An Ultimate Guide to Fix Chrome PDF Viewer Not Working in 2024

We've known about the importance and popularity of PDF files for a long time. However, PDF files are one of the most secure and convenient formats for storing critical data. Despite this, the secure PDF format can occasionally become damaged or corrupted. Yes, when you try to open them, you will experience some terrible errors, including the Chrome PDF viewer not working.

However, we understand the anxiety it is when your important PDF files become corrupted. But now there's no need to panic. Because you have clicked on the correct blog. In this blog, we will discuss and provide some amazing yet effective manual and automatic methods for dealing with the issue of being unable to view PDF files. For your ease, we've also included detailed step-by-step instructions for each method.

So, what are you waiting for? Read this entire blog to find the best way to restore effortless access to your important PDF files quickly. Keep on reading!

Part 1. How to Deal With “PDF Viewer Not Working in Chrome” Issue- 4 Quick Step-by-Step Methods

Method 1. Enable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome

To resolve compatibility issues between Google Chrome's PDF viewer and your video driver, you can try disabling and then enabling hardware acceleration. This feature uses your computer's hardware to perform specific tasks more effectively and with high performance.

To enable hardware acceleration in Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and go to the settings menu.
2. In the settings menu, select "System" from the options on the sidebar.
3. Look for the "Use Hardware Acceleration When Available" toggle on the right side of the screen and switch it off.

1. Restart Google Chrome to apply the changes.
2. After restarting Chrome, go back to the settings menu and toggle the hardware acceleration option back on.
3. Restart Chrome once more to ensure the changes take effect. And it’s done.

Now, you should be able to view PDF files without facing any “PDF viewer not working” issues using Google Chrome's PDF viewer.

Method 2. Remove All Unwanted Extensions From Google Chrome

Sometimes Google Chrome may have trouble viewing PDF files due to issues with extensions. However, extensions are useful, but they can conflict with Chrome's functions and cause problems with the PDF viewer in Chrome.

If you encounter the problem of a PDF viewer not working in Chrome, then removing all unwanted extensions will usually resolve this issue. However, to remove problematic extensions from Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
2. From the dropdown menu, select the "Extensions" option.
3. Within the Extensions tab, disable all extensions by toggling off the switch next to each one. Test if the issue persists by attempting to view a PDF file in Chrome.

But if the problem is resolved, it indicates that one of the disabled extensions was causing the issue.

Method 3. Update the Google Chrome Browser

It's important to keep your Chrome browser up to date so that you can benefit from bug fixes and get new features. However, updating your browser can often fix errors and improve performance. Here's how you can update your Chrome browser:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the settings menu option represented by three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
2. Click on "Settings" from the dropdown list that appears.
3. Click on the "About Chrome" option in the settings menu.
4. Click on "About Chrome" to view the information about your current Chrome version and check for updates.
5. If there is an update available, Chrome will automatically start downloading and installing it.

Once the update is complete, you may need to restart Chrome to apply the changes. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your Chrome browser is updated to the latest version, which may resolve issues with viewing PDF files or other errors.

Method 4. Turn Off PDF Downloads in Chrome

Turning off PDF downloads in Chrome can help resolve issues with cannot view PDF in Chrome properly. Here's how you can turn off the PDF downloads in Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the settings menu (three dots) in the top-right corner.
2. From the dropdown menu, select "Settings."
3. In the settings menu, navigate to "Privacy and security."
4. Tap "Site Settings" below "Privacy and Security."
5. Scroll down and select "Additional content settings."
6. Find and click on "PDF documents."

1. Locate the toggle switch next to "Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome."
2. Click on the toggle switch to turn off PDF downloads. And it’s done.

Following these steps will prevent Chrome from automatically downloading PDF files, giving you more control over your downloads.

Part 2. What Should I Do When Downloaded PDF Files Not Opening?

If PDF files aren't opening after downloading, then there is no need to worry. Because we have a dependable and automated tool that can resolve all the related PDF issues, including the PDF file is corrupted and cannot be opened.

However, we’re introducing to you Wondershare Repairit File Repair, an exceptional solution for repairing corrupted or damaged PDF files and returning them to their original state of use. Aside from that, this tool uses advanced algorithms to scan and analyze the structure of corrupted PDF files, automatically detecting and repairing a wide range of corruption issues.

Ultimately, Wondershare Repairit File Repair offers a convenient and efficient solution for repairing PDF files that don't open properly after downloading, making it a useful tool for individuals and businesses that use PDF documents for various purposes regularly. However, let’s take a closer look at the impressive features of this tool and an easy step-by-step guide on how to use it.

Wondershare Repairit - File Repair

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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.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1. To fix your damaged or corrupted PDF files, first you need to download the Wondershare Repairit File Repair tool on your PC.

Step 2. Once you have downloaded the tool, launch it and select the More Types Repair option, followed by the File Repair option, which is located on the left side of the screen under the Video Repair option.

Step 3. After selecting the File Repair option, click on the +Add button to add all the damaged and corrupted PDF files that you want to repair. Also, you can add multiple files at once if you want to repair them together.

Step 4. Once you have added all the damaged files, click on the Repair button to start the repair process. The repair process may take a few minutes, depending on the number of files you have added.

Step 5. Now all the damaged PDF files have been recovered, you can check the final results by selecting the Preview option. If you are satisfied with the results, click on the Save All button to save the repaired files to your desired location on your PC. That's it!

Part 3. Tips and Tricks to Prevent “My PDF Viewer is Not Working” Issue in the Future

To avoid encountering the "my PDF Viewer is not working" issue in the future, consider implementing the following tips:

• Download a reputable PDF viewer extension from the Chrome Web Store, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or PDF Viewer. This will improve compatibility and reliability when viewing PDF files.
• Clearing your browser cache and cookies regularly can help resolve temporary glitches and improve browser performance, which can prevent PDF viewing issues.
• Periodically check for and remove any unnecessary or conflicting Chrome extensions that could interfere with PDF viewing or browser functionality.
• Keep your Chrome browser up to date to make sure you have the most recent bug fixes and security patches. This will allow you to view PDFs more smoothly.

Final Words

Ultimately, It is crucial to resolve issues with Chrome's PDF viewer not working to ensure easy access to important PDF documents. However, this comprehensive blog provides five effective solutions to such issues. One of the solutions is to use the Wondershare Repairit File Repair automatic tool to repair all the corrupted PDF files.

Additionally, we have outlined other manual methods, such as enabling hardware acceleration, removing unwanted extensions, updating Google Chrome, and turning off PDF downloads in Chrome. By following these steps, you can enhance your PDF viewing experience in Chrome.

Furthermore, we have provided tips on how to avoid future PDF viewing issues. By implementing these strategies and methods, you can prevent potential problems and maintain optimal performance when accessing PDF files in Google Chrome. Thank you.