Fix: Edge Not Opening PDF Files In Windows 10

Microsoft Edge is not just the default internet browser, but it is also the default PDF viewer in Windows 10. By default, all PDF files are opened with Microsoft Edge.

Very often Windows 10 users complain about Microsoft Edge not opening PDF files. If you are also using Edge as the default PDF reader but unable to open PDF files using Edge, following solutions might help you fix the issue.

We are confident that one of these solutions will fix your Edge not opening PDF files issue in Windows 10.

Restart the Edge browser

If you have not tried this yet, please reboot your PC once before trying out other solutions mentioned below as restarting the browser fixes issues at times.

Try to open another PDF file

Microsoft Edge might be failing to open the PDF file because the PDF file is corrupted or damaged. Try opening another PDF file before proceeding to solutions mentioned below.

If you don’t have another PDF file, you can also try opening the same PDF file in another web browser such as Chrome or Firefox to make sure that the PDF file is not corrupt.

Check if you are running Windows 10 N or KN editions

By default, Windows 10 N and Windows 10 KN editions don’t support opening PDF files in Edge as these editions don’t come with Windows Media features. Without Windows Media features installed, Edge browser cannot open PDF files, according to this page of Microsoft.

To check the edition, right-click on This PC icon in File Explorer navigation pane and then click Properties.

So, if you are on N or KN edition of Windows 10, please download and install Windows 10 Media Features Pack from Microsoft.

Reset Edge as default PDF viewer

At times, setting another program/app as the default PDF viewer and then setting Edge as default PDF reader again helps to fix the issue. Here is how to do that:

Step 1: Open Settings. Navigate to Apps > Default apps.

Step 2: Click Choose default apps by file type link.

Step 3: Here, locate the “.PDF” entry. Click on the Edge entry next to “.PDF”, and select any other program or app as the default PDF reader.

Step 4: Finally, click on the current default app or program, and then select Edge again. That’s it! Try opening the PDF file in Edge now.

Repair the Edge browser

If the PDF file that you are attempting to open is in perfect shape and you are not running N/KN editions, or you are running N/KN edition by installing Windows Media Features Pack, you can try repairing the Edge browser to fix the issue.

Repairing Edge browser in Windows 10 is easy. You can refer to our how to repair the Edge browser in Windows 10 guide for step-by-step directions with images.

Reset Microsoft Edge to fix Edge not opening PDF files

If Repairing the Edge browser didn’t help, you can try resetting the Edge browser. Repairing the Edge browser is also very easy. Follow the easy instructions in how to reset the Edge browser in Windows 10 guide to reset the Edge quickly.

Download and install Microsoft Reader app

There is an official PDF reader app available in the Windows Store. You can download and install Reader app from Microsoft to open PDF files. If you are looking for alternatives, please refer to our 4 PDF readers for Windows 10 guide.

To make the new program/app as the default reader, follow our how to change the default PDF reader in Windows 10 guide.

Hope you find this guide helpful!