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.

The Edit tab has been selected and at the bottom of the drop down menu preferences is highlighted to be clicked

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

Page display is selected under the categories list and show large images is ticked and highlighted

3) Click OK.

At the bottom of the page ok is selected is highlighted and ready to be clicked

Outcome

The PDF file will display correctly.