An Adobe Acrobat product may be unable to display a PDF file inside a compatible web browser window if the Acrobat product can't read the PDF file, if the web browser isn't configured correctly with the Adobe PDF Browser plug-in, or if the web server on which the PDF file is stored can't serve the PDF file. This problem may manifest in a number of ways, including (but not limited to) the following behaviors:
Work through the tasks in this document to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
1. Configure the web browser to use the Adobe PDF Browser plug-in.
2. Make sure that the system meets the requirements.
To determine if your browser is compatible with the Acrobat product, see the system requirements in the ReadMe file that is installed with the Acrobat product. For Acrobat 6.0.x products, see document 314885, "Acrobat PDF-capable web browsers and PDFMaker-compatible applications (Acrobat 6.0)." Acrobat 5.0x and 6.0x products do not support PDF viewing within a web browser on Mac OS X.
3. Install the latest version of the Acrobat product.
The latest version of Acrobat or Adobe Reader may be more compatible with the operating system and drivers. Before you install an update or upgrade, make sure that the system meets the requirements.
Free updates for Acrobat and Adobe Reader are available from the Adobe website at http://adobe.com/support/downloads. You can purchase upgrades from Adobe Authorized Resellers and from Adobe directly by visiting the Adobe website at http://store.adobe.com/store, or by calling Customer Services at 800-833-6687.
4. Enable Acrobat ActiveX control. (Windows only)
If you use Internet Explorer on Windows, enable the Acrobat ActiveX control in the security options.
Note: This procedure changes the security options for all ActiveX Controls in Internet Explorer. If you prefer to use stricter security, contact your Network Administrator or Microsoft for information about using the Administrator Approved setting in Internet Explorer's Security panel.
To enable the ActiveX control:
5. Try to open a local copy of a PDF file in the Acrobat product.
Determine if the Acrobat product can open the PDF file from the local hard drive rather than from the web:
If the PDF file opens, complete task 6.
If the Acrobat product displays a blank screen or returns an error when you try to open the PDF file, the PDF file is damaged. For assistance, contact the webmaster of the site from which you downloaded the PDF file.
6. Try to open a local copy of a PDF file in the web browser.
Determine if the web browser can open the PDF file from your local hard drive rather than from the web:
7. Delete temporary Internet files.
If you use Internet Explorer on Windows, delete the temporary files that Internet Explorer creates.
8. Repair the Acrobat product. (Acrobat 6.0x products only)
To repair the Acrobat product, you must have access to the installation media or to the network path from which you originally installed the product.
9. Deselect the Display PDF In Browser preference.
If this does not work, open the Acrobat product and select Display PDF In Browser.