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I can no longer open PDF files with Firefox.

  • 6 replies
  • 17 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by omuineog

omuineog
omuineog
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I get a blank screen. Just started happening recently after upgrading to Firefox 9. I'm now using 11. I've tried all the troubleshooting steps from Firefox and Adobe with no success. It works with IE, so it's definitely related somehow to Firefox. If I can't fix it, I may have to give up Firefox, which I really don't want to do. There are too many sites on which I need this to work. Any other thoughts? Thanks.

I get a blank screen. Just started happening recently after upgrading to Firefox 9. I'm now using 11. I've tried all the troubleshooting steps from Firefox and Adobe with no success. It works with IE, so it's definitely related somehow to Firefox. If I can't fix it, I may have to give up Firefox, which I really don't want to do. There are too many sites on which I need this to work. Any other thoughts? Thanks.

Modified by omuineog

Chosen solution

I think I may have fixed it. Hopefully, it will stay that way. I had an extension, PDF Download, which I disabled and now I was able to open PDFs on three different sites I tried. I've had this extension for a long time, so don't know why it would suddenly be causing a problem. For now, I'm considering it resolved. Will post again if it recurs. Thanks to all who tried to help.

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All Replies (6)

Matt_G
Matt_G
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Hi omuineog,

Have you looked at the View PDF files using Firefox’s built-in viewer Knowledge Base article? There is a lot of good information in there. It actually has two options in there for opening PDF files. I'll suggest that you try both of them just in case.

Hopefully this helps!

omuineog
omuineog Question owner
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Thanks, Matt. I had done all of that with no success.

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Try to delete the mimeTypes.rdf file in the Firefox Profile Folder to reset all file actions.

You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
omuineog
omuineog Question owner
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Thanks, but that didn't help either.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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WORKAROUND

I know this isn't a real solution, and on some sites it breaks the UI, but I prefer to launch PDFs directly into Adobe Reader. Two places to check for this:

(1) Adobe Reader (or Acrobat) preferences

Edit > Preferences > Internet > uncheck the box for Display PDF in browser

(2) Firefox Application Options

orange Firefox button or classic Tools menu > Options > Applications

In the search box, type or paste pdf and pause while Firefox filters the list. Change the action in the right column to "Always Ask" (this presents the Open/Save dialog).

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

omuineog
omuineog Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

I think I may have fixed it. Hopefully, it will stay that way. I had an extension, PDF Download, which I disabled and now I was able to open PDFs on three different sites I tried. I've had this extension for a long time, so don't know why it would suddenly be causing a problem. For now, I'm considering it resolved. Will post again if it recurs. Thanks to all who tried to help.