Outlook is a widely used email service known for its, automated emails, customizable calendars, collaboration tools, and fast alerts. However, more often than not some users are faced with PDF preview handler not working error. The reasons for this problem can vary. But this guide will share most common ones and eight solutions to resolve error in PDF preview handler File Explorer or Outlook. Let’s have a look!
Part 1: Why Is PDF Preview Handler Not Working?
When you get a ‘PDF preview handler not working’ error, in File Explorer or Outlook it means your system can’t show a preview of a PDF file, like a snippet of first page. This usually happens if you use Acrobat Reader for PDFs and has recently updated Outlook. Lots of things can cause this error. Figuring out what’s causing it is first step to fixing it. Here are some common reasons:
- You don’t have a PDF previewer installed for Microsoft Outlook or your default PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader is outdated.
- The feature that helps system generate previews is switched off in your app settings.
- Corrupted or broken entries are interfering with preview process in Outlook’s full-screen mode.
- The PDF file you’re trying to preview isn’t in designated preview area.
- Your PDF reader and your operating system might be clashing over settings, like automatic internet detection for PDFs.
Part 2: 8 Ways to Fix PDF Preview Handler Not Working In Out Look in Outlook
You can fix ‘PDF preview handler not working in Outlook or File Explorer’ in various ways, depending on what’s causing it. But here are eight ways that most often can fix this issue. Try them one by one to find one that works for you:
1. Install Latest Version of Adobe Reader
Using an old PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat can cause problems with preview handler, leading to error in PDF preview handler File Explorer or Outlook. If you’re using Adobe Acrobat follow steps below to install its latest version:
Step 1: Open Adobe Reader, and from menu above choose “Help.”
Step 2: Hit “Check for Updates.” If there’s an update available press “Download and Install.”
Step 3: After updation process is complete, set Adobe Reader as default program for opening PDFs. Restart “Outlook” to check whether ‘outlook pdf preview handler error’ is gone.
2. Fix Corrupted PDF File
The issue might not be with PDF preview handler itself, but rather with PDF file being corrupted. This can cause “PDF preview handler not working in Outlook.” In such a case, you’ll need to repair PDF file using a trustworthy tool like 4DDiG File Repair. It is powerful software that can repair severely corrupted PDF files with high success. Check out this tool’s amazing features:
- Can fix MS Office, Adobe, Illustrator, etc files.
- Restores various elements in PDF documents, like footers, headers, images, comments, tables, charts, hyperlinks, etc.
- Uses advanced AI to analyze and fix corrupted, formatted, unreadable, and blank PDF files.
- Fixes PDF files that display gibberish, or distorted images or won’t open.
- Batch repair multiple PDF files at once.
- Compatible with versions of PDF from 1.0 to 1.7.
Follow steps below to fix a corrupted PDF file with this tool:
Step 1: Download, install, and open repair tool on your computer. Then, click “Add File(s)” to upload corrupted PDF file(s).
Step 2: Once you’ve uploaded corrupted PDF file, hit “Start Repair” to start scanning and repairing process.
Step 3: After the repair process is done, preview PDF file(s) to see if it’s repaired successfully. If yes, then click “Export Selected” to save it on your computer.
3. Disable Internet Auto-Detect
One big reason for ‘Outlook pdf preview handler’ error is Internet Auto Detect feature. When it’s on, your system might try connecting to internet even for local PDFs. This can cause delays and errors in previewing. But preview handler doesn’t need internet access to show PDFs so you can turn off Internet Auto Detect feature with following steps:
Step 1: Launch Adobe Reader, scroll to “Menu,” and hit “Preferences.”
Step 2: Select “Internet,” then click “Internet Settings.” Next, open “Connections” tab in “Internet Properties” window and click “LAN settings,”
Step 3: Uncheck box next to “Automatically detect settings” and tap “OK.”
Step 4: Move back to “Internet Properties,” and click “Apply.”
4. Make Adobe Reader the Default PDF Handler
The ‘PDF preview handler not working’ issue can also occur if you install Adobe Reader but forget to configure it as default PDF handler. So, simply set Adobe Reader as default option. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Launch Adobe Reader, scroll to “Menu,” and hit “Preferences.”
Step 2: Move to “General” and check box next to “Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer.”
Step 3: Move down to “Application Startup” option and under it click “Select As Default PDF Handler.”
Step 4: When asked, pick Adobe Acrobat to open .pdf files from now on. Restart your PC to see whether ‘Outlook pdf preview handler not working’ issue is resolved.
5. Run Adobe Acrobat Reader in Compatibility Mode
Your Adobe Reader might be incompatible if you’re using an older version of Windows. This incompatibility can lead to ‘Outlook pdf preview handler not working’ error. However, you can set Adobe Reader to run in compatibility mode for older Windows with help of following steps:
Step 1: First, right-click “Adobe Reader,” and choose “Open file location.” Further, double-click “Reader” folder to open its content.
Step 2: Right-click “AcroRd.exe,” and select “Properties.” Then, move to “Compatibility” tab.
Step 3: Tick box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” option. Next, choose your Windows version below from drop-down menu and click “Apply.”
6. Clear Up Temporary Files
Sometimes, corrupted temporary files or cached data in Outlook might be what’s causing ‘Outlook PDF preview handler’ error. Clear out these files, and you should be good to go:
Step 1: Launch “Outlook.” Next, press and hold “Win + R” keys. This will launch “Run” box.
Step 2: Type in “%localappdata%\Microsoft\Outlook.” Hit “Enter.”
Step 3: Check folders for files ending with .tmp, .olk, .dat, and .obi extensions and delete them.
7. Fix the Registry Problem
You may be getting ‘Outlook PDF preview handler not working’ error due to a corrupt or damaged registry entry in Adobe Reader. Follow instructions below to edit registry manually:
Step 1: Press and hold “Win + R” keys. This will open “Run” box.
Step 2: Type “regedit” in box. Hit “Enter” and this will open “Registry Editor.”
Step 3: Head to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}.”
Step 4: Double-click on “AppID” and change “Value data” to {534A1E02-D58F-44f0-B58B-36CBED287C7C}. Click “OK.”
8. Disable Add-Ons
Many times third-party add-ons can interfere with workings of PDF preview handler, resulting in an error in ‘PDF Preview Handler File Explorer or Outlook.’ Disable each add-on until you figure out which one is the culprit. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: First, open “Outlook,” choose “File” from above menu, and click “Options.”
Step 2: Next, select “Add-ins” and hit “Go.”
Step 3: Then, uncheck boxes next to add-ins you want to disable and click “OK.”
Start with most recent ones and keep checking after disabling each add-on until you can pinpoint the culprit causing ‘PDF preview handler not working in Outlook’ error.
FAQs About PDF Preview Handler Not Working
Q1: How do I reset the PDF Preview Handler?
You can reset PDF preview handler by setting Adobe Reader as your default PDF file opener. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Launch Adobe Reader, scroll to “Menu,” and hit “Preferences.”
Step 2: Move to “General” and check “Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer.”
Step 3: Move down to “Application Startup” option and under it click “Select As Default PDF Handler.”
Step 4: When prompted, pick Adobe Acrobat to open .pdf files from now on and restart your PC.
Q2: How do I enable PDF Preview Handler in Windows 10?
You can enable PDF preview handler in Windows 10 with following instructions:
Step 1: Launch Adobe Reader, scroll to “Menu,” and hit “Preferences.”
Step 2: Move to “General” and check “Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer.”
Final Thoughts
The ‘PDF preview handler not working’ error can pop up at any time in Outlook or File Explorer. In this article, we’ve given you eight ways to fix it, like updating Adobe Reader to turning off add-ons. But sometimes, the fault lies with PDF file itself. That’s where a tool like 4DDiG File Repair can help. It can fix severely corrupted PDFs and restore everything inside, from headers to images with a high success rate.
