QuickLook is one of the OS X features that is usually taken for granted. The ability to preview a document, view an image, or even see full-screen videos without ever opening the file is simply amazing. That is, until something goes wrong. You select a file, press the space bar, and nothing happens. You're left scratching your head.
While there are some file types that QuickLook doesn't work with, the majority of problems with the QuickLook preview are caused by the preview window having been accidentally moved to an area off screen.
I've had this happen when trying out a new mouse, where the mouse tracking speed wasn't dialed in yet. It also sometimes happens when one of our cats decides that my moving a window is the perfect time for them to walk across the keyboard or butt their heads against my mouse.
No matter how it happens, the end result is a QuickLook preview window that's off screen and out of reach. Even worse, any new QuickLook preview window also ends up flying off screen.
Restoring Your QuickLook Preview Window
It's actually pretty easy to get a QuickLook preview window back on screen. There are a number of ways to do it, but the simplest and fastest is to simply quit the Finder application. Once the Finder restarts, it returns the QuickLook Preview window to the default position, which is centered on your display.
To quit the Finder:
- Save any documents in any currently open applications.
- Select Apple, Force Quit from the menu.
- In the Force Quit Applications window, select Finder.
- Click the Relaunch button.
That's it; the Finder will quit and then automatically restart.
Your QuickLook preview window will be right back in the center of your display.