Google Chrome is the most widely used web browser across all platforms worldwide, and its dominance is attributed to its plethora of features. One feature that's not always appreciated is the ability to open and view PDF files from within your web browser. However, you may have recently encountered a problem with the PDF viewer in Chrome because the viewer no longer allows you to open PDF files. Often, when you try to access these files, their contents fail to load or the files don't download automatically. So, if you're looking for solutions, this guide will surely help you fix PDF files not opening in Chrome.
How to Fix PDF Files Not Opening in Chrome
Previous versions of Chrome used the API Adobe Netscape Plugin (NPAPI) To open PDF files. However, developers later integrated a native PDF viewer. If you're having trouble opening PDF files in Chrome, there could be several reasons behind this, such as:
- Unstable internet connection
- Old Chrome browser
- For malicious third-party add-ons
- Corrupted cookies and cache files.
- Or the Adobe 64-bit PDF viewer plugin for Google Chrome is not available.
Pro Tip: Use an incognito window in Chrome
Right-click the Chrome icon on the taskbar and choose New browsing window. The Disguised From the list. This will allow you to finish your work and save temporary fix. After that, you can follow the methods mentioned below to troubleshoot and fix this issue.
Method 1: Clear cookies and cache files
If Chrome has no problem opening PDF files but is only having trouble loading them properly, this method is for you. The aforementioned issue may be accompanied by display issues such as grayed-out or broken pages, images that won't load, text overlapping, scrolling delays, etc. These are most likely caused by corrupted cookies and cache files. Clearing them will help.
1. Turn on Google Chrome.
2. Then click The Triquetra icon The area More tools> Clear browsing data… As shown below.
3. Check Options Next.
- Cookies and other site data
- Cached images and files
4. Now, select the option All time For the time range.
5. Finally, tap Wipe data.
Once you have cleared the temporary files, check if Chrome PDF Viewer Not working it is fixed now.
Method 2: Enable hardware acceleration
Sometimes, this may be due to poor performance due to your PDF files not loading. Follow these steps to improve your web browser's performance:
1. Open Google Chrome. Write chrome://settings/system in the bar URL To open the settings page.
2. Turn on toggle switch To use hardware acceleration when available.
Method 3: Disable automatic PDF downloads
Newer versions of Google Chrome include a feature that automatically downloads PDF files when you click on them, rather than opening them in a new tab. While this feature is disabled by default, you may have accidentally enabled it. Or, a notorious third-party extension may have tampered with your browser settings. In any case, if you want to open PDF files and not have them download automatically, do the following:
1. Turn on Google Chrome and click three-dot icon> Settings , As shown below.
2. Here, click Privacy and security in the right pane.
3. Then click Site settings As shown.
4. Go to Additional Content Settings and click on PDF documents , As shown below.
5. Select the option Open PDF files In Chrome. This will automatically disable the PDF download feature.
Note: If you are using an older version of Chrome, turn off the Download PDF files instead of opening them automatically option in Chrome.
Method 4: Disable or uninstall add-ons
Sometimes, disabled extensions may be the reason why PDF files won't open in Chrome. You can check this using the Incognito tab in Chrome, as shown below:
1. Launch Chrome and type chrome://extensions In the URL bar. Click Enter For a list of all installed add-ons.
2. Turn off toggle switch for the recently installed extension and check if you can open PDF files now.
3. Repeat the same The process of adding One after another, until you find Corrupted extension.
4. Once found, click the button. "Removal" To uninstall the corrupted extension.
Method 5: Remove malware
You can also try using your browser's built-in malware detection tool to find and remove any malware that may be interfering with its performance. This should also help fix the PDF files not opening issue in Chrome.
1. Open Google Chrome Visit the following URL: chrome://settings/cleanup.
2. Click the button "research" next to the option “Scan for malware", distinctively illustrated.
3. Wait for Chrome to start searching for Malware… If any malware or malicious software is found, delete it.
Method 6: Update Google Chrome
If the issue of PDF files not opening in Chrome is caused by an inherent bug, then the developers are likely already aware of it and are working on it. Hence, follow the steps below to update Chrome to the latest version to implement such fixes:
1. Turn on Google Chrome Click on the icon Three point.
2. Go to "directions" Select "About" Google Chrome" As shown below.
The browser will automatically start checking for updates and install pending updates, if any.
3a. Click on Reboot To complete the update process and get rid of errors in the previous version.
3 b. If done Chrome update Indeed, a message will be displayed stating that Google Chrome Updated.
Method 7: Reset Google Chrome
A complete web browser reset can also help resolve all issues that may arise due to any user-made settings modifications or other reasons.
1. Go to Google Chrome and open chrome://settings/reset page.
2. Click on the Restore settings to option. Original default settings , as prominently shown.
3. Confirm your action by clicking the “Reset settings".
Method 8: Add the Adobe Acrobat extension
If you're still experiencing problems, consider installing the Adobe Acrobat browser extension instead. It's installed by over 10000000 users and offers several additional features compared to the built-in PDF viewer. With Adobe Acrobat, you can:
- Convert PDF files to several other file types
- Fill out PDF forms easily
- Sign and draw on it
- Highlight specific sections
- Leave comments and sticky notes
- Compress PDF file to a smaller size
- Reorder and delete pages
Here are the steps to add an extension: Adobe Acrobat In Chrome to avoid PDF files not opening in Chrome issue altogether:
1. Go to the extension page. Adobe Acrobat In the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click the buttonAdd to Chrome”, highlighting showb.
3. Then click on the “add extension" For confirmation.
4. Coming soon and downloadingAdd extension In Chrome. Now check if the PDF viewer not working issue in Chrome has been resolved.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q1. why don't you open PDF files In Chrome browser?
answer. PDF files may not open in the Chrome web browser if third-party extensions are tampering with the PDF viewer. This could also be due to corrupted or overloaded cookies and cache files, errors in the current version of Chrome, or an enabled auto-download feature.
Q2. how I can Enable PDF Viewer In Chrome?
answer. The PDF viewer is enabled by default, however, if Chrome automatically downloads PDF files instead of opening them in a new tab, type the specific path in the bar. URL chrome://settings/content/pdfDocuments And press Enter. On the next page, make sure the option to open PDF files in Chrome is selected.
We hope you were able to fix the issue of PDF files not opening in Chrome due to the Chrome PDF viewer not working using the methods mentioned above. If you have any doubts/queries regarding this, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
