How to Fix Error 0:104 When Opening PDFs in Internet Explorer 11
Question details
The user is unable to view PDF files in Internet Explorer 11 and receives an error code regarding an Adobe software problem.
- Product
- Internet Explorer 11 / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open and view PDF documents directly within the Internet Explorer 11 web browser.
- Observed behavior
- The browser fails to load the document and displays the message 'There is a problem with Adobe Acrobat or Reader' accompanied by error code 0:104.
Save any open work and close active tabs in your browser, as you will need to restart your computer and reset browser settings during the troubleshooting process.
Reset Acrobat Preferences and Restart
Resetting Adobe Acrobat preferences to their default settings clears corrupted temporary data that may be causing the browser plugin to fail.
Corrupted preference files in Adobe Acrobat can prevent the software from correctly integrating with Internet Explorer 11. Restoring the default settings forces the application to rebuild these configurations from scratch.
Close all open programs and restart your computer to clear out any temporary background processes related to Adobe or Internet Explorer.
Navigate to your computer's AppData folder, locate the Adobe Acrobat preferences folder, and rename or delete it to force a reset upon the next launch.
Open Internet Explorer 11 and attempt to load the PDF file again to see if the error 0:104 is resolved.
Remove Conflicting PDF Readers
Uninstall redundant PDF software like Adobe Reader if Acrobat Pro DC is already installed to prevent browser plugin conflicts.
Reset Internet Explorer Settings
Reset the browser to its default configuration to clear out problematic add-ons or security settings blocking the PDF.
Bypass Browser Errors with WPS Office
Avoid persistent Internet Explorer plugin conflicts and error 0:104 entirely by opening your PDF files in WPS Office's built-in PDF reader. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible environment for viewing and editing documents directly on your desktop.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Locate Your File: Find the PDF file on your computer that was failing to open in Internet Explorer 11.
- 3. Open with WPS: Right-click the PDF file, hover over 'Open with', and select 'WPS Office' from the list of applications.
- 4. Set as Default: To prevent future browser errors, you can set WPS Office as your default PDF application by checking the 'Always use this app' box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does error 0:104 only happen in Internet Explorer 11 and not in Microsoft Edge?
Internet Explorer 11 relies on ActiveX plugins to render PDF files, which are prone to software conflicts and corruption. Modern browsers like Microsoft Edge use built-in native PDF rendering engines, bypassing the Adobe plugin entirely.
Can having both Adobe Reader and Acrobat Pro DC installed cause this issue?
Yes. When both Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat Pro DC are installed on the same machine, Internet Explorer 11 can get confused about which browser add-on to load, resulting in failed PDF rendering and error 0:104.
Will resetting Internet Explorer 11 delete my saved bookmarks and passwords?
No. When you reset Internet Explorer settings, the browser restores add-ons, privacy parameters, and toolbars to their default state. Your favorites, bookmarks, and feeds will remain intact.
