Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

PDFs are no longer displaying correctly in Firefox but OK in any other viewer

  • 2 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 220 views
  • Last reply by tomas_up

more options

Many PDFs are only displaying images and some text using the built in viewer in Firefox 44.0.2 on A MacBook Pro running OS X 10.9.5.

This appears to be something that has only happened in the latest updates of Firefox.

Example of one that DOES NOT display well in Firefox: http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kplu/files/201602/save-kplu-ambassador-kit.pdf

Another random of a .pdf that does not display well in Firefox 44 (but used to): http://www.insurance.wa.gov/oicfiles/orders/2011orders/11-0143.pdf

(Not using "hardware acceleration," etc.)

Tom

Many PDFs are only displaying images and some text using the built in viewer in Firefox 44.0.2 on A MacBook Pro running OS X 10.9.5. This appears to be something that has only happened in the latest updates of Firefox. Example of one that DOES NOT display well in Firefox: http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/kplu/files/201602/save-kplu-ambassador-kit.pdf Another random of a .pdf that does not display well in Firefox 44 (but used to): http://www.insurance.wa.gov/oicfiles/orders/2011orders/11-0143.pdf (Not using "hardware acceleration," etc.) Tom

Chosen solution

Another user that reported problems with PDF files reported that a new profile (about:support -> Refresh) worked. I'm not sure if this is caused by website specific setting or some global setting that you have changed in Firefox.


You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename/remove the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in current Firefox releases.

You can try to clear the Site Preferences.

Clearing "Site Preferences" clears exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, and software installation and exception for password and other website specific data.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

more options

Chosen Solution

Another user that reported problems with PDF files reported that a new profile (about:support -> Refresh) worked. I'm not sure if this is caused by website specific setting or some global setting that you have changed in Firefox.


You can check for problems with preferences.

Delete possible user.js and numbered prefs-##.js files and rename/remove the prefs.js file to reset all prefs to the default value including prefs set via user.js and prefs that are no longer supported in current Firefox releases.

You can try to clear the Site Preferences.

Clearing "Site Preferences" clears exceptions for cookies, images, pop-up windows, and software installation and exception for password and other website specific data.

more options

Thank you cor-el!

The refresh of the profile worked wonders, I was surprised at how long it took, though.

Worked fine after the refresh - still works fine after re-installing the few extensions I use.

Take care!

Tom