If you encounter blank pages when viewing or printing PDFs in web applications like FastBound, the issue is usually related to the PDF viewer you’re using. This problem often arises when using third-party PDF plugins, such as Adobe Acrobat, instead of the native PDF viewer built into modern web browsers.
If you are using Adobe Acrobat and continue to experience problems, Adobe provides additional troubleshooting tips for fixing browser PDF display issues.
Close and Reopen the PDF Tab
Sometimes, closing and reopening the PDF tab can resolve temporary viewing issues. Here’s what to do:
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Close the tab where the blank PDF is displayed.
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Reopen the PDF by generating it again or clicking on the download link.
Quit Your Browser and Adobe Acrobat
If closing and reopening the tab doesn’t work, try quitting your web browser and Adobe Acrobat completely to refresh any background processes.
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Close your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
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Quit Adobe Acrobat if it’s running.
Tip: Make sure no invisible background processes are still running. Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) to check and close any lingering processes.
How to Use Task Manager (Windows)
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Look for any browser or Adobe-related processes.
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Right-click the process and select “End Task.”
How to Use Activity Monitor (macOS)
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Open “Activity Monitor” from the Utilities folder or by searching in Spotlight.
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Search for browser or Adobe-related processes.
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Select the process and click the “X” icon to quit it.
Use the Browser’s Built-In PDF Viewer
Many modern browsers have built-in PDF viewers that are more reliable when displaying PDFs. Built-in viewers can often resolve blank page issues using third-party plugins like Adobe Acrobat.
How to switch to the browser’s built-in PDF viewer:
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Disable third-party PDF plugins like Adobe Acrobat.
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Reload the page and try viewing the PDF again.
For many users, switching to the built-in viewer resolves the issue immediately.
Restart Your Computer
If you still encounter issues or prefer a more straightforward approach, restarting your computer can often resolve background issues causing the blank PDF pages. Once your computer restarts, try viewing the PDF again.
Final Tip: Stick to the Built-In Viewer
Users generally have better results with the PDF viewer built into modern browsers. Built-in PDF viewers are considered more secure because they are integrated into the browser and receive regular updates from browser vendors.
Unlike third-party plugins like Adobe Acrobat, which run out-of-process, built-in viewers are better controlled, receive frequent security updates, and don’t expose your computer to additional vulnerabilities.
Out-of-process means that a plugin, like Adobe Acrobat, runs separately from the web browser. Running separately from the browser can be risky because the plugin doesn’t benefit from the browser’s built-in security protections. If a plugin has vulnerabilities, hackers could exploit it. Since the browser vendor doesn’t control these plugins, they may not be as secure or reliable as the native tools built into the browser.
For a more reliable and secure experience, consider switching to the browser’s built-in viewer when working with PDFs.
If the issue persists, contact FastBound support for further assistance.