Fix Acrobat 2017 Cannot Open PDFs That Work in Reader
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where Adobe Acrobat 2017 fails to open PDF files or reports them missing from the Recent list, even though the exact same files open successfully in Adobe Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open PDF files from a local drive, network drive, synced folder, or the Recent files list using Adobe Acrobat 2017.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat 2017 intermittently fails to open the PDFs or displays a 'file cannot be found' error when accessing them, despite the files functioning perfectly in Adobe Reader.
Ensure that the PDF file is not currently locked or opened by another user, and verify that your system is actively connected to the network if the file is stored on a shared drive.
Relocate PDF Files to a Local Directory
Moving the affected files from a network drive or synchronized folder to a local hard drive helps rule out connectivity and folder permission issues.
Locate the affected PDF file on your network drive, removable media, or synchronized folder, right-click it, and select 'Copy'.
Navigate to a local folder on your computer, such as your Desktop or Documents folder, right-click, and select 'Paste'.
Launch Adobe Acrobat 2017, go to File > Open in the top menu, navigate to the local folder, and select the PDF to see if it opens successfully.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software
Aggressive security software can sometimes falsely flag and block Acrobat from opening specific files or accessing network locations.
Repair Acrobat and Clear Recent List
Fixing corrupted installation files and clearing a malfunctioning recent files cache can resolve intermittent file loading errors.
Open and Edit PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to cause opening errors or network conflicts, WPS Office offers a built-in, lightweight PDF editor that opens, reads, and edits PDF documents instantly without complex configuration issues.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
- 2. Launch the PDF Tool: Open WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab located on the home screen.
- 3. Open Your Document: Click 'Open' and browse for the PDF file that failed to load previously. The file will open immediately for seamless viewing and editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a PDF open perfectly in Adobe Reader but fail in Acrobat 2017?
Adobe Reader is a lightweight viewing application, whereas Acrobat 2017 is a full-featured editor that utilizes more system resources and complex file handling. Corrupted application files, missing updates, or restrictive antivirus monitoring can block Acrobat's advanced processes while allowing Reader to function normally.
How do I fix the 'file cannot be found' error when clicking a file in Acrobat's Recent list?
This error occurs when the file has been moved, renamed, deleted, or if the network drive it was saved on has disconnected. You can fix this by clearing the Recent list (File > Open Recent File > Clear Recent File List) and opening the document manually from its current location via File > Open.
Can third-party antivirus software like Webroot cause PDF opening issues?
Yes. Sometimes aggressive heuristic scanning in antivirus software falsely identifies Acrobat's file access behavior as a threat. Temporarily pausing the software can help diagnose the issue; if it works while paused, you will need to add Acrobat 2017 to your antivirus provider's allowed/trusted applications list.
