# Firefox problem: Can't open PDF files **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 21, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116 "2006-12-21T19:57:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/1 "2006-12-21T19:57:34Z")
When I click on a link to a PDF file, nothing downloads. A tab with the URL/PDF written on it appears, then nothing happens. I have the latest updates, but I’ve never been able to get Firefox to open PDF files. Using the latest IE, no problems. A PDF filed downloads and opens instantly. Is this a setting issue under Tools \> Options? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/2 "2006-12-21T20:26:52Z")
In FF 2, check the settings under Tools - Options - Content - File Types - Manage (button) There should be an entry there for PDF (not necessarily in alphabetical order). Set the action to open it with Adobe Acrobat. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/3 "2006-12-21T20:38:39Z")
In addition, go get the [PDF Download](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/636/) extension. It offers options to download, open within the browser, open outside of the browser, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/4 "2006-12-21T21:50:28Z")
[QUOTE=Duckster] In addition, go get the [PDF Download](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/636/) extension. It offers options to download, open within the browser, open outside of the browser, etc. [/QUOTE] Ironically, I can’t open that. A message pops up saying Adobe couldn’t open it because it either wasn’t a supported file type or the file has been damaged. Tried 3 X. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/5 "2006-12-21T21:51:37Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ] There should be an entry there for PDF (not necessarily in alphabetical order). Set the action to open it with Adobe Acrobat. [/QUOTE] Nope. I don’t see that entry. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Unix\_Geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unix_geek/32/19368_2.png) [@Unix\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unix_Geek)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/6 "2006-12-21T21:58:17Z")
Please post version of Firefox (1.5.x or 2.x) and what version of Acrobat. Oh and under what OS? I had this problem and was able to fix it under 1.5. I’ll look at my notes and see if I can find the fix. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2006, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/7 "2006-12-21T22:59:04Z")
Here’s how I’m set up with XP and FF 2.0 (IIRC, it was similar with 1.5). Click on tools/options. At the bottom of the pane is “File Types”. Click on the “manage” button. Now look for the PDF entry. Highlight it and click on the “Remove” button. Once you’ve done that, every time FF will ask you if you want to save the PDF or open it with some program. On that pane, you can point it to Acrobat or some other PDF reader. There should also be a check box on that pane saying “Do this every time” or some such thing. Leave it blank if you want to _choose_ every time. Acrobat also has a preference related to this. In 7.0, click on edit/preferences, then select “internet”. There’s a check box that says “display pdf in browser”. To display this in stand-alone Acrobat rather than embedded in the browser, uncheck this box. However, I’ve noticed that I still have this box checked, but I never get the PDF displayed embedded in FF. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefox-problem-cant-open-pdf-files/385116/8 "2006-12-22T03:15:22Z")
Got it working! Many thanks, fellas! 😉