Preview.app in Ventura displays blank pages!

I updated a week ago to Ventura and am running OS 13.2.1 on a 2019 21" Retina 4K iMac, 3.2 6-core i7. I'm also running Preview 11.0. Software update tells me these are the most current, updated versions available to me. For the most part, this machine just hums along pretty well.


However, I'm having a problem about which I see others post, with the most common solutions offered being "use Acrobat" or use other software or "report this to Apple" (which I've done, of course). But I'm stubborn. I want to use Preview for the things it does well for me, not some other application.


Since updating, Preview now displays some pages in every PDF file as blank; or rather, as white text on white background. I can highlight the text, but can't view it. The PDF often opens correctly, but after I either scroll down through the pages, or back up, some pages will just go blank. The PDF files are fine; they open fine on other Macs, on my mobile, in Acrobat, in PDFelement, etc. This is a Preview in Ventura problem for me. I previously was using Monterey, and never had anything like this happen before. And it's never consistently the same pages when I open the PDF again.


I've done all the usual things:


Restarted - same bad behavior

Restarted in Safe Mode - same bad behavior

Restarted in a stripped down, new user account - same bad behavior

Deleted Preview container - same bad behavior

Unplugged second monitor - same bad behavior


Opened PDF using Acrobat - no problem

Opened PDF using PDF Elements - no problem

Opened PDF in Safari and Chrome - no problem

Opened PDF on another Mac using Monterey - no problem

Opened PDF on a PC using Windows 10 - no problem

Opened PDF on iPhone and iPad - no problem


This has me baffled, but also ****** that something as core to the OS as Preview is having a problem like this. Preview is the quickest, simplest way to export pages out of a PDF file, import pages from another PDF file, or even to rearrange pages by quick drag & drop of the thumbnails. Not to mention the quick drop-in of my signature and (very basic) markup. I refuse to use Adobe's bloatware for these kinds of functions, and it really is something that should "just work" but clearly doesn't.


Suggestions (not "use something else")?

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Mar 17, 2023 04:28 PM

Reply

Similar questions

1 reply

Mar 18, 2023 09:07 AM in response to gsparks

gsparks wrote:

I updated a week ago to Ventura and am running OS 13.2.1

However, I'm having a problem about which I see others post, with the most common solutions offered being "use Acrobat" or use other software or "report this to Apple" (which I've done, of course). But I'm stubborn.

I want to use Preview for the things it does well for me, not some other application.


I would use what works.


Maybe the next upcoming point update will sort your issue...



Submit your Apple Feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple


or Contact the corporate office Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple




Too be proactive—You can always nuke and pave your existing macOS and install as new and test; restore your user data from backup and test. Report back you success or failure.

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support


Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support





This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Preview.app in Ventura displays blank pages!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.