Not all PDF files display correctly using "Preview in Firefox"
A pdf from the following link doesn't display using the "preview in Firefox" setting. I see a blank page and the file turns up in my downloads folder. If I change the setting to use Acrobat DC it displays in acrobat ok. All pdf files from the same site behave the same. https://myvolunteering.nationaltrust.org.uk/Stourhead/file/Spring-2018.pdf
However a pdf from the following link works ok with the "preview in Firefox" setting. Again, all pdf files from this site behave the same. https://probus-gillingham-dorset.org.uk/Uploads/sendFile/366
I'm using firefox 59.0(64 bit). I have automatic updates set so firefox is automatically up-to-date. This used to work ok, so far as I can tell it started failing around December 2017.
Any thoughts please?
All Replies (5)
Hi, seems an issue that only affects users who have turned off cleartype font rendering within their windows settings. so a workaround for the moment would either be to turn cleartype back on or disabling hardware acceleration in Firefox: Firefox's performance settings https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/performance-settings
Please check to see if this makes a difference.
If fails to make changes after restarting Firefox or enable cleartype please : uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files , C:\Program Files(x86) & C:\ProgramData Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. (Note: This should be Pinned and run Weekly, If never done below expect 10's of gig's) Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do :
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer
Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 59.0.1 with a Full Version Installer
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
Hi PeteJG, it's a server configuration issue. This URL:
https://myvolunteering.nationaltrust.org.uk/Stourhead/file/Spring-2018.pdf
sends Firefox an unusual content-type header:
- Content-Type: application/unknown
- content-disposition: filename="Spring-2018.pdf"
They certainly could send application/pdf if they want browsers to handle the file normally, so I don't know why they are doing that. Or to put that another way, I don't know whether they are intentionally bypassing normal PDF handling or whether someone made a mistake somewhere.
Ilungisiwe ngu jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
Thanks for your replies guys.
Pkshadow: I did all that (cleartype was already turned on) but unfortunately it's still the same. I'm pretty sure it did once work, but am beginning to doubt my certainty. I thought it worked around December time but I've got an ageing version of linux mint with Firefox 56 installed last October and it fails on there. I have an old ios9 ipad with firefox & it works on there. Of course IE/edge works by calling Acrobat. Not to worry though I'll follow up jscher2000's suggestion.
jscher2000: I'll feed that back to the National Trust, thanks. BTW, did you persuade Firefox to show you the header or did you need a network trace?
Hi PeteJG, the Browser Console can show network requests and responses, so that's where I found the headers. (If it's a page load in the same tab, the Network Monitor is easier/better.)
OK Got it, thanks very much.