Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader shows gray page when opening a PDF file


Cause

The file is displaying an image rather than a full PDF document. Often the result of converting the file to a PDF through unconventional methods.

If Adobe Acrobat is not set up to load large images, it will not display the contents of the document.

Resolution

1) Click the Edit menu and choose Preferences.

example screenshot

2) In the left-hand pane, click Page Display. Then, check the box next to "Show large images".

example screenshot

3) Click OK.

example screenshot

Outcome

The PDF file will display correctly.