A first Championship victory was secured after Teemu Pukki rode to the rescue with a fine finish in the 80th minute and Alex Tettey smashed home another seven minutes later.
A drab first half had finished 0-0, with City keeper Tim Krul making a vital save to deny Lukas Nmecha and Mo Leitner firing over tamely for the hosts just before the break.
Krul was again needed soon after half-time, denying a Callum Robinson header and the same player smashed against the bar in the 72nd minute after loose play from Tettey.
But it was Pukki with a classy left-footed striker finish, after a fine dart forward from Jamal Lewis, which spark Carrow Road into life before Tettey put the icing on the cake.
Tim Krul, Moritz Leitner and Tom Trybull given Alex Tettey a pat on the back after a difficult evening of Norwich City action for the Norwegian - albeit with a thrilling climax. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
• Take a look at more images from the game below
Timm Klose looked to be emotional at the end of City's win over Preston, as doubts over his Canaries future persist Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Daniel Farke get the better of Alex Neil. Now he faces Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Teemu Pukki tries to get past Preston's Ben Pearson Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Teemu Pukki in aerial action Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Ben Marshall misses the target with a free-kick Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Darnell Fisher keeps a close eye on City dangerman Onel Hernandez (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Timm Klose heads wide in the first half against Preston Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Moritz Leitner rues a missed chance Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Moritz Leitner of Norwich and Teemu Pukki of Norwich at the end of the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Timm Klose of Norwich in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Ivo Pinto of Norwich and Ben Pearson of Preston North End clash during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Callum Robinson of Preston North End and Emiliano Buendia of Norwich in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Alan Browne of Preston North End and Onel Hernandez of Norwich in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Alexander Tettey of Norwich in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Declan Rudd of Preston North End during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Norwich Head Coach Daniel Farke during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Louis Moult of Preston North End tries an overhead kick during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Alexander Tettey of Norwich scores his sides 2nd goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)
Emiliano Buendia of Norwich has a shot on goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
The Preston game was notable for the fans' negative reaction - but the visitors' tactics were not conducive to an entertaining match Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Jamal Lewis of Norwich and Darnell Fisher of Preston North End in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Teemu Pukki fired home City's first goal against Preston, beating former Norwich keeper Declan Rudd with a fine finish Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)
Daniel Farke and Preston boss Alex Neil after the final whistle Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)
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