Fix Internet Explorer Crashes When Opening Embedded PDFs After Acrobat Update
Question details
Users experience Internet Explorer crashing when attempting to view embedded PDF files after installing a specific Adobe Acrobat Pro DC update.
- Product
- Internet Explorer / Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening or refreshing embedded PDF documents inside the Internet Explorer browser multiple times.
- Observed behavior
- Internet Explorer unexpectedly stops working and crashes. This often occurs after opening the PDF four to ten times in the same session, with Event Viewer indicating an ntdll.dll module error related to Adobe Acrobat.
Before modifying your browser settings, ensure that Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed on your computer, as the primary workaround requires switching the PDF handler from Acrobat Pro to Acrobat Reader.
Change the PDF Handler to Acrobat Reader
Switching the Internet Explorer add-on to use Adobe PDF Reader instead of Acrobat Pro DC bypasses the crashing issue.
The crashing issue is isolated to the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC add-on (version 20.013.20064). Changing the default handler to Acrobat Reader within the browser's add-on manager restores stability.
Open Internet Explorer, click on the 'Tools' menu (gear icon) in the top right corner, and select 'Manage Add-ons'.
Under 'Add-on Types' on the left-hand panel, click on 'Toolbars and Extensions'.
In the 'Show' drop-down menu at the bottom left of the window, select 'All add-ons' so that all extensions become visible.
Locate 'Adobe PDF Reader' from the list of add-ons, select it, and click the 'Enable' button at the bottom right.
Keep the Initial PDF Document Open
Modifying your workflow by leaving the first PDF open can temporarily prevent the plugin from repeatedly loading and crashing.
Install Latest Acrobat Updates
Check for official patches from Adobe that resolve the known issue in version 20.013.20064.
View and Manage PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
Avoid browser crashes and buggy extensions entirely by using WPS Office's built-in PDF reader to view, edit, and manage your PDF files smoothly outside of outdated browsers.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
- 2. Set as Default: Set WPS PDF as your default PDF viewer on your Windows computer.
- 3. Open PDF Files: Double-click any PDF file to open it instantly in the stable WPS PDF environment, completely bypassing Internet Explorer add-on issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Internet Explorer crash when I open a PDF?
This specific issue is caused by a bug in the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC add-on (version 20.013.20064). Repeatedly loading the embedded PDF triggers a failure in the ntdll.dll module, which forces the Internet Explorer browser to close unexpectedly.
Will installing Adobe Acrobat Reader fix the IE crash?
Yes, having Adobe Acrobat Reader installed and configuring Internet Explorer to use it as the active PDF handler instead of Acrobat Pro DC usually resolves the crashing issue.
Where can I find the Add-ons manager in Internet Explorer?
Click the gear icon (Tools) located in the top-right corner of the Internet Explorer window, then select 'Manage Add-ons' from the drop-down list. Make sure you select 'All add-ons' from the bottom-left menu to see your Adobe extensions.
Is Internet Explorer still recommended for viewing embedded PDFs?
Internet Explorer is an outdated browser and is highly prone to plugin crashes and security vulnerabilities. It is highly recommended to use a modern browser like Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or a dedicated desktop application like WPS Office for stable PDF viewing.
