Preview won't open - M1 MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 Monterey 12.4

EtreCheckPro version: 6.6 (66014)

Report generated: 2022-05-23 14:25:54

Download EtreCheckPro from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime: 1:39

Performance: Excellent

Problem: Other problem

Description: 

Preview app does not load or display

Minor Issues:

  These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement. 

Q - Stuck iCloud - This computer has pending iCloud transfers.

Q -  iCloud Status: 45 pending files

A - Would suggest signing out of iCloud completely, restart the computer and sign back into iCloud. We are attempting to force and iCloud transfer 

Q -  Clean up - There are orphan files that could be removed.

A - Refer to later in this report entitled “ Clean up “

Q - 1 - Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.

Q - 2  x86-only Apps - This computer has x86-only apps might not work on future versions of the operating system. 

Q - 3 Old Applications:  108 x86-only apps

A - The  Q -1 & Q -2  & Q - 3 above are related and only the User can review and either update / upgrade or find Replacement Applications.

Q - System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

A - Running with such a heavily Modified System may have put the the computer in a compromised state with unintended consequences such as the Preview Application not functioning

Hardware Information:

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)

Drives:

Q - disk0 - APPLE SSD AP1024R 1.00 TB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) 

Q - 994.66 GB (Shared - 828.15 GB used, 183.26 GB available, 148.70 GB free)

    APFS    Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data    Encrypted

A - It is suggested to keep at least 15%  to 20% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.

This SSD is well below the suggested Empty Space  suggestion for expansion and good operations.

Q - Little Snitch Agent.app   3 notifications

A - This application maybe related to the iCloud Sync issue of 45 Pending uploads

Q  -  Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist

    Executable: /opt/X11/lib/X11/xinit/privileged_startx -d /opt/X11/lib/X11/xinit/privileged_startx.d

    Details: Exact match found in the legitimate list - probably OK

A - https://www.xquartz.org/releases/XQuartz-2.8.1.html and there is a lot of macOS Versions between macOS 10.9 or later Monterey macOS 12

Q - Kernel Extensions:

  /Applications/VMware Fusion.app

    [Not Loaded] VMwareVMCI.kext - com.vmware.kext.vmci (11.1.0)

    [Not Loaded] vmioplug.kext - com.vmware.kext.vmioplug.18.1.2 (11.1.0)

    [Not Loaded] vmnet.kext - com.vmware.kext.vmnet (11.1.0)

    [Not Loaded] vmmon.kext - com.vmware.kext.vmx86 (11.1.0)

A - https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-Fusion/12/com.vmware.fusion.using.doc/GUID-84E34BF1-92A2-4B86-9995-70893A9B04A9.html

User Login Items:

Q - [Not Loaded] CCC User Agent (Bombich Software, Inc. - installed 2022-04-29)

    Modern Login Item

    /Applications/Carbon Copy Cloner.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/CCC User Agent.app

 A - Good and use it for years. The Go To in my books.

Q - Clean up: A Lot of removed applications with Elements of them still on the computer

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.helper.service.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/HelperService/HelperService

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.launcher.setup.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/LauncherSetup/LauncherSetup

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.admin.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/Admin/AdminUpdate

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.protocol.status.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/ProtocolStatus/ProtocolStatus

    Executable not found

  /Library/LaunchAgents/com.xrite.colormunkid.plist

    /Library/Frameworks/XRiteColorCore.framework/Versions/A/Resources/colormunkid

    Executable not found

  /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.fing.service.plist

    /Applications/Fing.app/Contents/Resources/service/fing

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.update.PrimeVPN.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/PrimeVPN/PrimeVPNSoftwareUpdateAgent

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.protocol.port.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/ProtocolPort/ProtocolPort

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.bundle.agent.plist

    ~/Library/Application Support/BundleAgent/BundleAgent

    Executable not found

  ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.myheritage.familytreebuilder.checkupdates.plist

    com.myheritage.familytreebuilder.checkupdates

    Executable not found

Yup Preview Version 11.0 (1033.4) on Monterey 12.4 is the right version

1 - Suggest restarting in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.

2 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.

3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?

Hum - before moving forwards, have a very very recent Time Machine Backup On-Hand.

1 - Open Activity Monitor open and View >> View ALL Processes enabled.

2 - In the below image type Preview which will bring up Only the " Preview " Process if it is loaded though not functioning. and Force Quit as per image below.

3 - With Preview closed, SHIFT click the icon in Applications folder. This is a Safe Boot of only the Preview Application.

If it works great. Close Preview again and try a normal Launch.

Still works - presto and ready for a normal day at the Office.

Should none of above work >>

Restart the computer in Recovery Mode

A - Intel computer >> Command + r and choose the Reinstall macOS.

B - Apple Silicon M1 computer is a different method >> Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon

This will download and install the Operating System and replace any corrupted or missing elements of the OS.

Sometimes referred to as an " In Place Installation ".

In theory, it will not touch your Personal Files, Preferences, Applications or Setting

Nope and not yet.

This will be dependent on you comfort level.

Suggest downloading the Application Etrecheck directly from a well Respected ASC Contributor. And Safe to use.

The application is free or paid from added features. 

Run the application with Full Disc Access ( Security & Privacy - Full Disc Access ).

It will take a Snap Shot -  both the hardware and software.

 The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last )

We can have a look at the report for possible issues and may have possible suggestions to resolve the issues.

Thanks and having a look and get back to you soon