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Participating Frequently
March 16, 2019
Question

Can't open pdf files

  • March 16, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 2744 views

My older pdf files open with "Preview" but stopped opening with Acrobat Reader - probably after an Acrobat update. I tried deleting and reinstalling an "older version" but it appears it reinstalled the same Adobe Acrobat Reader DC that doesn't work. Why wouldn't newer versions continue to open older pdf files and why didn't Adobe give us an easy way to update the older file if necessary? Pretty frustrating waste of time.

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    1 reply

    AkanchhaS8194121
    Legend
    March 25, 2019

    Hey Hank,

    If you were able to open the older files with previous version of Adobe Reader than newer version should also let you open the file without any trouble.

    I tried deleting and reinstalling an "older version" but it appears it reinstalled the same Adobe Acrobat Reader DC that doesn't work.

    Its a design behavior, Reader DC is set for automatic update. You can not get downgrade to older version.

    Why wouldn't newer versions continue to open older pdf files and why didn't Adobe give us an easy way to update the older file if necessary? Pretty frustrating waste of time.

    When you say your older files are not opening, what does it means? Do you get any error message while opening pdf?

    Read this article here: Can't open PDF  and follow the suggestion.

    Thanks,

    Akanchha

    hank3377Author
    Participating Frequently
    March 25, 2019

    Acrobat Reader opens to a grey screen. It shows 62 pages. When I scroll down you can see a line go by for each page but there is no text - just grey screen.

    AkanchhaS8194121
    Legend
    June 5, 2019

    Hi Hank,

    I'm sorry for not being able to follow up with you on time. Are you still struggling to open PDF in Adobe Reader?

    You may install the latest patch version 2019.012.20034 released for Acrobat/Reader. Open Reader>Help>Check for update>Reboot System

    DC Release Notes — Release Notes for Acrobat DC Products this patch has fix for the issues reported with the earlier versions.

    If it still doesn't help, then Open Reader>Edit>Security(Enhanced)>disable "Protected View" and Enhanced Security>Reboot Reader and check again.

    Note: Changing the above security settings could pose security risks. We suggest you to turn it back On once you are done with testing.

    Let us know if you have managed to find the solution.

    Thanks,

    Akanchha