Mac OS Monterey 12.6 will NOT open PDF files

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Level 1

1 points

Mac OS Monterey 12.6 will NOT open PDF files

Nothing at all happens, not even in Preview (which supposedly reads PDF now without Adobe Acrobat). These are downloaded statements from my bank and I am now in tax season unable to see any PDF file. I have nothing happening on double click OR even selecting OPEN from the finder menu. I noticed my Adobe reader was GONE so went to get.adobe.com and downloaded Adobe reader installer, installed SUCCESSFULLY but will not open any of these statements. NO PASSWORD is on these docs, nor is it apparent that PDF reader thinks there is (no box comes up asking for a password, or any box at all). NOTHING is happening with these files.

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Jan 30, 2023 8:54 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

vickib001 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 30, 2023 12:59 PM in response to dialabrain

Thanks, but preview did not open the file either. After several tries and searches in the forums, found this tidbit in Google searching, and despite it's seeming obvious (and that this setting was already there), I did it again, and lo and behold it worked, using the same files as before, double clicking.

"Why can I no longer open PDF files on Mac?

Mac OS users

Click the PDF file's icon in the Finder to select it. Choose File > Get Info. Click the triangle next to Open With, and choose Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat from the pop-up list (if your preference is not on the list, choose Other to select it). Click Change All.Sep 15, 2022"

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Answer 2

Jan 30, 2023 10:17 AM in response to vickib001

Reboot your Mac. If you still cannot open a PDF with Preview or Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, then the PDFs are damaged and contact your financial institution about this issue. Call in advance to visiting the nearest bank branch to see if you can get your 2022 tax info from them in person with appropriate Identification.

I have macOS 12.6.3 and have hundreds of PDFs that I can open randomly in either Preview or the current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Not the operating system or applications as the cause in your case.

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Answer 3

vickib001 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jan 30, 2023 1:02 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks. These were files I had opened a few months ago prior to the upgrade. After another search and applying the tip I mentioned below, the files opened without issue (set the default app in finder without trying to open the file, already set there but re-set it). Also, preview never attempted launching to open these files either. Finally the newly installed Adobe Acrobat was my selection in the 'get info' step posted below, and although it appeared to already be set as the default application, after changing it to another reader and back, it worked and the PDF files now all open fine. Didn't have to restart the computer.

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