Google Chrome won't display PDFs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around issues with Google Chrome not displaying PDF files on Mac OSX. Participants share their experiences and suggest potential solutions, focusing on troubleshooting steps and software interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports being unable to view PDFs in Chrome, encountering a blank grey webpage instead.
  • Another participant suggests following a support link for troubleshooting Chrome PDF issues.
  • A different participant notes that they followed the suggested steps but could not complete the final step due to missing options.
  • Some participants confirm that they can view PDFs without issues, indicating that the problem may not be universal.
  • Several participants speculate that a recent auto-update may have caused the issue, suggesting reinstallation of Chrome as a potential fix.
  • One participant recommends downloading PDFs and viewing them with macOS Preview as an alternative solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying experiences with viewing PDFs in Chrome, with some confirming functionality while others report issues. There is no consensus on a definitive solution, as multiple troubleshooting approaches are suggested.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific steps that may not be available to all users, indicating potential limitations in the troubleshooting process. The discussion does not resolve whether the issue is due to Chrome, macOS, or user-specific settings.

Who May Find This Useful

Users experiencing similar issues with PDF viewing in Google Chrome on Mac OSX, as well as those interested in troubleshooting browser-related problems.

member 428835
HI pf!

I have a mac OSX and am running the latest google chrome browser, though I cannot view pdfs. Every time I click a link that would send me to a pdf I am sent to a blank grey webpage.

Any help?
 
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try this?
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6213030?hl=en
 
phinds said:
try this?
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6213030?hl=en
Thanks for the post! Unfortunately I followed those steps, but the final step I didn't have the option of selecting. All I was allowed to do is check an "always allow to run" under Chrome PDF Viewer.
 
I run Google Chrome on a Mac and have no problem viewing pdf files. So it can be done...
 
Yea, it was working fine for me too until a few days ago! Now it's stuck for some reason.
 
joshmccraney said:
Yea, it was working fine for me too until a few days ago! Now it's stuck for some reason.
Possibly Chrome did an auto-update that somehow bollixed the PDF addon. Try reinstalling Chrome.
 
Last edited:
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Yes uninstall and reinstall Chrome. It works on my Mac mini just fine.

The other option is to download the PDF and view via macOS preview. If that doesn't work then it's a macOS issue.
 
Thanks for your advice! I'll uninstall and reinstall it! Opening .pdf files in preview works. Will keep posted on outcome.
 

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