PDF files are blank or cause an error message on Mac

Revision Information
  • Revision id: 131344
  • Created:
  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: removed Schubert|it PDF Browser Plugin (no longer available) and other edits.
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: AliceWyman
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: AliceWyman
Revision Source
Revision Content
Note: This article only applies to Mac computers.

When you install or update Adobe Reader, it installs the "Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in" for viewing PDF files inside your browser. The problem is that this plugin does not work in Firefox. The PDF file 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: Click the menu button The image "new fx menu" does not exist. and select Preferences….

  1. Select the Applications panel.
  2. Type pdf into the search bar.
  3. For each content type listed, click on the drop-down menu in the Action column.
    Preferences - Applications - PDF. Storyboard
  4. Change the selection to another action, such as Preview in Firefox, Use Preview or Use Adobe Reader.
  5. Close the Preferences window.