Fix Adobe Reader Crashing When Opening PDFs in Internet Explorer 11
Question details
The user is experiencing application crashes when trying to view PDF documents via a browser plugin.
- Product
- Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- Windows 10, Windows 7
- Scenario
- Attempting to open and view PDF files directly within Internet Explorer 11.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Reader crashes, generating an application error involving AcroRd32.exe and AcroRd32.dll with exception code 0xc0000005.
Save any open work in your browser and ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows PC to install updates or repair software.
Update and Repair Adobe Reader Installation
Installing the latest patches and repairing the installation can fix corrupted core files causing the 0xc0000005 exception.
Exception code 0xc0000005 usually signifies a memory access violation. This often happens when the Adobe Reader ActiveX plugin for Internet Explorer becomes corrupted or incompatible with a recent Windows update.
Launch Adobe Reader from your Windows Start menu instead of opening it through the Internet Explorer browser.
Go to "Help" in the top menu bar and select "Check for Updates". Install any available patches and restart your computer to apply the changes.
If the issue persists, open Adobe Reader again, navigate to "Help", and select "Repair Installation". Follow the on-screen prompts to fix corrupted installation files.
Download and Open PDFs Locally
Bypassing Internet Explorer's PDF plugin prevents browser-specific rendering crashes.
Open and Edit PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If legacy browser plugins keep crashing, use WPS Office as a lightweight, standalone solution to open, read, and edit PDF files effortlessly without relying on outdated web browsers.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the free installer from the official WPS website and complete the quick installation on your Windows PC.
- 2. Set as Default PDF Reader: Right-click any PDF file on your computer, select "Open with" > "Choose another app", pick WPS Office, and check the "Always use this app" option.
- 3. Open and View Securely: Double-click your PDF. It will securely and quickly open in the dedicated WPS PDF tab without triggering browser-related crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does exception code 0xc0000005 mean in Adobe Reader?
This code typically indicates an Access Violation error, meaning the AcroRd32.exe process tried to read or write to a protected memory address. This is often caused by corrupted program files, outdated software, or conflicting browser plugins.
Why does this PDF crash only happen in Internet Explorer 11?
Internet Explorer 11 relies on older ActiveX controls for PDF browser integration. These legacy plugins can become unstable or conflict with newer system updates and security protocols, leading to rendering crashes that don't occur in modern browsers.
Can I force Internet Explorer to open PDFs in a separate window instead of the browser?
Yes. Open your standalone Adobe Reader, go to Edit > Preferences > Internet, and uncheck 'Display PDF in browser' (if this option is available in your version). This forces PDFs clicked in IE11 to launch safely in the separate Reader application.
