why are image thumbnails not displaying in finder since updating to sequoia on my m1 MacBook pro

I have the same problem. But when I open each of the jpeg individually in preview, and hit save, now I notice they are all showing up in my Finder but the .jpg became .png. I have Mac Sequoia. Hope these work for you guys as well.

I reported the issue to Apple at this link: Product Feedback - Apple - there's an option for macOS and I added a link to this discussion so they can see the screenshots, because there's no option to upload one on the feedback form.

It may help if everyone who has posted here reports the issue, too. It would be great to have this fixed sooner than later.

Another odd twist ...

I noticed that a Finder image icon disappeared after I rotated an image using a Quick Action. Strangely, increasing the size of the icon in the window displayed the image while restoring its original size removed it. Subsequent rotations restored the icon.

- Pie Lover

Also seconding this. Recently upgraded to Sequoia 15.2 and now Finder is unable to show thumbnail images for PNG files. JPG and every other format seem to be okay, but for some reason no thumbs on PNG files.

I deleted everything in my ~/Library/Caches/ folder; re-indexed all my drives, restarted. If I do the 'Convert Image' to JPG in the Preview pane, that works... but that's because the Finder creates a new JPG file and the PNG remains the same.

Are there different PNG 'formats'? Other info that might be noteworthy: If I bring the PNG into Photoshop and export it to PNG (both 'Quick Export' and through the 'Export As' dialogue box), then the image's thumbnail appears. However, if I bring the PNG into Photoshop and simply save it as I close it, then there is no thumbnail image.

Thank you.

iMac Pro 2017

2.5 GHZ 14-Core Intel Xeon W

Radeon Pro Vega 64 16 GB

64 GB 2666 MHZ DDR4 RAM

Sequoia 15.2

For the case of missing QuickLook thumbnails for RAW image files, see FYI: Generate custom Finder icon for RAW images. This approach uses Adobe DNG Converter and ExifTool to create custom Finder icons for RAW image files (supported by Camera Raw). If interested, please follow the links contained as well as viewing the notes in the set RAW Preview README file.

Finder preferentially displays the custom thumbnail icon in place of the default image icon. I use this approach to workaround a problem related to excessive CPU usage by the macOS ImageThumbnailExtension process for HDR-PQ CR3 (Canon RAW) images (this issue persists in Sequoia 15.3.2).

- Pie Lover

Make sure this View/Show View Option is set for each folder you're having problems with as shown below:

Thanks for the "vintage" screenshot. :-) BTW, rotating an image back and forth (press option) using a Finder Quick Action might also work:

- Pie Lover

I've been having a similar issue. Asked this community, but no answers (Trouble with Preview and Quick Look).

Similarly to Alenem, if I move the files in question to a new folder, the downloads folder, the desktop, or even the trash, image thumbnails and QuickLook work as expected.

I've had this issue since 2 updates prior to Sequoia. I was hopeful that Sequoia would have fixed it, but it didn't.

Apple has blocked third-party QuickLook, which is very bad, as there were some for quick viewing of 3D files, the same for other formats, some will have updates from the apps, but for many it will be impossible. Apple takes another step back for professionals...

I just updated to Sequoia 15.1 and noticed the missing thumbnail issue. It's possible that I haven't waited long enough for the thumbnails to appear in Finder.

A while ago, I wrote an Automator script (see FYI: Generate custom Finder icon for RAW … - Apple Community) to create custom thumbnails for RAW file types that macOS doesn't recognize. The script makes use Adobe DNG Converter and Exiftool. With some work, it would be possible to adapt the script to macOS supported file types. Automator itself can generate thumbnail-sized images for supported file types avoiding the need for DNG Converter.

- Pie Lover

The issue of missing icon previews began in Ventura, but there was a plist workaround, which offered a temporary fix. However, this workaround was removed in Sonoma, and it appears they have doubled-down in Sequoia. This change significantly impacts my workflow as a long-time Mac designer. They must really want to get rid of us. If any Mac engineers are reading this, unless you want a mass-exodus... DO BETTER!

Still experiencing the issue that I reported (originally for Sequoia 15.1 in November 2024) with the latest Sequoia 15.4 update (see why are image thumbnails not displaying i… - Apple Community for workaround).

- Pie Lover

Well it is still an issue Sequoia V 15.4.1. I have copied from internal HDD to NAS system, still no thumbnails. Looks to be the Canon cr3 files. Well these are the ones I am looking at. .jpgs are looking okay

Same issue. I Airdropped 16 photos from iPhone to MacBook Air with M1 chip, opened the .heic files in Preview and exported them as .jpegs. Half of them end up with the generic icon. This happens repeatedly, and restarting finder or blowing away the cache does not help. reboot does not help, but these are the only suggestions provided by Apple support. Please at least confirm the issue @APPLE.