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Spottyoctopus
Participant
July 19, 2018
Question

Re: Adobe reader for mac doesn't open downloaded PDF's [branched]

  • July 19, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 2244 views

I have a very similar, but no doubt related problem. We run a website and in order to make pdfs for the website in the most efficient way, we recently upgraded to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 2018.011.20055. We create the pdfs, which are fine, and we can open them on the desktop of the computer. We then load them to our website. On the website, you can click on them and view them without a problem. BUT, if you download them onto your computer, and then try to open them, you get an error message that says: "There was an error opening this document. The file is damaged and could not be repaired." This is the same whether I click on the file to open it, or got to File menu and then select Open from the finder. I have since found that if I drag the downloaded pdf to Chrome or to Preview, it opens fine, but it won't open in Acrobat Reader. I'm also on a Mac, but using Sierra 10.12.6. There is clearly nothing wrong with the pdfs themselves--the problem is that something happens to the file once it is downloaded from the website which means that Reader will not open it. Very very annoying and I hope someone here can help!

[Branched from Adobe reader for mac doesn't open downloaded PDF's by moderator]

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1 reply

AnandSri
AnandSri
Legend
July 19, 2018

Hello Spottyoctopus,

We're sorry for the trouble you had while opening the PDF file in Adobe Reader after downloading it from the website.

Is the PDF file downloaded is saved locally or on any network/external drive? Adobe Reader has nothing to do with viewing PDF in any browser or website, similarly with the download.

Navigate to Adobe Reader's Preferences once from Edit>Preferences>Security(Enhanced)>uncheck "Enable Enhanced Security" and Turn off "Protected View">Click OK, close Adobe Reader, reboot the machine and then check.

Note: Disabling the Protected View and Enhanced Security is only for testing purpose, enable it back.

Also, refer to the following Adobe article and try the suggestion Resolve damaged document error when opening PDF files

Cannot Open Damaged File (Acrobat Reader)

Can't open PDF

Let us know how it goes and share your observation.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

S
SpottyoctopusAuthor
Participant
July 20, 2018

Hi Anand Sri

The PDF file downloaded is saved locally on my computer.

I have unchecked "Enable Enhanced Security", but I couldn't find where to turn off "Protected View". I went to this page here: Protected View feature for PDFs (Windows), Adobe Reader  but on my computer in Adobe Acrobat Reader Preferences, on the Security (enhanced) page there is no other option to adjust any other settings. There is no Sandbox Protection section.

Having turned off "Enable Enhanced Security", I clicked OK, rebooted the machine and then tried again to open the PDF file. It still wouldn't open; same error message.

I didn't find the articles you supplied links to very helpful. The main idea seemed to be, find an older version and use that! But I bought the latest version...shouldn't that work too?????

I will now go back in and retick "Enable Enhanced Security".

I've been told that actually you can combine single PDF files using Preview, which comes free on my Mac. Maybe the answer is to cancel my Adobe Acrobat Reader subscription and use that instead.

I hope you can come up with a solution otherwise that's what I'll be forced to do.

Thanks

AnandSri
AnandSri
Legend
July 20, 2018

Hello Spottyoctopus,

We're sorry for the trouble you had, Adobe Reader is a free software and you don't have to purchase any subscription for it.

I have checked the records with your Adobe ID and found that you are subscribed to Team subscription of Acrobat Pro DC and the license is assigned to your Adobe ID(email).

Install Acrobat Pro DC on your machine and check if the issue is reproducible. Download Pro or Standard versions of Acrobat DC | Non-subscription

if you still experience the issue with Acrobat Pro DC, will request you to contact the Acrobat support team so that they can schedule a remote session and can investigate more and assist you in a better manner. Contact support Contact Customer Care

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

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