The home side controlled most of the game, with the visitors struggling to reproduce the form they had shown in their last outing against Charlton.
But neither side managed to make the breakthrough - and Preston hung on to remain unbeaten in the league.
Coventry went into the match looking to end a run of three defeats and boss Chris Coleman fielded an attacking side with four strikers on the pitch.
The Sky Blues' passing was slick but they failed to turn their possession into chances, with several attacks fizzling out at the key moment.
Freddy Eastwood did make Andy Lonergan work in the 22nd minute, when his fierce 30-yard drive forced the stopper into a low save.
Two minutes later, Lonergan was a spectator when Clinton Morrison rose to meet Danny Fox's cross, but his free header flew past the post.
The visitors started to push forward and were denied a fortuitous lead in the 35th minute. Billy Jones' corner was met well by centre-half Sean St Ledger only to rattle off the Coventry crossbar.
Coventry pushed forward as they aimed to take a lead into half-time, and were unlucky not to score when Fox's stinging effort from 35 yards was tipped around the post by Lonergan.
Preston improved early in the second period and Neil Mellor's half-volley was only just saved by Keiren Westwood. The resulting corner gave St Ledger his second opportunity - but Westwood was able to collect well.
But Coventry continued to press and had their best chance in the 63rd minute when Eastwood poked a ball through to Morrison ten yards from goal. The former Palace man shot towards the bottom corner, only for Lonergan to palm the ball wide.
Both sides attacked but failed to create clear-cut chances, with the match ending in a stalemate.