Google Chrome allows you to open PDF files directly in the browser thanks to the integrated PDF viewer. It is a very simple tool, but at the same time very convenient to use: you do not need to install any additional program, all the basic functions that a PDF viewer should have are already present in Chrome.
PDF files won’t open in Chrome?
Unfortunately, a known problem usually affects the users: some PDF files won’t open in Chrome. But how can you solve it? Fortunately, there are solutions. In Chrome, you can open a PDF file normally by dragging and dropping it into the browser window, or automatically: just download the PDF file and Chrome’s PDF viewer will do the rest.
What to do if you can’t open a file in Chrome?
To resolve common PDF viewing issues with Chrome, follow the steps in this order: enable PDF plug-in in Chrome, troubleshoot PDF issues, check browser settings, repair or reinstall external PDF viewer program.
Enable the Adobe Reader plug-in in Chrome
Click the Chrome menu icon, then select More tools > Extensions. Alternatively, type chrome://extensions/ in the Chrome address bar and press Enter. Click the “Acrobat” toggle button to enable the Adobe Acrobat extension.
Acquire PDF accessibility
The file may not open for several reasons: the owner has not given you permission to open this file, you are using a different Google account, or someone has removed your file access permissions.
Chrome browser users who want to open and read PDFs know that the browser acts as the default PDF viewer. While this may be convenient for most users, the browser’s limited functionality may not be sufficient for other people. If you fall into the latter, you might want to switch to a dedicated PDF program.
Switch to a dedicated PDF viewer
If your PDF files open in Chrome, the app is set as your default PDF reader. However, this does not necessarily prevent viewing PDF files in other programs. Changing the default settings for how your device opens PDF files is a relatively simple process.
There are tons of benefits to having a dedicated PDF viewer such as SwifDoo PDF for Windows as your default PDF program. This kind of software is beneficial for those who edit and work with PDF files frequently. In addition to reading them, SwifDoo PDF allows users to convert files to various formats, add or remove content, put digital signatures, and more.
If you like to open PDF files in SwifDoo PDF instead of Chrome or any other options, follow the simple steps below.
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SwifDoo PDF settings
By default, if it is the first time you installed the SwifDoo PDF desktop program, it will remind you of setting it up as the default PDF viewer, in this case, you only need to simply hit the “OK” button.
Otherwise, you can manually complete the setup.
If your PDF launches in another software, you might need to adjust your SwifDoo PDF settings:
- Launch SwifDoo PDF on your computer.
- Click on the brand name in the upper left corner, and navigate to the “Settings” tag.
- Then in the pop-up window, check the “Set as the Default PDF Viewer” option under the “General” section.
- Now, you have set up the SwifDoo PDF as your default PDF program.
About SwifDoo PDF
SwifDoo PDF software provides functions for viewing, editing and converting PDF files (such as Word to PDF) with text recognition capabilities. There are multiple PDF editing tools are available, such as compressing, merging, splitting and deleting pages, as well as sorting and modifying context.
High-quality text recognition (OCR) has a minimum number of errors. The application offers a 7-day free trial, and in the free version there are no restrictions on viewing files. This platform is convenient for both reading and full-fledged work with PDF documents.
Main advantages of the SwifDoo PDF viewer and editor:
- Intuitive interface that makes it easy to work with PDF files.
- A wide range of features for creating and editing forms, including adding text, images, tags, etc.
- Quickly and effectively search for text in PDF documents.
- Ability to add digital signatures to ensure document authenticity.
- Ability to export documents to various formats for ease of use.
If you have been using the PDF format so far, you can still choose the Chrome browser without having to install additional software. The problem with opening PDF files in the browser itself will probably be fixed soon with updates.
You can also open a PDF file with the assistance of a dedicated PDF viewer such as the aforementioned SwifDoo PDF viewer and editor. If you use mobile devices, the PDF format can also be opened on smartphones and tablets using appropriate applications.
Chrome only allows you to view files but not edit them, while advanced solutions provide better features such as resizing, adding annotations, setting passwords, copying text, splitting documents into separate pages, and more.