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How to Fix ‘DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails’ Issue: There are a lot of people who are also having trouble seeing previews for their DNG files. This problem affects a lot of shooters, both professional and amateur. People like DNG files because they are high-quality and flexible, but it can be annoying and slow down your work when previews don’t show up. There are methods out there that can help you fix this issue.
You can try changing the settings in your file manager, getting the latest version of your software, or adding more codecs. If you have the right help, troubleshooting can be easy, even if it seems hard at first. If you’re having trouble with “DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails,” this guide will show you how to fix it step by step. Fixing this problem with how to Fix ‘DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails’ Issue with DNG files better for everyone, whether you’re a professional shooter or just like to take pictures for fun.
What is ‘DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails’ Issue
‘DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails’ is a problem that happens when some systems or programmes can’t show thumbnail pictures for DNG (Digital Negative) files. DNG is a type of raw picture format that was made by Adobe and is often used by photographers because it is flexible and works well with many programmes. But some operating systems or image viewers might not immediately show thumbnails for DNG files.

This can be annoying for people who need these previews to quickly manage their files. This issue might happen for several reasons, including old software versions, not having the right codecs supported, or setting things up incorrectly. Users may need to update their operating systems, add extra codecs or plugins, or use special software that works with DNG files to fix this problem.
Causes for ‘DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails’ Issue
- Operating system limitations: Some operating systems can’t open certain file types by default, and you may need to add extra codecs or software to see thumbnails correctly.
- Incorrect settings: The settings that the user has made in the operating system or software may not be right, which stops previews for DNG files from showing up.
- Not enough system resources: If you are working with a lot of files at once, it may be hard to make previews for DNG files if your system doesn’t have enough RAM or processing power.
- File system issues: Issues with the file system, like corruption or mistakes, can make it impossible to make or show thumbnails for DNG files.
- Outdated software: If you use old software or drivers, they might not work with DNG files properly, which could cause previews to not show up correctly.
- Permissions: If you don’t have enough permissions to open or view DNG files, the operating system might not be able to make thumbnails for them.
How to Fix ‘DNG Files Not Showing Thumbnails’ Issue
On Windows
Check File Explorer settings

- Open File Explorer and click “View” on the top menu bar.
- Select “Options” and then “Change folder and search options.”
- Under the “View” tab, make sure “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is not selected.
- You can also try unchecking “Display file icon on thumbnails” and rebuilding the thumbnail cache (see step 4).
Update Adobe DNG Converter
- Download and install the latest version of the Adobe DNG Converter from the Adobe official website.
- This converter ensures your system can read and display DNG thumbnails properly.
Rebuild the thumbnail cache
- Close File Explorer.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type del /f /q %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\ThumbCache* and press Enter.
- Now, restart your computer.
- This will force File Explorer to rebuild the thumbnail cache, including for your DNG files.
Enable thumbnail previews
- Right-click on the folder with your DNG files and choose “Properties.”
- Go to the “Customize” tab and pick “General items.”
- For “Folders,” opt for “Optimize this folder for pictures, music, or videos.”
- Press “Apply” and then “OK.” This activates thumbnail previews for your DNG files.
On macOS
Update macOS
- Ensure you have the latest version of macOS installed.
- Newer versions offer improved support for DNG files.
Install Adobe DNG Converter
- Download and install the latest version of the Adobe DNG Converter from the Adobe official website.
- This will help your system interpret DNG files and generate thumbnails.
Rebuild the thumbnail cache
- Open Finder and go to ~/Library/Caches.
- Find a folder called “thumbnails” and delete/move it to the trash.
- Empty the trash.
- Open a new Finder window and go to a folder with your DNG files.
- Press Command + Option + . to reveal hidden files.
- Find and delete the “.DS_Store” file.
- Restart your Mac to force Finder to rebuild the thumbnail cache for your DNG files.
Check Finder preferences
- Open Finder and navigate to “Preferences.”
- Click on the “General” tab.
- Ensure that “Show preview icons” is selected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the problem of DNG files not showing previews can be fixed by doing a few simple things. First, make sure that the operating system on your computer is totally up to date. Then, think about adding any codecs or software updates that might be needed to show the DNG file correctly. You can also change the settings inside your files to see if the thumbnails show up again. Instead of these steps, you could try using third-party tools or converters to see if that helps.
It’s important to remember to back up your files before you try any fixes, though, and to be careful when changing system settings. You can fix this problem and get back to previewing DNG files smoothly with thumbnails if you keep at it and pay close attention. By following these steps, you can improve your workflow and make sure that you can view and manage your DNG files without any problems.
Question and Answer
It’s possible that there is a bigger issue with your machine or the DNG files if the fixes don’t work. You can get more help in technical forums or by getting in touch with the people who made the tools.
There are programmes like Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Bridge that can help you open DNG files if you are having trouble. This could fix any problems with broken files or settings that are making the issue happen.
It might help to clear the cache if you can’t see the small images of the pictures. Clear your computer’s cache, access your folder settings again, and then look again.