Preview can't open PDF files

I've recently encountered the problem of preview being unable to open PDF files. It's able to open image files of all sorts of filetypes, just not PDFs. I have not tested if there are any other filetypes that it can't open, since I only use Preview for PDFs and images.

There is no error message shown. When I attempt to open a PDF file, I notice the Preview app icon bouncing on my dock, but then no window pops up. There is also the dot indicating that the app is open.

If I click on the app icon, it shows me my file directory, but if I double-click on any PDF file using that directory window, nothing happens.

I also recently downloaded Adobe Acrobat Reader, perhaps the two are related. I'm able to open PDF files using Reader but I'd much prefer to use Preview.

I've already tried:

• Restarting my Mac
• Updating to latest software
• Deleting the Finder preferences file (.plist)

All to no avail. Please help.