PDF files are blank or cause an error message on Mac

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  • Revision id: 24016
  • Created:
  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: v1
  • Reviewed: Yes
  • Reviewed:
  • Reviewed by: Verdi
  • Is approved? Yes
  • Is current revision? No
  • Ready for localization: Yes
  • Readied for localization:
  • Readied for localization by: Verdi
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When you install or update Adobe Reader, it installs a plugin for viewing PDF files inside Firefox and sets that as the default. The problem is that this plugin does not work. In order to view PDF files again follow these steps:

Note: This article only applies to Mac computers.
  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Applications panel.
  3. Type pdf into the search bar.
  4. For each content type listed, click on the drop-down menu in the Action column and change the selection to use Adobe Reader, Preview or PDF Browser Plugin (if you are using the Schubert PDF plugin).
    Reader plugin - Mac
  5. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.

You can also view PDF files inside Firefox with these add-ons:

For details on using these and help fixing problems, please see, View PDF files in Firefox or choose another viewer.