PDF files are blank or cause an error message on Mac

This article is no longer maintained, so its content might be out of date.

Note: This article only applies to Mac computers.

Adobe Reader installs the "Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in" for viewing PDF files inside your browser. If you use this plugin in Firefox, PDF files may be blank or you may see the message, Adobe Reader cannot show documents in this browser. We'll explain how to fix that.

In order to view PDF files again, follow these steps:

  1. Click the menu button The image "new fx menu" does not exist. and select Preferences….
  2. Select the Applications panel.
  3. Type pdf into the search bar.
  4. For each content type listed, click on the drop-down menu in the Action column.
    Preferences - Applications - PDF. Storyboardpdf 57
  5. Change the selection to another action, such as Preview in Firefox or Use Preview.
  6. Close the Preferences window.

These fine people helped write this article:

AliceWyman, Michele Rodaro, Michael Verdi, scoobidiver, John99, Swarnava Sengupta, ideato, Lan, Simon, Joni
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