A number of months ago, using a previous FF version, I noticed that I could no longer open or download Adobe PDF files. No error, no blank screen, nothing - the only evi… (read more)
A number of months ago, using a previous FF version, I noticed that I could no longer open or download Adobe PDF files. No error, no blank screen, nothing - the only evidence of reaction to my mouse click is that the Adobe symbol on the page would disappear and turn into a circular progress bar (the usual reaction) but instead of anything coming up, the Adobe symbol would return. Nothing opened, nothing downloaded. I would check "Show all Downloads" and there would be none for the session. I spent an hour or two searching for advice (variations of this problem appear to be common) but nothing suggested there helped. Eventually I just gave up and reset FF back to its default settings. Everything worked fine after the reset, although I don't know how often I used it after that (but I'm pretty sure at least 5 or 10 times, successfully).
Since then I know that I've had at least one, maybe more, FF install updates (automated, not by me). As of today I'm back where I started from - the same reaction when I click the link (momentary circular progress bar) but no view, no download, no blank page, no error message. I've repeated my 1+ hour help search online today (like before) to no avail. I assume I could reset to factory defaults but that is going to be a recurring waste of time, given how often FF updates, if that is the only solution. Surely there is SOMETHING I can change inside FF (or elsewhere) without always having to do a full reset (and lose any changes I've made).
Here is my info regarding system and software and settings:
Dell Laptop
Windows 10
Firefox 43.0.3
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Version 2015.009.20079
Up-to-Date Kaspersky license
As for my FF options and add-ons, I've tried every variation under the sun. In Options/Preferences/Applications I've set PDF Files to every available choice, including Save File, Preview in Firefox, Always Ask, Use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (default) and Use Adobe Acrobat (in Firefox). Nothing worked. Under Add-Ons/Plug-Ins I have Adobe Acrobat 15.9.20069.28170 installed and I've set that to either "Always Activate" or "Ask to Activate," to no avail.
Be aware that every time I've changed one of these settings and tried to download a PDF, the reaction was ALWAYS BEEN exactly as described in the opening description in this email - no variation in response to changes to any of the Add-On settings or the any of the settings for the Application Preferences for PDF files.
Any suggestion would be appreciated. For now I'll just have to go to IE.
Bob