PDF Won’t Open? Here Are 10 Ways To Fix It

If your PDF gained’t open, it’s probably your file is corrupted.

You will get “Failed to load PDF document” or “Adobe Acrobat Reader could not open ‘XYZ.pdf’ because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged” messages when opening a doc.

In such situations, both it is advisable to restore the earlier model or ask the person to ship one other file. 

But, in case you didn’t obtain such errors, the PDF file not opening drawback is solvable.

Other components like giant file dimension, incompatibility with PDF Reader, enabled Protected Mode in Adobe, and so on will be accountable too.

To troubleshoot these issues, I’ll stroll you thru these confirmed fixes.

Install PDF Reader

If there is no such thing as a PDF Reader in your device, the file ought to often open in a browser. However, the browser doesn’t help all types of codecs — for instance, nonstandard PDF File varieties. 

So, it’s best to set up a dependable PDF Reader like Adobe Acrobat in your device, particularly for Mobile.

After downloading the app, you possibly can set it as a default PDF viewer to cease the recordsdata from opening in Microsoft Edge or different browsers.

For that, right-click on the PDF file. Go to Open with > Choose one other app. Select Adobe Acrobat DC and click on on Always use this app to open the .pdf recordsdata field. Then, click on OK.

Try Opening PDF in Incognito Mode

For customers who’re using the PDF hyperlinks in net browsers, verify in Incognito Mode. The recordsdata ought to open with none points.

If it does, third-party extensions or Ad-Blockers are seemingly inflicting the issue. In that case, you possibly can disable extensions and open recordsdata within the regular mode. 

1. On your browser, click on on the Extensions icon on the higher left and select Manage extensions. 
2. Locate Extensions and flip off the toggle to disable it.

Set Open PDFs in Chrome

Are your PDF recordsdata downloading as an alternative of opening within the net browser itself?

This occurs when your net browser’s website settings is about to Download PDFs. To repair this, choose Open PDFs in Chrome settings. You can instantly entry the recordsdata within the browser with out downloading them. 

1. On your browser, click on the Menu icon and go to Settings. 
2. Click on Privacy and safety > Site Settings.
3. Expand Additional content material settings and click on on PDF paperwork.
4. Below default conduct, make certain Open PDFs in Chrome is chosen.

Resize PDF

Another purpose why your PDF gained’t open is when the file dimension is simply too massive on your PC to course of. The file may even take a number of time to obtain. 

If that’s the case, it is advisable to scale back the file dimension. For that, go to Adobe Acrobat’s Compress PDF dimension on-line and add your doc. Then, obtain the brand new compressed PDF and open it. 

Turn Off the Protected Mode at Startup

If PDF recordsdata doesn’t load in your Adobe Acrobat, possibly the Protected Mode at Startup characteristic is obstructing it. The app does this when it detects suspicious or malicious knowledge within the file that may have an effect on your system.

You can quickly flip off the protected mode and attempt to open the file.

Warning: Disable the Protected Mode at Startup characteristic solely if you’re positive that the file gained’t be dangerous to your device.

1. Go to Adobe Reader and enter the Ctrl + Ok keyboard shortcut for the Preferences window. 
2. Navigate to Security (Enhanced) menu and uncheck the field for Enable Protected Mode on the startup. Then, hit the OK button.

Set Compatibility Mode

It shouldn’t be at all times the case that there’s a fault within the PDF file. There could possibly be compatibility points between your PDF Reader and device that causes this system to not work correctly.

To tackle that, you possibly can set the compatibility mode from Adobe Acrobat Properties.

1. Locate Adobe Acrobat Reader in your PC. Right-click on the app and choose Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab and click on on Run this program in compatibility mode for. Select the Older Windows model.
3. Click Apply and shut the window.

Switch to Older Adobe Reader

You can swap the Adobe Reader to the older model and see in case you can open the file in that mode. Although newer variations have superior options, the update within the new Adobe Acrobat could be inflicting the file opening points.

To swap, head to the Menu icon in your New Adobe Acrobat. Then, click on on Disable new Acrobat Reader. On the affirmation, hit Restart. Then, open the file.

Update Adobe Acrobat

Using an outdated PDF Reader could possibly be one more reason why the app shouldn’t be opening the recordsdata. Adobe launches safety updates and bug fixes regularly. So, update the latest model. 

For that, go to Adobe Acrobat. From the Menu, navigate to Help > Check for updates choice. If there may be an update, click on on the Update button.

Wait for a couple of minutes and restart your pc to refresh the modifications. Double-click the PDF file and see in case you can entry the contents. 

Repair Adobe Acrobat

In case there aren’t any updates obtainable, restore your Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader. Repair Installation will search for prevailing points within the app and troubleshoot them. 

To do this, go to Adobe Acrobat. From the menu bar, click on on Help and select Repair Installation. Then, select Yes to verify.

Reinstall Adobe Acrobat

If you’re assured the PDF file isn’t the principle problem, you possibly can reinstall the PDF reader.

To delete the Adobe Acrobat, enter Windows + I for Settings. Go to Apps > Installed Apps. Next to Adobe Acrobat, click on the More icon > Uninstall. 

Download the Adobe Acrobat app from the Microsoft Store once more. Then, double-click the PDF file to see.