How to Fix PDFs Not Displaying in Chrome or IE After Acrobat Update
Question details
The user is unable to view PDF documents properly in web browsers directly following a recent update to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open and view PDF files natively within Chrome or Internet Explorer after updating Adobe Acrobat Reader to version 19.012.20034.
- Observed behavior
- PDFs fail to load or display on the webpage, leaving a blank screen until the user manually refreshes the browser tab.
Before proceeding with plugin adjustments, try pressing F5 to refresh the webpage and verify if the PDF loads successfully, and ensure your internet browser is updated to its latest version.
Configure Browser PDF Handling Settings
Adjusting how your browser handles PDF documents can prevent conflicts between built-in viewers and the Adobe Acrobat extension.
Web browsers often conflict with external PDF reader plugins, especially after major software updates. By modifying the browser's site settings, you can force it to use its native viewer or correctly hand off the file to Adobe Acrobat.
Launch Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, and select 'Settings'.
Go to 'Privacy and security' > 'Site Settings'. Scroll down and click on 'Additional content settings', then select 'PDF documents'.
Toggle the option to 'Download PDFs' or set it to open them in Chrome to refresh the PDF handler preference.
If using Internet Explorer, click the gear icon, select 'Manage Add-ons', locate the 'Adobe PDF Reader' extension under 'Toolbars and Extensions', and ensure its status is set to 'Enabled'.
Repair or Reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader
Fix corrupted installation files or broken browser integration links caused during the Acrobat update process.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Remove outdated temporary internet files that might be interfering with the updated PDF plugin's ability to render documents.
View and Manage PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Bypass browser compatibility issues entirely by managing your PDF files directly in WPS Office. The powerful built-in PDF tool allows you to view, edit, and annotate documents locally without relying on prone-to-error web browser plugins.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer from the official website.
- 2. Select Your PDF File: Locate the PDF file you wish to view on your hard drive, right-click it, and select 'Open with'.
- 3. Open with WPS: Choose 'WPS Office' from the application list to instantly open the document in the dedicated, highly stable PDF viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDFs only load after I manually refresh the web page?
This is typically caused by a communication delay or a software glitch in the Adobe Acrobat browser plugin following an update. Refreshing the page forces the browser to re-request the document and render it using the newly loaded plugin parameters.
Can I view PDF files in Google Chrome without using Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, Google Chrome includes a highly capable native PDF viewer. You can disable the Adobe Acrobat extension in Chrome's 'Manage Extensions' menu to force the browser to handle PDFs natively, which frequently resolves external display glitches.
How do I ensure the PDF add-on is enabled in Internet Explorer?
In Internet Explorer, click the Tools (gear) icon in the upper right corner and select 'Manage Add-ons'. Under 'Toolbars and Extensions', look for 'Adobe PDF Reader'. If it says 'Disabled', right-click it and select 'Enable'.
Will rolling back my Adobe Acrobat version fix the browser issue?
If the display problem started exactly after updating to version 19.012.20034, uninstalling it and installing the previous version can serve as an effective temporary workaround until a stable patch is released by the developer.
