Explorer preview stops working after the first time you click on a PDF file in Windows 11

Hi MirandaP, how are you today?

Interesting behavior. Could you also send me a few screenshots, in order for me to have a visual of what you described? 

Looking forward to your next response! 

Sure.

Initial state. Note that all files are 'online only'.

After clicking on the file the first time:

After clicking on another file. This one previews OK too.

After clicking on the first file again. Note that the preview pane is empty.

After copying the file to a local folder. Preview shows as expected.

Excellent job with the screenshots MirandaP! 

That's odd. Which version of our app do you use on your end? 

Also, I know that'll sound trivial, but have you tried re-starting your device at all?

I'm on Dropbox v162.4.5419.

I've just restarted my PC and it's doing exactly the same.

Hey MirandaP, sorry to jump in, but could you try quitting the Dropbox desktop app and try again? 

Let us know if the issue with your previews persists with the app completely closed and we'll take it from there. 

After quitting the Dropbox app none of the previews work because none of the files are downloaded.

Most just show a blank page. On some of them (I can't see why) I get an error, 'Hmmm… can't reach this page It looks like the webpage at file:///C:/Users/miran/Dropbox/ [my folder name here] /2022-09-03.pdf#view=FitH might be having issues or it may have moved permanently to a new web address.' with 'ERR_FAILED' underneath.

If I start the app again, click on one file so that it downloads it and shows the preview, then quit the app again, I still cannot preview that one file. However I can double-click on it to open it in Edge, and if I copy it locally it previews OK.

I hope someone can help me, it's really annoying!

Hi MirandaP! Sorry for jumping in here. 

Do you mind if we log a ticket for you, so that we can check this internally? 

Let me know if you’re OK with that.

Yes of course. Let me know if I can try anything else or if you need any more information. 

Hi MirandaP, I've sent you an email, please could you reply to it as soon as possible!

Hello, I'm experiencing issues with PDF files and some png & jpeg which can't use the preview option.