Read time: 9 minutes
Google Chrome has been the go-to browser for Windows, Mac, or Linux users for more than a decade. It allows users to easily integrate add-on features. Apart from other features and add-ons, Google Chrome offers a built-in PDF viewer that lets you access PDF files with ease. However, there are also a few limitations of this Chrome PDF Viewer.
Once the user enables the Chrome PDF Viewer, it blocks the other PDF software present on your system. Therefore, enabling and disabling the Chrome PDF Viewer becomes a regular task for the users. If you’ve also enabled the viewer on your browser, make sure you know how to enable and disable PDF Viewer in Chrome.
Why Enable PDF Viewer in Chrome: Merits and Demerits
Before you enable or disable a PDF viewer, make sure you know the consequences of doing this:
|
Merits |
Demerits |
|
Enabling PDF viewer allows you to view PDF files without any software installation |
Do not allow access to advanced features like PDF file editing. |
|
Quick PDF viewing experience |
PDF with complex structure show issues in opening |
|
Less vulnerable to issues caused by third-party plugins |
Can’t use it as a default PDF viewer |
|
Supports regular feature updates backed by automatic updates of the Chrome browser |
User privacy concerns |
|
Works on major operating systems and devices working with Chrome browser |
Experience often varies according to the Chrome version used |
How to Disable Chrome PDF Viewer: Easy Ways
The PDF Viewer is a free web application tool that allows browser-based viewing of PDF files. There is no need to download or install additional software to access the files. Also, there is no need to upload the files to a server. This tool will not save or share the selected files. It works directly without going via the server.
Method 1: Use Chrome General Settings
The Chrome PDF Viewer is, by default, accessible in your Chrome browser. You can easily access your PDF files with just a few clicks. But in case you need to turn off the settings and grant access to other PDF applications, you can follow the steps below.
-
- Double-click on the Chrome icon and go to the three vertical dots located in the upper right corner of your screen.
- From the drop-down menu, tap on Settings. Then, click on the Privacy and security option from the left-hand menu coming on your screen.
- From the upcoming list, tap on Site Settings. Go through the list of content and click on the option PDF Documents.
- Within PDF Documents, two options will popup.
- Download PDFs
- Open PDFs in Chrome
- Checkmark the option Download PDFs to disable the Chrome PDF Viewer option.
- Double-click on the Chrome icon and go to the three vertical dots located in the upper right corner of your screen.
Note: Checkmark the option Open Pdfs in Chrome to continue using the default Chrome PDF Viewer option.
Chrome users can follow the above steps on any OS, including Windows, iOS, and Linux.
Method 2: Enable the Default PDF Viewer (Windows)
-
- To start, click on the Windows menu at the bottom left of your screen and select Settings.
- Go to the option Apps and tap on the side option Default Apps.
- Scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.
- In the next window, scroll the left side menu and click on the option .pdf.
- Now, click on the option Choose a default. Here, you need to select Google Chrome.
- To start, click on the Windows menu at the bottom left of your screen and select Settings.
The Default Chrome PDF viewer option is enabled now.
Note: To disable the PDF Viewer option, you need to select any other PDF reader app except Google Chrome. The Chrome PDF Viewer will be disabled, but you can access the PDF files via your selected program.
Method 3: Use Google Chrome URL
- Copy the URL chrome://settings/content/pdfDocuments, paste it in the URL bar and tap enter. You will be redirected to the pdf Documents window.
- Under the tab PDF Documents, two further options will come up.
- Download PDFs
- Open PDFs in Chrome
- Choose the Download PDFs option to disable the Chrome PDF Viewer option.
Note: Choose the Open PDFs in Chrome option to continue with the default Chrome PDF Viewer option.
Method 4: Use the Always Enable Option
- Start with a right-mouse click on your PDF file. Click on Open with.
- Now, tap on Choose Another App. Choose Google Chrome and check the option. Always use this app to open .pdf files. Click on OK, and this will enable your Chrome PDF Viewer Option.
- To disable the Chrome PDF Viewer option, choose another app like Adobe Reader and checkmark the option Always use this app to open .pdf files. Click on OK to finish.
Tips to Troubleshoot Chrome PDF Viewer Issues
Here are some tips that will help you avoid unexpected issues in Chrome PDF Viewer:
-
- Adjust PDF Settings: If Chrome downloads your PDF file automatically, adjust PDF settings using the Chrome link “chrome://settings/content/pdfDocuments.” Here, turn off the setting “Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them” in Chrome.
- Clear Browsing Data: Outdated or corrupted cache files in your browser can cause issues in PDF viewing. To avoid this, go to Privacy and security and then select Clear Browsing data, or use Ctrl + Shift + Delete keys together.
Now, select Cached images and files and then Clear data to clear browsing files and data from the browser. 
-
- Disable extensions: There might be some extensions enabled in the Chrome browser that often conflict in accessing PDF files. To resolve the issue, disable ad blockers and extensions in the browser, and then test your PDF file in an incognito window.
Are Your PDF Files Accessible Now?
Once you have adjusted the browser options to enable or disable the Chrome PDF Viewer, you can access your PDF files. But what if your PDF files are still inaccessible? The files may be damaged, corrupted, not downloaded properly, file is encrypted, or is too large for your system to process. What is the solution now?
A prominent tool that can help you in such circumstances is Kernel for PDF Repair. It is an effective tool that helps you repair broken, damaged, and corrupted PDF files. The solution will repair PDFs in quick steps, preserving the original formatting, layout, and structure of the PDF files.
Final words
Our article is an effort to bring together the best solutions to enable or disable Chrome PDF Viewer. We hope one of these solutions will surely solve your PDF viewing problems. As an added perk, it is our essential advice to keep the Kernel for PDF Repair tool as a safety measure to counter the corruption of PDF files. All in all, you can fix the PDF Error “the file is damaged and could not be repaired” quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. PDF Viewer in Chrome is enabled by default. However, if it was turned off and now you need to enable it again, here are a few steps you can follow to enable PDF viewer in Chrome:
1. Open the Chrome browser and go to the three dots in the top right corner.
2. Click on Settings from the options.
3. Select Privacy and Security, and then click on Site Settings.
4. Go to Additional Content Settings and click PDF documents.
5. Here, select Open PDFs in Chrome.
A. If you’ve enabled the PDF viewer application in the Chrome browser and your PDF files are still inaccessible, this can be due to an incomplete download or an outdated browser version. To resolve PDF file won’t open in Windows 10 with Chrome browser, clear the browsing cache and delete temporary internet files in Chrome.
A. You can access browser-based PDF viewers to open PDF documents in Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox simply by enabling viewing of PDF files in browser.
