preview freezes on macbook air

Hi amapapa42,

From our understanding, when using Preview on your Mac, the Mac will become unresponsive. We definitely want to help ensure you're able to use Preview with ease, so let's take a look at this together.

To get started, there's some great steps that can help to resolve issues with specific apps not working here: If an app freezes or quits unexpectedly on Mac - Apple Support

We'll include those steps here for easy access as well:

If an app doesn’t quit as expected, or it’s unresponsive, you can force quit the app (you may lose unsaved changes). Choose Apple menu  > Force Quit, select the app in the dialog that appears, then click Force Quit.

If the app quit, reopen it by clicking Reopen in the dialog that appears.

Restart your Mac by choosing Apple menu > Restart.

Make sure the app is compatible with your version of macOS.

Open another file in the app. There may be a problem with the original file.

Check for updates to your software.

Disconnect any peripheral devices you just connected (for example, a printer). They may not be compatible with your version of macOS.

Uninstall any app plug-ins or enhancements from other manufacturers.

If you recently updated the app or macOS, a plug-in or enhancement you installed may no longer be compatible.

Diagnose problems with your Mac to learn whether hardware you installed, such as additional memory, is incompatible, improperly installed, or defective.

If those steps don't help resolve it for you, let us know when this occurs. For example, does this occur when attempting to open a specific file, or immediately upon opening? Does this occur with other apps, or only Preview?

We look forward to hearing back from you.

Take care.