Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer

Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer is facing a new issue where it cannot open .pdfs files and all you get is a yellow triangle exclamation mark and the warning “Error on Page.” Although the file can be accessed in other browsers such as Google Chrome or Firefox but not in Internet Explorer. Similarly, the same error is displayed if you try to open the PDF files in Microsoft Edge, so you can safely assume that it’s a problem with both Microfot Edge and Internet Explorer. When you try to open the PDF files in Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge you will face the following error message:

Internet Explorer has stopped working. A problem caused the program to stop working correctly.
Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available.

OR

Adobe Acrobat does not support Internet Explorer’s Enhanced Protection Mode (EPM). Either install the latest version of Adobe Reader or disable EPM in Internet Explorer.

Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer Error

In previous versions of Internet Explorer, the pdf files used to take a lot of time to load and sometimes it used to hands while downloading the file in which case you could simply end the process using Task Manager. But if you are unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer at all then you need to fix this issue as soon as possible. So without wasting any time let’s see how to actually Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer with the help of below-listed troubleshooting steps.

Note: Make sure your Adobe or Acrobat Reader is up to date before continuing.

Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Reset the Display PDF In Browser preference

1.Close Internet Explorer or any other browser before continuing.

2.Open Acrobat or Adobe reader and then from the menu click on Edit and then select Preferences.

In Adobe Acrobat Reader click Edit then Preferences

3.Now from the left-hand pane which has Categories select Internet.

4.Deselect Display PDF in the browser, and then click OK.

Deselect Display PDF in the browser, and then click OK

5.Restart your Internet Explorer.

Method 2: Enable Adobe PDF Reader Extension

1.Open Internet Explorer then press the Alt key to bring up the menu.

2.From IE menu click on Tools > Manage Add-ons.

click Tools then Manage add-ons

3.Find Adobe PDF Reader or Acrobat Reader from the list of Ad-ons.

Find Adobe PDF Reader or Acrobat Reader from the list of Ad-ons and click Enable

4.Make sure to enable the above extensions by clicking Enable button at the bottom.

4.Restart your browser and see if you’re able to Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer.

Method 3: Change Internet Explorer Security Settings

1.Press Windows Key + R then type inetcpl.cpl and hit Enter to open Internet Properties.

inetcpl.cpl to open internet properties

2.Switch to Security tab and then click the icon labeled as “Internet“.

3.Adjust the security level to “Medium-high” or only “Medium” by dragging the slider towards the bottom.

sel internet security medium in internet properties

Note: In order to enable the Slider, click the Default level button.

4.Click Apply followed by OK.

5.Restart your browser and see if you’re able to Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer.

Method 4: Clear Internet Explorer Cache

1.Press Windows Key + R then type “inetcpl.cpl” (without quotes) and hit enter to open Internet Properties.

inetcpl.cpl to open internet properties

2.Now under Browsing history in the General tab, click on Delete.

click Delete under browsing history in Internet Properties

3.Next, make sure the following are checked:

  • Temporary Internet files and website files
  • Cookies and website data
  • History
  • Download History
  • Form data
  • Passwords
  • Tracking Protection, ActiveX Filtering, and Do NotTrack

make sure you select everything in Delete Browsing History and then click Delete

4.Then click Delete and wait for IE to delete the Temporary files.

5.Relaunch your Internet Explorer and see if you’re able to Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer.

Method 5: Recreate the Temporary Internet Files Folders

1.Press Windows Key + R then type inetcpl.cpl and hit Enter to open Internet Properties.

inetcpl.cpl to open internet properties

2.Under General tab click on Settings under browsing history.

Under browsing history click on Settings in Internet Properties

3.Now under Temporary Internet Files tab, you will see the current location, make sure to note it down.

Now under Temporary Internet Files tab, you will see the current location, make sure to note it down

4.Next, click on Move folder button at the bottom and browse to the same location which you noted in step 3.

 Note: Make sure from Folder Options to checkmark “Show hidden files, folders, and drivers” and uncheck “Hide protected operating system file“.

show hidden files and operating system files

5.If you can’t select the same folder then create a new folder then select that folder. Save changes and exit.

Create a new folder then select that folder as Temporary Internet File location

6.Again go the same setting and then again try to set the folder you noted in step 3.

Again change the location on Temporary Internet File to INetCache folder

7.Reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 6: Registry Fix

1.Press Windows Key + R then type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry editor.

Run command regedit

2.Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

3.Now in the right window pane find TabProcGrowth DWORD, if you can’t find it then you need to manually create this DWORD.

Right-click on Main then select New and click on DWORd (32-bit) value

4.Right-click on Main and then select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this newly created DWORD as TabProcGrowth.

5.Double click on it and change it’s value to 1. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

Double click on TabProGrowth DWORD and set it' value to 1

6.Reboot your PC to save changes and again see if the error is resolved or not.

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That’s it you have successfully Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer but if you still have any questions regarding this post feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

1 thought on “Fix Unable to open PDF files in Internet Explorer”

  1. Your screenshot with Delete Cookies is wrong. You do NOT want to keep the top box checked “Preserve favorites website data”. If that’s checked anything they have in Favorites does not get cleared. Since the majority of the pages people use are book marked, you’re not clearing any cache for those. In essence you may not be fixing anything.

    Also in another slide you want it set to “Every visit to the page”. Automatic doesn’t work correctly.

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