PDF Opening Issues

Fix 'This file could not be accessed' Error in Acrobat Reader

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 18, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open PDF files in Adobe Acrobat Reader when creating a local copy from Google Drive, encountering an access and filename error.

Fix 'This file could not be accessed' Error in Acrobat Reader

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Device & OS: Android 8.1.0 (Samsung Galaxy Tab A) and Windows
Scenario: Opening a copied PDF file from Google Drive locally in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Observed behavior: The application displays the error message: 'This file could not be accessed. Check your connection or make the filename shorter.'

Before you start

Ensure your device has a stable internet connection if downloading from Google Drive, and locate the exact folder where the downloaded PDF is being saved.

Solution 1Recommended

Shorten the PDF File Name and Move the File

Reduce the file name length and move the file to a root directory to bypass the system's maximum file path limitations.

Operating systems like Windows and Android have maximum file path limitations. If a PDF is nested deep inside multiple folders with long names, or the file name itself is too long, Acrobat Reader cannot access it.

Locate the file

Open your device's File Manager or File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the downloaded PDF file.

Rename the PDF

Long-press or right-click the file and select 'Rename'. Type a significantly shorter name for the PDF file (e.g., 'document1.pdf') and save the changes.

Move to a shorter path

Move the renamed file to a top-level directory, such as the main 'Downloads' folder on Android, or 'C:\PDFs\' on Windows.

Open the file

Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader and try accessing the file from the new, shortened location.

Shorten the PDF File Name and Move the File

Windows Path Limit: Windows traditionally has a 260-character limit for file paths. You can bypass this limitation in Windows 10/11 by enabling long paths via the Registry Editor.

Solution 2

Download the PDF Directly from Google Drive

Download the file natively through the Google Drive app rather than creating a local copy through the Acrobat prompt.

Open PDFs Smoothly

Use WPS Office to Open and Edit PDF Files

Avoid file access errors by using WPS Office's highly compatible built-in PDF reader. It smoothly opens, edits, and manages PDF files across Android, Windows, Mac, and iOS devices.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the Google Play Store, App Store, or official website.
2. Launch the application: Open WPS Office and tap the 'Open' icon on the main interface.
3. Locate your PDF: Navigate to the 'Device' or 'Cloud' section to find your downloaded PDF file.
4. View and edit: Tap the file to open it instantly in the WPS PDF Viewer, where you can read or edit the document.

Easily open, read, and edit PDF documents without file path errors.Fully compatible with Adobe PDF and Microsoft Office document formats.Lightweight application that takes up minimal device storage.Built-in cloud integration for Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Adobe Acrobat say 'This file could not be accessed'?

This error usually occurs because the file's name is too long or it is stored in a folder path that exceeds the operating system's maximum character limit, which is often 260 characters on older Windows systems and impacts Android file handling.

How do I fix the maximum file path limitation on Windows?

You can enable long paths in Windows 10/11 by opening the Registry Editor, navigating to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem', and changing the 'LongPathsEnabled' value to 1.

Can I open Google Drive PDFs without saving them locally first?

Yes, you can directly open and view PDFs from Google Drive by integrating your Google Drive account into a compatible PDF reader like WPS Office, which bypasses the local copying process that triggers the error.

PDF Troubleshooting