Fix Internet Explorer and Edge Crashing When Opening a PDF Twice
Question details
Users experience browser crashes when trying to open a second PDF file from a web application using the Adobe Acrobat or Reader extension.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader Browser Plugins
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening multiple PDF files sequentially from an online web application using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge.
- Observed behavior
- The web browser unexpectedly crashes or freezes entirely when the user attempts to load and open the second PDF document.
Save any active web sessions or unsaved work in your browser, and ensure you have administrative privileges to install software updates on your computer.
Update Adobe Acrobat to Version 20.13.20066 or Later
This specific crash is a known bug in Acrobat DC version 20.13.20064 and can be permanently resolved by applying Adobe's official software patch.
The issue originates from how Acrobat DC version 20.13.20064 handles memory and processes when initialized multiple times within the Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge architectures. Updating the core application patches the browser plugin as well.
Launch your currently installed version of Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader from your desktop or start menu.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on the 'Help' tab, and select 'Check for Updates' from the drop-down list.
Allow the updater tool to search for the latest version. When update 20.13.20066 (or newer) appears, click to download and follow the on-screen prompts to install it.
Once the installation is complete, reboot your PC to ensure the new browser plugins are fully registered and active in Internet Explorer and Edge.
View and Manage PDFs Safely with WPS Office
If you continue experiencing browser plugin crashes with other PDF readers, try downloading your files and viewing them directly in WPS PDF. It provides a lightweight, highly stable reading environment without relying on fragile browser extensions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite, which includes the dedicated WPS PDF tool.
- 2. Set as Default PDF Viewer: Right-click any PDF file on your computer, select 'Open with', choose WPS PDF, and check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files'.
- 3. Open Web PDFs Seamlessly: Configure your browser to download PDF files automatically instead of opening them in a tab. Once downloaded, click the file to open it safely and quickly in WPS PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my browser crash only when I open the second PDF?
This was a specific process management bug in Adobe Acrobat DC version 20.13.20064. The browser plugin failed to properly initialize a new instance or share memory resources when a second PDF was requested, triggering a fatal browser crash.
Can I fix this PDF crash without updating Acrobat right away?
Yes. As a temporary workaround, you can change your browser settings to download PDF files to your local hard drive instead of opening them in the browser window. You can then open them safely using a standalone desktop PDF viewer.
Does this Acrobat bug affect Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox?
The specific crash related to Acrobat DC version 20.13.20064 was primarily documented for Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. Chrome and Firefox generally use their own built-in PDF rendering engines by default, bypassing the Adobe plugin.
