Troubleshoot: “hmm… looks like this file doesn’t have a preview we can show you.” in SharePoint

When you encounter the message “Hmm… looks like this file doesn’t have a preview we can show you” in SharePoint, it means that SharePoint is unable to generate a preview for the particular file. This issue can arise due to various reasons, including unsupported file types, browser issues, or SharePoint settings.

Troubleshooting Checklist

Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

1. Check the file format:
   • Make sure the file format is supported by SharePoint for preview. SharePoint supports previews for common file types like Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, images, and certain video formats.
   • If the file format is not supported, you may need to download the file to view its contents.
2. Check the file size:
   • SharePoint has a file size limit for previews. If the file exceeds the size limit, SharePoint may not generate a preview. Also, check if the file size is 0 KB!
   • The default file size limit for previews is 2 GB, but it can be configured by the SharePoint administrator.
3. Look for Corruption or Special Characters
   • Files that are corrupted or have names with special characters can sometimes cause issues with previews. Try renaming the file to remove any unusual characters and re-upload it to SharePoint.
   • If you suspect the file is corrupted, attempt to open it locally and save a new copy if possible.
4. Verify Browser Compatibility:
   • Ensure you’re using a web browser that’s compatible with SharePoint and OneDrive. Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox are generally well-supported.
   • If you’re using an outdated browser version or a less common browser, try accessing the file with one of the recommended browsers.
5. Check the file permissions:
   • Verify that you have the necessary permissions to access and view the file.
   • If you don’t have the required permissions, contact the SharePoint site owner or administrator to grant you access.
6. Try refreshing the page or clearing the browser cache:
   • Sometimes, a simple refresh of the page or clearing the browser cache can resolve preview issues.
   • Press Ctrl+F5 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac) to refresh the page and clear the cache.
7. Upload the file again:
   • If none of the above steps resolve the preview issue, try uploading the file again to the SharePoint library.
   • Ensure that the file is not corrupted and is uploaded successfully.

By methodically going through these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue in SharePoint.