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view display pdf.js viewer

This page covers how to get PDF files to open in the Firefox window. It also includes fixes for common problems like blank pages, or files downloading instead of opening.

To display PDF files inside the Firefox browser window, you can use the pdf.js extension or a PDF reader plugin. Some common issues that you might encounter: * Firefox uses an existing PDF reader plugin instead of the pdf.js extension. * Firefox does not render a PDF file well. * Firefox does not open a PDF file at all. * Firefox downloads a PDF file instead of opening it. __TOC__ = Using the pdf.js extension = {note}'''Note:''' This extension is still in Beta phase. If you are not comfortable with that, you should instead consider using a PDF reader plugin and skip down to [[#w_using-a-pdf-reader-plugin|this section]].{/note} '''[https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/pdfjs/ pdf.js]''' (aka PDF Viewer) is a new revolutionary extension using web standard technologies that allows you to display within Firefox almost all PDF files found on the web without a plugin. :[[Image:PDF JS]]<br><br> As it's not very old, it has the following teething problems. == PDF files open with the PDF reader plugin instead of the extension == Enabling pdf.js is not enough so that Firefox uses it as the default PDF viewer. You need to disable every PDF reader plugins: #[[T:Open Add-ons|type=Plugins]] #Select each PDF reader plugin and click {button Disable} close to it. == Some PDF files don't render well or are blank == pdf.js may have some issues to render fonts, colors or the whole document in certain PDF files. Disable it temporarily so that the PDF file opens outside Firefox with your default PDF reader: #[[T:Open Add-ons|type=Extensions]] #Select pdf.js and click {button Disable} close to it. #*When you're done, click {button Enable} to use it again for other PDF files. == Cannot open any PDF files == <!-- https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=739058 --> Some extensions blocking JavaScript scripts may prevent pdf.js from viewing PDF files. Disable them: #[[T:Open Add-ons|type=Extensions]] #Select each blocking extension and click {button Disable} close to it. For more information, see [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]]. = Using a PDF reader plugin = If you can't deal with the pdf.js problems, you can still use PDF reader plugins like {for win}[[Using the Adobe Reader plugin with Firefox|Adobe Reader]] or [http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/free-pdf-reader.html Sumatra PDF]{/for}{for linux}[[Using the Adobe Reader plugin with Firefox|Adobe Reader]], [http://mozplugger.mozdev.org/ MozPlugger], or [http://www.unix-ag.uni-kl.de/~fischer/kpartsplugin/ KParts plugin]{/for}{for mac}[http://www.schubert-it.com/pluginpdf/ Schubert<nowiki>|</nowiki>it PDF Browser Plugin] on Mac OS X 10.6 and later{for fx35} or [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/7518 Firefox PDF Plugin extension]{/for}{/for}. {for mac} ==PDF files are blank and can't be downloaded== When you install or update Adobe Reader, it installs a plugin for viewing PDF files inside Firefox and sets that as the default. The problem is that this plugin does not work. In order to view PDF files again follow these steps: # [[T:optionspreferences]] # Select the {menu Applications} panel. # Type '''pdf''' into the search bar. # For each content type listed, click on the drop-down menu in the '''Action''' column and change the selection to use Adobe Reader, Preview or PDF Browser Plugin (if you are using the Schubert PDF plugin). #:[[Image:Reader plugin - Mac]] # [[T:closeOptionsPreferences]] == Only the first page is visible (Mac 10.5 and below) == If PDF documents open within Firefox but only the first page is viewable, make sure that the QuickTime plugin isn't set to handle PDF content: # From the {menu Apple} menu, choose {menu System Preferences}. # From the {menu View} menu, choose {menu QuickTime}. # Click the Plug-In tab and click {button MIME settings...}. # In the list of MIME types, click the triangle next to "Images - Still image files". # If "PDF Image" is checked, click the check box to clear it. # Click {button OK} <!-- A screenshot showing the QuickTime MIME Types window with PDF Image deselected is here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2612 --> If you can't view a PDF in Firefox, continue with the next following instructions. {/for} == PDF files are downloaded == === Check Firefox settings === # [[T:optionspreferences]] # Select the {menu Applications} panel. # Find {for win, linux}'''Adobe Acrobat Document''' (if you're using Adobe Reader) or {/for}'''PDF files''' {for win, linux}(for other PDF readers) {/for}in the list and click on it to select it. # Click on the drop-down arrow in the '''Action''' column for the above entry and select '''Use ''PDF reader name'' (in Firefox)'''. {for win,fx4}<br>[[Image:Opening PDF - Win]]{/for}{for win,fx35}<br/> <br/> [[Image:c77e7a43631723daa6760be30a717e46-1258906074-116-1.png]] <br/>{/for} #* If '''Use ''PDF reader name'' (in Firefox)''' is not listed as an Option, see [[#w_reset-download-actions|Reset download actions]] below and then repeat this set of instructions. # [[T:closeOptionsPreferences]] If you still can't view a PDF in Firefox, continue with the following instructions. ==== Reset download actions ==== # [[T:profileFolder]] # [[T:closeFirefox]] # Delete the {filepath mimetypes.rdf} file. === Check Application settings === If the PDF reader plugin comes bundled with a reader application, check the application plugin setting if there is some. {for win} * Adobe Reader: *# Open Adobe Reader. *# Once in Adobe Reader, click the {menu Edit} menu in the menu bar, and then click {menu Preferences...} The Preferences window will open. *# In the Categories section, click on '''Internet'''. *# Make sure the first check box, '''Display PDF in browser''', is checked. *# Click {button OK} to dismiss the Preferences window, and then close Adobe Reader. {/for} If you still can't view a PDF in Firefox, continue with the next following instructions. === Re-initialize the plugins database === Follow the instructions in the [[Troubleshooting plugins#w_re-initializing-the-plugins-database|Re-initializing the plugins database]] section of the [[Troubleshooting plugins]] article. This will force Firefox to rebuild its plugin database. If you still can't view a PDF in Firefox, continue with the next following instructions. === Re-install the application === If the PDF reader plugin comes bundled with a reader application and the above troubleshooting methods for Firefox did not work, uninstall and re-install the application. {for win, linux} * Adobe Reader: *# See [http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/400/kb400769.html Adobe's instructions for uninstalling] (Reader versions 8 and above). You should also uninstall any other versions of Reader that are installed. *# Install the latest version of Adobe Reader from [http://get.adobe.com/reader/ Adobe's download page]. {/for} {for win} If you still can't view a PDF in Firefox, continue with the next following instructions. === Further information for Adobe Reader === If none of the above troubleshooting methods worked, see [http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=328233&sliceId=2 Can't view PDF on the web] from Adobe.com for further instructions. {/for} {/for}