A PDF viewer is undoubtedly one of the most preferred reading options in recent times. It can open all types of PDF content along with multimedia files and forms. Moreover, it also offers different ways to interact with your document. However, if you prefer using the Chrome browser, you may experience issues like PDF document not opening or the PDF document may crash altogether. Although Chrome is a much popular browser, it comes with its own downsides. However, it does come with enough options for you to fix the issue. Let’s see how to fix this PDF issue so that you can continue viewing your PDF documents hassle-free.
Cause : – This error usually occurs in 64-bit Windows computer as Adobe 64-bit PDF viewer plugin is not available for Chrome browser.
Workaround: – Try using CTRL + Click or CTRL + Mouse Middle button click or CTRL + SHIFT + Click to open to go to open a new tab with pdf in chrome,
Table of Contents
Method 1: How to Fix PDF Document Not Opening or Crashing in Chrome Browser Using Settings
Step 1: Launch the Chrome browser > click on the three vertical dots on the upper right of the browser > click on Settings in the context menu.
Step 2: In the Settings window, click on the Privacy and security option on the left side of the window > on the right-hand side of the pane, click on the arrow next to the Site Settings option.
Step 3: In the next window, scroll down and click on Additional document settings to expand it.
Now, find PDF documents and click on the arrow next to it.
Step 4: In the PDF Documents page, move the slider to turn off the option – Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome.
Note: – In latest Version of Chrome Browser , you will see two options , namely , Download PDFs and Open PDFs in chrome.
Select Open PDFs in chrome option.
Now, exit from the browser, restart Chrome, and your PDF files should be opening perfectly fine. It should also not crash anymore.
Note: – If it is already Off, then turn it On and then turn it off again. This also fixes the issue.
If it still do not work Download and install this extension. This works for most chrome user after installing the extension.
Method 2 – Turn Off Make searches and browsing better option
1 – Open Chrome Browser.
2 – Go to chrome://settings/syncSetup
3 – Now, turn off Make searches and browsing better option.
4 -Close and open chrome again. Now, try again and see if it works.
Method 3 – Disable Ask where to save each file before downloading
1 – Open Chrome Browser.
2 – Go to chrome://settings/downloads
3 – Now, disable Ask where to save each file before downloading
Method 4 – Disable hardware acceleration in Chrome
1 -Open Chrome.
2 -Go to chrome://settings/system
3 – Now, turn off hardware acceleration.
4 –Restart chrome.
Method 5: Open Chrome in incognito mode and then try to open pdf
1. Open Chrome in incognito mode. Just click on three vertical dots on top right of the chrome browser window and then click on new incognito mode.
You can also press CTRL+SHIFT+N together to open incognito mode in chrome.
2. Now, try to open the pdf in this mode.
You can also drag any pdf file inside chrome for it to open that file.
Method 6: How to Fix PDF Document Not Opening or Crashing in Chrome Browser by Updating Browser
Step 1: To update the Chrome Browser, click on the three vertical dots located at the upper right of the browser.
Step 2: Now, select Help from the context menu and click on About Google Chrome in the sub-menu on the left.
Step 3: Google Chrome starts updating automatically. Click on the Relaunch button next to it to restart the browser and for the update to be effective.
This should resolve issues with opening your PDF.
Method 7: Make chrome as default pdf file opening app
1 – Open settings by pressing Windows key and I key together from your keyboard.
2 -Now, click on Apps from the left side.
3 -Now, click on Default apps from the right side.
4 -Now, Search .PDF in search box of set a default app for file type.
5 – Make sure your default app is chrome. If not. click on the default app which appears and then choose Chrome.
I find passion in writing Tech articles around Windows PC and softwares
Tonya Warren says
The Geek Squad could not figure out this issue without escalating it and a 6+ hour wait so a huge thank you!
David Cyr says
Method 1: Chrome will allow “Download”, but won’t open a PDF in the Chrome window. Chrome doesn’t crash, the window it opens just stays blank. It used to work fine, but stopped working recently.
Louise says
Thanks, but it’s not working for me, either. My version is up-to-date: Version 91.0.4472.164 (Official Build) (64-bit).
Is there anything else to try?
Anonymous says
Useful info.. worked. Thank you
Sam says
My PDF slider was already in the off position. But after trying a few things, I thought to slide it on and then off again. That fixed the problem.
Darren says
Worked for me, thank you.
Swapnil says
Hello, Thanks for your simple article. But its not working for me, my chrome version is 90.0.4430.93. Any thing else to do show PDF files on chrome browser.
Thank you
Gherardo Conte says
Most usefull.
Thank you.
Cheers, Gherardo