Troubleshooting PDF (.pdf) downloads

You need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files. Most newer PCs already have this software installed. You can download the latest version from Adobe's web site. After installing the latest version, you should be able to open any file that ends in .pdf simply by clicking on it.

If you have up-to-date Acrobat Reader software but still have trouble viewing or printing our PDF files, try these steps.

1. If you are using a dial-up Internet connection, be patient - some larger documents may take 20 seconds or more to open. The screen might look completely blank while the document is being opened. (The box at the lower left corner of your screen might even say “Done,” but your computer might still be working on opening the document.)
2. If PDFs take too long to open or do not open at all, save the PDF directly to your computer’s hard drive without opening it. After it is saved, you can open it any time.

Here’s how:

Saving files to a PC

Right-click the file name, select "Save Target As" in Microsoft Internet Explorer or "Save Link Target As" in Netscape, and choose a location to save the file on your hard-disk drive.

Saving files to a Mac

If asked if you'd like to save the file, do so, and save to your Desktop (or some other folder you'd like to save in). To save a file without trying to open it, hold your mouse button down over the link until a menu pops up, select "Save Target As" in Microsoft Internet Explorer or "Save Link Target As" in Netscape, and choose a location to save the document on your hard-disk drive.

When you are ready to view the PDF, locate the file on your computer and double-click it.