Preview not opening PDF files

Hi.  For a while now (to when I was on Lion as well as Mavericks) my Macbook Air has been unable to load PDF's in Preview.  When I right click a PDF and Open With, Preview isn't even listed.  When I go to Other, Preview is even greyed out in the Recommended Applications list.  I can select All, and then select Preview, and Preview loads its icon on my dock, but nothing gets displayed.  If I load Preview and try to load a PDF from within it, the PDF file is greyed out.  I was told a while ago to install Adobe Reader to at least be able to read PDF's using another app until this is fixed.  I was hoping Mavericks install was going to fix this, but it has made no difference.  I have also tried repairing disk permissions to no avail.  My friend has also tried putting their Preview app on a USB stick and for me to try their app, but it does exactly the same thing on my Macbook, yet it works perfectly on theirs.
Is there anything I can do to fix this?

Never mind.  I uninstalled Adobe Reader, then found another app I'd downloaded a while ago was set as the default reader, which basically just scanned the file.  Uninstalling that resolved the issue.  Preview was then set as default and PDF's were then viewable in Quick Look and Preview.

Similar Messages

  • Preview not opening pdf files unless they have an pdf extension

    Preview will not open pdf that does not have a pdf extension. If I give a valid pdf file a random extension like .xxx, preview opens without windows. If I give it .jpg it opens with a questionmark in a window. If I give it pdf it open without a glitch.
    Why cannot Preview detect whether a file is open-able or not an not give a **** about extension. This is not windows but a unix system
    The problem exist when a pdf file is downloaded by firefox and not given a .pdf extention in the downloads folder. In Safari the file is opened without problems inside Safari.

    Yeah, but Preview wont open the file at all, even through the open dialog, all files not associated with preview are greyed out. Shouldn't a program open a file if told to?
    Yes, I agree with you. I also could not open the files unless I changed their extensions.
    Also the "file" command has no problem finding out it's a pdf. I believe its an obsolete thing specifying filetype on extension, and not on content. Is is possible to get preview to open the file depending on content and not on extention.
    Like I said, I think this was a conscious choice that Apple made with OS X, but I'm not sure why the decided to go that way (maybe posting on one of the dev lists would give you the answer to that).
    I haven't been able to get Preview to open files once I've changed the file extension...

  • Adobe reader will not open pdf files I have saved as, or, export as pdf to my desktop (latest Maverick). The same file does open when I am on the source website (i.e. user manuals etc.). Why?

    Adobe reader will not open pdf files I have saved as, or, export as pdf to my desktop (latest Maverick). The same file does open when I am on the source website (i.e. user manuals etc.). Why?

    iMac G4, Mac OS X (10.4.9)
    Make sure you have the latest Adobe Reader installed for your OS.
    http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?platform=macintosh&product=10
    Did you try using Preview. If you control click on the PDF on your desktop you can use the "open with" option.

  • I need to make a pdf document, made in photoshop, 'page turn' and then add it to my website. I know I can do this in indesign but indesign will not open pdf files for some inexplicable reason. Any ideas how I can do it without completely starting again?

    I need to make a pdf document, already made in photoshop, 'page turn' and then add it to my website as an e-brochure. I know I can do this in indesign but indesign will not open pdf files for some inexplicable reason. Any ideas how I can do it without completely starting again?

    Hello waitingone,
    please try this (all terms are translated from my German programs to my best knowledge):
    1. Did the creator of the pdf file enable the import options?
    2. See import options: choose an other visibility option for your layer.
    3. Let you show the import options and click into one with a black background and try these out (often a gray is selected).
    4. See trimming: try the different modes there. Often works: "Media".
    5. Is the pdf file (eg from Word) correctly created?
    6. Is the PDF file protected? >>> no import possible.
    7. If that does not help, store the pdf file in Acrobat, repair possible errors, run the PDF Optimizer before placing in InDesign.
    Good luck!
    Hans-Günter

  • Safari will not open pdf files.

    Safari will not open pdf files, instead I get a blank grey screen. How can I get a viewable and downloadable screen/file? Tried Alt/Option to view and it doesn't work either. Firefox and Chrome will not work either.

    For Mac check the Safari preferences.
    General to set the options for opening links from applications.
    Tabs to set the other options.
    Hold down the command key to open any link in a new tab.
    Sorry, gave up windows several years ago.

  • I am running Vista and Windows Mail, I can not open PDF files when in Windows Mail, I must save to Desktop first, this has changes recently and I do not know why or how to fix

    I am running Vista and Windows Mail, I can not open PDF files when in Windows Mail, I must save to Desktop first, this has changes recently and I do not know why or how to fix.
    Why after 6 year's this has changed?
    I would like to open PDF's straight from Window Mail.

    Good day Jeff.
    I am running most current Adobe Reader X.
    Tks Mark

  • Safari 5.1.7 will not open pdf files

    I have Safari 5.1.7 and it will not open pdf files.
    I have checked the internet plug in folder and there is no Adobe Acrobat Reader in it.
    I have Adobe Acrobat reader in my Application folder.
    Thankyou

    Select Help ▹ Installed Plug-ins from the Safari menu bar. Besides the following, what plugins are listed?
    iPhotoPhotocast
    Java
    QuickTime
    Shockwave Flash
    WebKit built-in PDF

  • Could not open PDF Files with Safari using Lion - Solution

    Two for one solution:
    After installing Lion on my Macbook Pro, I could not open PDF files on line via Safari and iPhoto 11 kept crashing.
    Well, the solution for bothy problems was to remove the "3ivx" file. 
    The easiest way to do so is go to Applications > 3ivx folder > run Remove 3ivx app.
    OR:
    Finder > Library folder > Application Support folder > drag "3ivx" folder to trash and trash.

    Does Safari - Help - Installed Plug-ins show anything for pdf other than WebKit built-in PDF ?

  • Why can I not open PDF-files in InDesign CS4?

    Hi,
    Well then, as I wrote in the headline... Why can I not open PDF-files?
    I get a notification that says that either the file is already open (which it's not) or it is missing a plug-in thingy for this kind of file.
    So, how do I know which plug-in thing I should chose from Adobe which will solve my problem?
    Could it be enough just to update the program? I tried with 6.0.6. upgrade but it wouldn't even open up. I'm not so good at this type of computerproblems (choosing upgrades, plug-in etc.). The program is not upgraded for a long time, unless it do it automatically, but I think we've chosen it not to....
    Please help!
    /S

    See: Zanelli Multipage Importer
    http://indesignsecrets.com/zanelli-releases-multipageimporter-for-importing-both-pdf-and-i ndd-files.php/comment-page-1

  • I can not open PDF files in safari

    I can not open PDF files in safari. How can I fix this problem?

    Back up all data.
    Quit Safari. In the Finder, select Go ▹ Go to Folder... from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-G. Copy the line of text below into the box that opens, and press return:
    /Library/Internet Plug-ins
    From the folder that opens, remove any items that have the letters “PDF” in the name. You may be prompted for your login password. Then launch Safari and test.
    If you still have the issue, repeat with this line:
    ~/Library/Internet Plug-ins
    If you don’t like the results of this procedure, restore the items from the backup you made before you started. Relaunch Safari again.

  • I'm using iphone 4S, and I can not open PDF file only from my husband email that using Mic outlook. It was very weird because I can received other email with pdf file from other people. can someone help.

    I'm using iphone 4S and ipad mini, and I can not open PDF file only from my husband email that using Mic outlook. It was very weird because I can received other email with pdf file from other people. Can someone help...
    Thanks in advance

    Hi Eidda,
    This may because the attachment is a winmail.dat file. I would recommend taking a look at the article below for more information. Note: the article is written for OS X mail, but does also apply to this situation.
    Mac OS X Mail: What is a winmail.dat attachment?
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2614
    -Griff W.

  • Firefox will not open pdf files & changes the options/applications settings?

    At first, with default settings, Firefox would not open pdf files & came up only with a blank screen & no file reference. Going to options/applications & changing the default to a new installation of Adobe Reader still brought up a blank screen but this time with the file ref. Oddly though, attempting to open any pdf file would then change the setting under applications back to Use Adobe Acrobat (in Firefox). But this doesn't work. So what do I need to do to get Firefox to open pdf files correctly using Adobe Reader?

    See if either of these support article help you.
    https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox
    https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Opening+PDF+files+within+Firefox

  • Reader 10.1.0 will not open PDF files

    Hi
    Reader 10.1.0 will not open PDF files in windows 7 64 bit using IE9
    However it open using firefox?
    Is it my settings ?
    Is this version not compatible with IE9 ???
    Please advise
    Thanks
    Perry

    I am able to open PDF in IE9 on win 7 64 bit machine using Reader 10.1
    Additionally,as per system requirements mentioned in Reader 10.1 download page (http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5138),Reader 10.1 is compatible with IE9.
    What error message do you encounter when you try to open PDF in IE9?

  • I can't not open pdf files give acro missing compwclass acrord32.exe application error

    I can't not open pdf files give acro missing compwclass acrord32.exe application error any fixes known.  I did the repair on the program

    What is your operating system?  Reader version?

  • Safari will not open pdf files. Newest version of Adobe Reader installed

    Safari will not open pdf files.  I have the newest version of Adobe Reader. 

    Plug-ins enabled?
    Safari > Preferences > Security > Web content:
    Enable plug-ins

Maybe you are looking for

  • Error while loading the multiple instance of Acrobat

    Dear all,      While loading multiple instances of an acrobat application I get an error message stating that:           "The organizer database is damaged and will be reset the next time Acrobat is launched.                    Quit the Application a

  • Maya .iff image files in Photoshop?  Plug-in where?

    From looking around the web it seems like there is a way to view .iff files rendered from Maya in Photoshop. In fact, adobe even has a page saying that it is possible with CS3 with the "optional plug-in", but no where does it say where you get this p

  • Fixed and Detailed proportions

    Hello Friends When should one use fixed proportion and detailed proportion? Under what conditions ? Please help... Regards RK

  • Can i see dropped object details in redo log files ?

    Good morning ! This redo log records all changes made in datafiles. If i drop any object , How can i check this entry in redo log file ? Please help me.

  • Where to get dbx viewer?

    My .dbx file is crashed by unknown reason. I have been using Outlook Express 5 for some years. But now I need to view dbx file without Outlook Express, because standart recovery set of Outlook Express didn't help me to get my .dbx back.