A Comprehensive Guide to Fix “Can't Open PDF in Outlook” Issue

PDF files are commonly used for sharing documents, forms, and other information securely across different platforms and devices. While Outlook, the popular email client from Microsoft, allows users to send and receive PDF attachments, there are instances where users face issues opening PDF files directly from within the application.

This issue can be frustrating, especially when you need to review important documents or share them with others promptly. However, there are several potential solutions to fix the "Cannot Open PDF in Outlook" problem, and in this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various methods to help you resolve this issue effectively.

Part 1: Why I Cannot Open PDF in Outlook?

Opening PDF files in Outlook can sometimes be challenging due to various underlying factors. The potential reasons behind these difficulties may include:

Understanding the potential causes can help you identify the most appropriate solution to resolve the "Cannot Open PDF in Outlook" issue.

Part 2: A Powerful Tool to Fix PDF Attachment Not Opening in Outlook Issue

Before diving into the various methods to fix the "Cannot Open PDF in Outlook" issue, it's worth mentioning a powerful tool that can help you resolve this problem quickly and efficiently: Wondershare Repairit.

Wondershare Repairit is a comprehensive repair software designed to fix various issues related to PDF files, including corruption, password recovery, and compatibility problems. With its advanced algorithms and user-friendly interface, Repairit can repair corrupted PDF files and restore them to a usable state, potentially resolving the issue of not being able to open PDF attachments in Outlook.

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• Repair damaged files with all levels of corruption, including blank PDF, PDF not opening, PDF picture issues, PDF color issue, PDF fonts missing, unreadable pdf, etc.

• Fix text, hyperlinks, forms, headers, footers, graphs, watermarks in PDF, etc

• Perfectly repair corrupted files with a very high success rate, without modifying the original file.

• No limit to the number and size of the repairable files.

• Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 13.

• Except PDF, Repairit also supports all formats of Word, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ZIP, and Adobe files.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Wondershare Repairit to fix PDF attachments not opening in Outlook:

Step 1: Open Wondershare Repairit, choose "File Repair," click "Add," and find the PDF that won't open in Outlook.

Step 2: After adding the PDF, click "Repair" to start fixing it. Repairit will check and try to fix any problems with the file.

Step 3: Once the repair is done, preview the PDF in Repairit. If it looks good, click "Save" to save it to your computer.

Step 4: Try opening the repaired PDF attachment in Outlook.

Wondershare Repairit quickly fixes PDF issues in Outlook, saving you time. If it doesn't work or you want other options, the next section offers more methods.

Part 3: Cannot Open PDF in Outlook? Try 6 Fixes!

If you're still unable to open PDF attachments in Outlook after trying Wondershare Repairit, or if you prefer to explore other solutions to the "cannot open PDF in Outlook" problem, here are several methods you can try to resolve the issue.

Method 1: Scan the Corrupt PDF With an Anti-malware Tool

If the PDF attachment is corrupted or infected with malware, it may prevent Outlook from opening it correctly, leading to the PDF Outlook error. In such cases, scanning the PDF file with a reliable anti-malware tool can help. It identifies and removes any potential threats or corruptions that may be causing the PDF attachment not opening in Outlook issue.

Here's how you can scan a PDF file using the free Avast Antivirus:

Step 1: Download and install Avast Free Antivirus from the official website. Once installed, open the Avast user interface.

Step 2: In the main dashboard, click on the "Run Smart Scan" option. Avast will scan your PC (including PDF files stored on your device) for any potential threats or malware infections.

Step 3: If any threats are detected, follow the prompts to remove or quarantine the affected files. Once the scan is complete and the PDF file is clean, try opening it in Outlook again.

Scanning the PDF with a good antivirus like Avast can find and remove malware or corruption stopping Outlook from opening it. This is helpful if other fixes fail and you think the PDF might be compromised or damaged.

Method 2: Close Outlook from Running in the Background and Restart it

Sometimes, issues with Outlook can arise due to conflicts or errors caused by the application running in the background. Closing Outlook completely and restarting it can help resolve such issues and potentially fix the unable to open PDF from Outlook problem.

Here's how to close Outlook from running in the background and restart it:

Step 1: Press the "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager. In the Task Manager, locate the "Outlook.exe" or “Microsoft Outlook” process under the "Processes" tab.

Step 2: Select the "Outlook.exe" process and click on the "End task" button to forcefully terminate any remaining Outlook processes.

Step 3: Once all Outlook processes have been terminated, restart your computer or log out and log back in.

Step 4: After your computer has restarted, launch Outlook again and try opening a PDF attachment to see if the "cannot open PDF in Outlook" issue has been resolved.

Method 3: Disable the Protected Mode at Startup

Outlook's Protected Mode is a security feature designed to prevent potentially harmful code from running and accessing your computer's resources. However, in some cases, this feature can interfere with Outlook's ability to open certain file types, including PDF attachments, causing the problem of not opening PDF attachments in Outlook problem.

To resolve this issue, you can try disabling the Protected Mode at startup for Outlook. Here's how:

Step 1: Close Outlook if it's currently running. Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the "Run" dialog box. Type "outlook.exe /safe" (without quotes) and press "Enter".

Step 2: Outlook will now start in Safe Mode. Go to "File" > "Options" > "Trust Center".

Step 3: In the Trust Center settings, click on the "Trust Center Settings" button.

Step 4: In the Trust Center window, select the "Protected View" option from the left sidebar. Uncheck the box next to "Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments" and click "OK" to save the changes, which may resolve the "cannot open PDF in Outlook" issue.

Step 5: Close Outlook and restart it normally.

Try opening a PDF attachment in Outlook again to see if the "can't open PDF in Outlook" problem has been fixed.

If disabling the Protected Mode resolves the unable to open PDF from Outlook issue, you can leave it disabled. However, be aware that this may slightly reduce the security level of Outlook, so it's recommended to enable it again once the issue is resolved.

Method 4: Update Windows

Outdated or missing system updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues between Outlook and other components, resulting in problems like "PDF attachment not opening in Outlook". Keeping your Windows operating system up-to-date can help resolve such issues and improve overall system stability and security.

Step 1: Press the "Windows + I" keys to open the Settings app. Click on "Windows Update".

Step 2: Click on "Check for updates". Windows will scan for available updates and display them if any are found.

Step 3: Click on the "Download" or "Install" button to download and install the available updates, which may resolve the "cannot open PDF attachments in Outlook" issue. Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

Step 4: After installing updates, restart your computer if asked. Then, open Outlook and try to open a PDF to see if the problem is fixed.

Method 5: Re-download the PDF File

If the PDF attachment itself is corrupted or incomplete, it may prevent Outlook from opening it correctly, leading to the "cannot open PDF in Outlook" error. In such cases, re-downloading the PDF file from the original source can help resolve the issue.

Here's how to re-download a PDF attachment:

Step 1: Locate the original email containing the PDF attachment that won't open in Outlook due to the "PDF attachment not opening in Outlook" issue.

Step 2: Right-click on the PDF attachment and select "Save As" or "Download" (depending on your email client).

Step 3: Choose a location on your computer to save the re-downloaded PDF file.

Step 4: Once the download is complete, try opening the re-downloaded PDF file in Outlook to see if the "can't open PDF in Outlook" problem has been resolved.

Method 6: Repair the MS Outlook Application

If none of the previous methods have resolved the "cannot open PDF in Outlook" issue the problem may lie within the Outlook application itself. In such cases, repairing or reinstalling Outlook may be necessary to fix any corruptions or configuration issues that are causing the unable to open PDF from Outlook problem.

Here's how to repair the Outlook application:

Step 1: Close Outlook if it's currently running.

Step 2: Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the "Run" dialog box. Type "appwiz.cpl" (without quotes) and press "Enter". This will open the "Programs and Features" window.

Step 3: In the "Programs and Features" window, locate "Microsoft Office" or "Microsoft Outlook" from the list of installed programs. Right-click on the Microsoft Office or Outlook entry and select "Change" or "Repair".

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate the repair process, which may resolve the "can't open PDF in Outlook" issue.

Step 5: Once the repair process is complete, restart your computer.

After the restart, launch Outlook and try opening a PDF attachment to see if the "Outlook cannot open PDF attachments" problem has been fixed.

If the repair process doesn't resolve the "PDF attachment not opening in Outlook" issue, you may need to consider uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Office or Outlook from the official Microsoft website or your installation media.

Conclusion

Not being able to open PDF attachments in Outlook can be a frustrating experience, with errors like "cannot open PDF in Outlook" or "can't open PDF in Outlook" causing significant inconvenience. However, with the various methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the "PDF attachment not opening in Outlook" issue effectively.

Regardless of the method you choose, it's essential to keep your software and operating system updated, maintain a reliable antivirus solution, and regularly scan for any potential threats or corruptions. By following these best practices and applying the appropriate fixes, you can ensure a smooth and uninterrupted experience when working with PDF attachments in Outlook, eliminating frustrating errors.