PDF cannot be opened - it can be because of it

Occasionally, a PDF document cannot be opened. There are usually several causes for the problem. We give you some help in this practical tip.

Solution: PDF cannot be opened

If a PDF document cannot be opened, you should first check the origin of the file. Download the document again if it is a download from the Internet.
To be able to open a PDF, you need an appropriate program. You can use special software such as Adobe Reader, but also browsers such as Google Chrome.
Check that the appropriate tool has been properly installed and is working. For example, you can open another document with the program you prefer. Try alternative software.
PDF documents can be password-protected by their originator. We will tell you in a separate article how to remove the write protection and open the PDF.
Older PDF documents are sometimes no longer compatible with current PDF readers. In this case, you can install an older version of Adobe Reader and try to open the file with it. However, you should only do this if you trust the author of the document and there are no viruses in the file.
The PDF file may be damaged. If the repeated download does not help, it is best to contact the author of the document.

In the next practical tip, you will learn how to edit the text in a PDF document.