How to Fix PDF File Not Opening issue

In this article, we are going to guide and help you on how to fix PDF File Not Opening Problems on any Operating Systems.

PDF files are widely used by most computer users from any operating system worldwide. It is primarily used as a read-only file document type. You can create your PDF file from Adobe Acrobat software or any other software with a .pdf extension name. If you have Adobe Acrobat or any other software that supports PDF files on your PC, you can open and view PDF files and convert them into different file formats for editing.

But sometimes, some PDF files don’t open properly, and even if it opens, the pdf reader software crashes instantly. It shows you an error message stating why you can’t open the file anymore. There are some major and minor causes for these PDF file access restrictions.

So in this article, we will guide and help you on how to fix the PDF file not opening or access restriction problems.

Why is my PDF File Not Opening

Here are some possible causes for the PDF file not opening.

• No PDF file reader software in the system
• PDF files might have a password protection
• Virus or malicious PDF file
• The file is not complete or compatible with the PDF reader application
• Older version of the PDF reader software
• Big size of the PDF file

Now further any delay, let’s check out the possible ways to fix the pdf file not opening issue.

How to Fix PDF File Not Opening issue

Reinstall or Repair the PDF software

If you have a 3rd party PDF reader in your system, repair, update, or uninstall it entirely and then reinstall it again. If possible, install Adobe Acrobat Reader because it is the official and best software to access PDF files.

Remove Password Protection

Sometimes PDF files are protected with passwords. Remove or unlock the file with the correct password instead of trying other ways to open it.

Set Adobe Acrobat as the default PC PDF File Access Program

If your system has many PDF reader software present along with Acrobat Reader, then only set the Adobe Acrobat Reader as the default application for PDF files. Follow the below process for both Microsoft Windows.

• Right, Click on any PDF file.
• Choose the Open With option and then select Choose another app
• Now from the list, like Adobe Acrobat DC and click on the check box “Always USE this App to Open .pdf files.”
• Click the Ok button to save your settings.

Resize PDF File to Solve the Problem of PDF file not opening

Often, PDF file doesn’t get open for their big file size. Go to any online file size-reducing website and resize your PDF file.

Update Your PDF Reader Software

If your PDF reader software is older than the PDF file version, it will surely struggle to open the PDF file. Update the PDF reader software to solve this issue.

Run your PDF Reader Software as Compatibility Mode

If your PDF reader software version doesn’t match your operating system, try to run the software in compatibility mode. This might fix the problem of your PDF files not opening.

Adobe Acrobat Protection Mode

This Adobe Acrobat feature blocks the pdf file access for suspicious contents. Turn it off, and you can reaccess the pdf file.

• Go to the edit option of the Adobe Reader Software
• After that, Click on Preferences
• Now go to Security Options and uncheck the “Enable Protected Mode box.”
• Click the OK button to save your settings.

So this was all about how to fix pdf files on opening on Windows. If you think we have missed out on anything, let us know in the comments below!

That’s all, folks!