PDF Troubleshooting
Jump to:
Viewing the PDF
Check your PDF viewer:
- Open the PDF with a different PDF viewer app. Right-click on the PDF file and use the "Open With" option to select a different app. PDF viewer apps include Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat, Apple Preview, Google Chrome, Amazon Kindle, and countless others.
- Update your PDF viewer app.
Check your browser:
- Restart your internet browser.
- Check for updates to your internet browser. Open your browser's settings or preferences to check for and install updates. Restart your browser and try downloading your PDF again.
- Use a different internet browser. Copy the link and paste it into a different internet browser.
Download again:
- If the download link from your purchase is still active, try downloading the PDF file again. Close your PDF viewer first and make sure the app is all the way closed, then download and save the file, then open it.
- You could try changing the filename as you download it to get a fresh start, rather than overwriting the file that was downloaded before.
Downloading or Saving the PDF
If you can view the PDF online, but have trouble downloading it or saving it to your computer or device, try these options:
Check your downloads:
- Right-click the link to the PDF that appears in your internet browser. Choose the Save As option.
- If you don't know where your file ended up when you downloaded it, check your Downloads folder, and check your internet browser's settings for what it does with downloaded files.
Check your software:
- To access a zip file on a mobile device, make sure your device is able to download and open zip files. You may have to download a third-party app for this purpose.
Check your memory:
- If the browser gives you an error message saying it cannot download the file, you may want to check to see if you have enough storage space. You may need to free up space.
Check your browser:
- Restart your internet browser.
- Check for updates to your internet browser. Open your browser's settings or preferences to check for and install updates. Restart your browser and try downloading your PDF again.
- Use a different internet browser. Copy the link and paste it into a different internet browser.
Printing the PDF
Note: The user's email is added to the top of all of our eLearning PDFs for copyright purposes.
If you can view the PDF but are having trouble printing it, you could try the options above and also these options:
Check your printer:
- Turn off the printer, unplug it from the computer and the wall outlet, and wait a minute. Then plug all the connections in securely and turn the printer on.
- Try a different printer, if you have access to one.
- If you are trying to print multiple pages, try printing one or two PDF pages at a time until you find any page(s) that won't print as a PDF. Your printer dialog may have an option to print a page as an image, which could be a solution if a page is being uncooperative.
Clear Printer Memory
- Try clearing the printer cache. For directions, search the internet for "how to clear (printer brand and model type) cache" or "update the printer spooler" for your printer model and computer operating system.
Change the settings:
Refer to the chart below for some examples of print problems and the printer settings that may help.
Problem |
Example of Product |
Solution |
Content is larger than paper (not 8.5x11 dimensions) |
Doodling Dragons trio books |
Find scale settings. Choose "print the whole image" |
Content is rotated (landscape dimensions) |
Flash Cards |
Change printer settings to landscape |
Content breaks in unusual places (panoramic pages) |
A Quick Reference PDF |
PDF is available in two formats. Choose the format that is in 5 or 6 pages for printing. |
Two-sided printing backs and fronts don't line up |
Workbooks and Flashcards |
Find settings for two-sided printing. Choose long-edge binding. Find the scale settings and choose "print the whole image". |
For information about accessing digital products purchased on our store, see Digital Downloads.