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Whoops! There was a Problem Previewing this Document [Fix]
Deal with this previewing issue using our useful tips
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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One of the great things about Google Drive (GD) cloud storage is that it not only stores files but enables you to open (or preview) compatible formats.
However, someGoogle Driveusers have stated that a “Whoops! There was a problem previewing this document” error message appears when they try to open files with the GD viewer.
Google Drivethen displays aDownloadoption for the file that doesn’t open. If you’ve encountered the same GD issue, here are a few potential resolutions for it.
Google Drive won’t preview document
1. Convert the File to a Compatible Google Drive Viewer Format
First, note that theGoogle Driveviewer is compatible with a relatively limited number of file formats. As such, it might be the case that you’re trying to open an incompatible file format inGoogle Drive.
You can, of course, open nativeGoogle Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms and Drawings formats in GD. However, GD doesn’t support that many third-party software file formats.
These are some of the audio, video, image, text, Adobe, and Microsoft Office formats you can open inGoogle Drive.
You can convert incompatible presentation, document, and spreadsheet formats to native Google formats within GD. To do that, right-click the incompatible file withinGoogle Drive and select the Open with option. Then select to open it with Sheets, Docs,or Slides.
That will create a second copy of the spreadsheet, document, or presentation in a compatible native format that you can preview in GD.
However, you’ll need to utilize a file converter web app to convert image, video and audio files to compatible formats. Check out the Online-Convert.com app with which you can convert files to a variety of alternative formats.
Openthis page, select a target format from one of the drop-down menus and clickGoto open the file conversion utility shown in the snapshot below. Then you can press theChooseandConvertbuttons to convert a selected file.
2. Compress or Split Up the File
Note thatGoogle Drivealso has file size limits for documents and presentations. Thus, the GD viewer might not open documents and presentations that eclipse the file size restrictions. GD restricts Google Doc documents to 50 MB and Slide presentation files to 100 MB.
As such, compressing or splitting a file up to reduce its file size might fix theGoogle Drivedocument preview error. You can split up a text document into two, or more, files with the software mentioned inthis post.
To compress files, check out theWeCompress web app. That web app compresses PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and PDF file formats.
3. Open Google Drive in Another Browser
You might find thatGoogle Drivepreviews files ok in an alternative browser. So, open the file inGoogle Drivewith another compatible browser. Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Safari are four browsers that you can utilize GD in.
4. Update Your Browser
Note thatGoogle Drivecompatibility is also limited to the two most updated versions of its supported browsers.
Thus, theDriveviewer might not open documents if your browser is not updated. You can update Chrome by pressing the Customize Google Chrome button, clicking Help, and selectingAbout Google Chrome. Chrome will then check for updates.
5. Clear Your Browser’s Cache
Clearing corrupted browser caches can fix loading and formatting issues on sites. So it might also be worth clearing your browser cache whenGoogle Drivedoesn’t preview documents.
This is how you can clear caches for various browsers with thefreeware CCleaner.
6. Switch Off Browser Extensions
TheGoogle Drive file preview error might have something to do with browser extensions. To ensure that isn’t the case, switch off all your browser’s extensions. You can also disable extensions for various browsers with CCleaner.
Click Tools and Browser Plugins in CCleaner to open extension lists for your browsers as in the snapshot below. Then you can select multiple extensions therebypressing the Ctrl key, and pressing theDisablebutton to switch them off.
7. Sign Out of your Google Drive Account
Some GD users have also confirmed that they’ve fixed the file preview error by signing out of theirGoogle Driveaccounts. Click the Google account button at the top right of GD and select theSign outoption. Then you can log back intoGoogle Drive. GD might then preview your files as required.
Some of the above resolutions will probably fix the “Whoops! There was a problem previewing this document” error. Aside from those resolutions, switching anti-virus software and firewalls off might also resolve theGoogle Drivefile preview issue.
More about the topics:Google Drive,windows 10 fix
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
