11 is usually fixable with straightforward troubleshooting. Start with simple steps like restarting File Explorer and checking preview pane settings. Then, move on to clearing caches, repairing associated apps, and verifying permissions.

By following this guide, you should be able to restore file preview functionality for most common file types. Previewing files saves time and improves productivity, so it’s worth resolving these errors carefully. If all else fails, advanced tools and official support can provide further help.