PDF files are blank or cause an error message on Mac

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  • Revision id: 44805
  • Created:
  • Creator: AliceWyman
  • Comment: adding fx19 screenshot and other edits. See discussion: Needed updates
  • 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
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When you install or update Adobe Reader, it installs the "Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in" browser plugin for viewing PDF files. The problem is that this plugin does not work in Firefox. We'll explain how to fix that.

Note: This article only applies to Mac computers.

In order to view PDF files again follow these steps:

  1. On the menu bar, click on the Firefox menu and select Preferences….
  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 (if available) Preview in Firefox, Preview, Adobe Reader, or PDF Browser Plugin (if you are using the Schubert PDF plugin).
  5. Close the Preferences window.

Preview in Firefox

Reader plugin - Mac

You can also view PDF files inside Firefox with Schubert|it PDF Browser Plugin.