Cannot Open PDF Files in Windows 10? Fix It Now!

Why Can't I Open a PDF?

PDF files are widely used for sharing documents due to their compatibility and security features. However, there are times when you may encounter issues opening a PDF on your Windows PC. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to access important information. Why can’t I open a PDF? This painful issue can stem from various causes, including:

➤ The default PDF viewer on your system may not be functioning correctly.
➤ An outdated PDF reader could struggle to process newer file formats or security protocols, requiring a simple update or reinstallation. 
➤ Your PDF file might be corrupted due to incomplete downloads, transfer errors, or storage issues.
➤ There is system file corruption on your PC.

How to Fix “Cannot Open PDF Files in Windows 10”?

If you’re struggling with the “cannot open PDF files in Windows 10” issue, don’t worry. Below are five proven methods to help you regain access to your PDF files. Each method is explained with step-by-step instructions.

Fix 1. Change the PDF Viewer

Sometimes, the default PDF viewer on your Windows 10 system may not be compatible with the PDF file you’re trying to open. This issue can often be resolved by switching the PDF viewer. There are several reliable PDF viewers available, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, and SumatraPDF. Follow these steps to change your default PDF viewer:

Step 1: Right-click on the PDF file you’re trying to open.

Step 2: Select “Open with” from the context menu.

Step 3: Choose a different PDF viewer from the list. If your preferred viewer isn’t listed, click “Choose another app” to browse for it.

Step 4: Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .pdf files” and click “OK.”

Fix 2. Update Your PDF Reader

An outdated PDF reader can cause the “cannot open PDF files in Windows 10 ”issue when trying to open PDF files. It is essential to ensure your PDF reader is up-to-date. Here’s how to update your PDF reader:

Step 1: Open your PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Step 2: Navigate to “Help” and select “Check for updates” from the drop-down list.

Step 3: If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

Step 4: Restart your PDF reader and try opening the PDF file again.

Fix 3. Repair Installation

Another way to fix the "Cannot open PDF files in Windows 10" issue is to repair the Adobe Acrobat installation. Sometimes, corrupted or missing program files can prevent PDFs from opening properly. Follow these steps to repair the installation:

Step 1: Open your PDF reader on Adobe.

Step 2: Navigate to “Help” and select the “Repair Installation” option.

Step 3: Click Yes to proceed when receiving a confirmation prompt. Then, Adobe will start checking and repairing any corrupted or missing files.

Step 4: Once the repair process is complete, restart your PDF reader and try opening the PDF file again.

Fix 4. Restore the PDF to a Previous Version

If your PDF file is corrupted and cannot be opened; consider restoring it to a previous version. File History is a built-in backup and restoration capability included in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you have enabled it beforehand, follow these steps to revert your file to a previous version:

Step 1: Launch File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the PDF is located.

Step 2: Right-click the file you want to restore and select the Restore previous versions option.

Step 3: Choose the previous version you need and click the Restore button to restore it.

Fix 5. Check PCs via System File Checker

If none of the above methods work, the issue might be related to system file corruption on your Windows 10 PC. The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool that can scan and repair corrupted system files. Here’s how to use it to fix the “cannot open PDF files in Windows 10 ”issue:

Step 1: Type cmd in the search bar and select Run as Administrator from the search result.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Step 3: If some files couldn't be fixed, you may need to run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) with the following command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /restorehealth

Bonus Tips: Recover Lost PDF Files Using Professional Software

If your PDF file is lost or deleted accidentally, don’t panic. You can use professional data recovery software like AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery to get them back. This powerful recovery software is designed to restore deleted, lost, or missing files from a variety of storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, USB flash drives, and more. Whether your file is lost due to accidental deletion, system crashes, disk formatting, or even virus attacks, this tool provides an efficient and user-friendly solution.

Key Features of AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery:
✔ Quick & Deep Scan – Finds lost PDF files efficiently with advanced scanning algorithms.
✔ Wide Compatibility – Supports most Windows PC and Server versions.
✔ Safe & Secure Recovery – Ensures data integrity without overwriting existing files.
✔ Easy-to-Use Interface – No technical skills are required for recovery.

Let’s use AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery to recover lost PDF files:

Step 1: Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your PDF files are located.

Step 2: Scan your disk to find the deleted files.

It offers two modes:

Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.

Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device for lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3: Upon scanning completion, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired PDF file and then click Recover.

Step 4: Specify a path for the file and wait for the process to complete.

Summary

Cannot open PDF files in Windows 10? Take it easy! By following the instructions outlined above, you can quickly resolve the issue without hassle. Additionally, if you’ve accidentally lost or deleted a PDF file, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery is a reliable tool that can effortlessly retrieve lost data on Windows PCs. Don’t let PDF issues slow you down—read this post to learn how to re-access your file now!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why can’t I open a PDF file on my Windows 10 PC?

This issue can be caused by various factors, such as an outdated PDF reader, corrupted system files, or a damaged PDF file.

Q2: Why do my PDF files open in a web browser instead of Adobe Acrobat?

This happens when your browser is set as the default PDF viewer. You can follow the steps in Fix 1 to change the default viewer.

Q3: What should I do if my PDF file is corrupted and cannot be opened?

Use Adobe Acrobat’s built-in repair tool to fix the corrupted PDF file. Alternatively, you can try reverting your PDF to a previous version.