Open Adobe Reader Click on the ‘Edit’ menu then ‘Preferences’ Click on ‘General’ on the side bar Click on the button ‘Select Default PDF Handler’. Microsoft Edge web browser has a default PDF viewer on Windows 10, but users face some issues still while trying to open the internet link or launching the particular file. There are some particular errors that show up on the screen when the file is not openable. To easily fix a PDF file that won’t open, you may install the latest Adobe Acrobat version or disable the Protected mode at startup. Refer to this dedicated guide for more quick fixes. How do I enable Adobe Reader? To enable Adobe Reader, enable Allow Always under When Visiting Other Websites and you’re good to go.
For many people, Adobe Reader and Acrobat are two important tools that are used on a daily basis. After all, it is more convenient to exchange documents in PDF format online. However, what will you do if your files in PDF don’t open in Windows 10?
We understand how important it is for you to be able to open your important files as soon as possible. As such, we’ve listed some tips that will teach you how to fix PDF won’t open in Windows 10. Keep on reading this article and learn not only the methods for resolving this issue but also the reasons why it occurs. In this way, you can prevent the problem from recurring.
Reasons behind PDF not opening in Windows 10
If you seem to have trouble opening PDF files on your Windows computer, it is likely that it has something to do with a recent Adobe Reader or Acrobat installation/update. On the other hand, PDF not opening in Windows 10 can also be caused by errors brought by an operating system upgrade. Here are some of the factors that may prevent you from opening files in Adobe Reader or Acrobat:
- Outdated Acrobat or Adobe Reader
- PDF files which have not been created using Adobe programs
- Damaged PDF files
- Installed Acrobat or Adobe Reader may be damaged
- PDF files with malicious data
Method 1: Changing your Adobe Reader settings
When files in PDF don’t open in Windows 10, something must have gone wrong when you upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8. You might not see an error message, but a busy icon shows up for a few seconds. Typically, the root cause of this issue can be traced from the settings of your Adobe Reader. With that said, you can resolve the problem by following the steps below:
- Click the Search icon.
- Type “Reader” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
- Go to the top menu and click Edit.
- Once you’re inside the Edit menu, look for Preferences and click it.
- A new window will show up. Click Security (enhanced).
- Under the Sandbox Protection options, uncheck the box beside “Enable Protected Mode at startup”.
- You will be asked if you want to continue with the changes. Click Yes.
Method 2: Outdated Adobe Reader or Acrobat
Your old Adobe Reader or Acrobat might not be suitable to open newer PDF files. Keep in mind that Adobe regularly releases updates or patches to fix bugs. So, you have to ensure that your program has been updated to the latest version. Simply follow the instructions below:
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- Launch Adobe Reader or Acrobat.
- Click Help, then choose Check For Updates from the drop-down list.
- An update dialog box will pop out. This tool will check available updates.
- You can automatically update to the newer version by clicking Update.
- Restart your computer and check if the issue has been fixed.
Method 3: Checking if the PDF file is damaged
If the PDF file was created using a malfunctioning program, then it can possibly arrive to you in a damaged form. As such, you would not be able to open it using your PDF reader. On the other hand, it is possible that the file sent to you contains corrupted data. Aside from that, if the file was transferred from a flash drive or website, it is possible that it has been damaged through transit.
Try opening another PDF file to know if the one in question is damaged. If you know for sure that there’s nothing wrong with your computer or your Reader, then simply ask for another copy of the file. You can also ask the sender to deliver the file to you in a different format.
On the other hand, if you notice that all the files you transfer from flash drives or external storage devices seem to be damaged, then there must be something wrong with your drivers. As such, we recommend using Auslogics Driver Updater to ensure that you can move PDF files with no problems. This tool will automatically update all your drivers to the latest manufacturer-recommended versions. Emergency software recovery and initialization download. This also means that your computer’s speed and performance will drastically improve!
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Method 4: Using an older version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat
Some PDF files that have not been created using Adobe products may not be compatible with Acrobat or Reader. It is possible that these files do not meet Adobe specifications or standards. However, it is worth noting that older versions of Adobe Reader or Acrobat are not as strict as the recent versions when it comes to standards compliance.
If you are absolutely sure that the PDF file does not contain malicious content, then you can consider using an earlier version of Reader or Acrobat to open it. Of course, you have to uninstall the version you’re currently using, then go online and find an installer for the older version.
Method 5: Repairing your Adobe Acrobat or Reader
Another reason why you can’t open PDF files is damaged Acrobat or Reader software. It is possible that due to certain errors, the program cannot properly execute its functions. You can resolve this issue by repairing the version you installed on your computer. With that said, follow the instructions below:
- Launch Adobe Acrobat or Reader.
- Click Help.
- From the drop-down list, select Repair Installation.
- You will be asked if you want to repair your currently installed Reader or Acrobat version. Click the Yes button.
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The methods we mentioned should be able to fix PDF not opening in Windows 10. On the other hand, if none of our solutions works for you, you can always try uninstalling and reinstalling your Adobe Acrobat or Reader.
Do you think there are better ways to fix this issue?
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Let us know in the comments below!