How to Fix PDF Stuck on Preparing Document for Reading
Question details
Users are unable to view or fill out a PDF document because the file continuously hangs on a 'Preparing document' or 'Preparing content' loading screen.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening or attempting to fill out a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF remains indefinitely on the 'Preparing document for reading' screen and never finishes loading the content.
Verify whether you are trying to open the PDF inside a web browser or using a dedicated desktop application, as the steps to resolve the loading freeze will vary.
Disable Assistive Technology Support in Adobe Acrobat Reader
Turning off the assistive technology feature in Adobe Reader stops the software from preparing the entire document for screen readers, which is the most common cause of the freezing issue.
Adobe Reader uses a feature to prepare documents for assistive technologies like screen readers. When opening large or complex PDFs, this preparation process can get stuck.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on 'Edit' in the top menu bar, and select 'Preferences'.
In the Preferences window, select 'Accessibility' from the categories pane on the left side.
Under the 'Other Accessibility Options' section, clear the checkbox next to 'Enable Assistive Technology Support'.
Click 'OK' to save your changes, then restart Adobe Acrobat Reader and open your PDF again.
Download the PDF and Open Locally
If your PDF is stuck on a loading screen within a web browser, downloading it to your local drive and opening it with a desktop application can bypass browser compatibility issues.
Open and Edit PDFs Instantly with WPS Office
Bypass frustrating loading screens and open your PDF documents instantly with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fast, and comprehensive PDF reader that lets you view, fill out, and edit forms without freezing.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office on your computer.
- 2. Open the PDF Tool: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab on the home screen.
- 3. Select Your File: Click 'Open PDF' and browse your computer to select the document that was previously stuck.
- 4. View and Fill Out: Instantly view, read, and fill out your PDF document without any loading delays or freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF say 'Preparing document for reading'?
This message appears because Adobe Acrobat Reader is attempting to process the document text for screen readers and assistive technologies. With large or complex documents, the software can freeze or take an unusually long time to finish this process.
How can I permanently stop the 'Preparing document' message in Adobe Reader?
You can permanently stop this by opening Adobe Reader, navigating to Edit > Preferences > Accessibility, and unchecking the box for 'Enable Assistive Technology Support'.
What should I do if my PDF is stuck preparing in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge?
Web browsers can sometimes struggle with interactive or highly formatted PDFs. The best workaround is to download the PDF file directly to your local drive and open it using a dedicated desktop application like WPS Office.
