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After years of being able to search on a pdf on edge I can no longer use the search

Anonymous
2024-12-03T21:02:59+00:00

Our pdfs automatically open in Edge and we were able to search for words or numbers using that.

Now we try and the crtl + f no longer work?

Is there something that we need to update or that we did update that would cause that issue???

Microsoft Edge | Read PDFs | Windows 11

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-12T15:31:37+00:00

    This is the result of a "new" PDF viewer being introduced to Edge.

    Navigate to edge://flags, search for "pdf" and change the "New PDF Viewer" setting to disabled.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-04T09:17:22+00:00

    Dear MelHo12,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community

    If the search function (Ctrl + F) for PDFs in Microsoft Edge has stopped working, there could be several reasons for this issue. It could be related to an Edge update, an extension conflict, or a problem with the PDF file itself.

    Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix the issue:

    Step 1: Check for Updates

    Ensure you are using the latest version of Microsoft Edge. Sometimes, issues are resolved in newer updates.

    Open Edge and go to the menu by clicking the three dots (...) in the upper-right corner.

    Select Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge.

    Edge will automatically check for updates and install them if available.

    Restart Edge after the update.

    Step 2: Clear Cache and Cookies

    Clearing cache and cookies can resolve issues where stored data might be causing conflicts.

    Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.

    Select All time for the time range.

    Check Browsing history, Download history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.

    Click Clear now and restart Edge.

    Disclaimer: Your browser automatically saves temporary internet files to help pages load faster. Clearing this cache will sometimes fix website issues. Please back up all your personal files first, such as Favorites, to ensure you do not lose data.

    Step 3: Disable Extensions

    Extensions can sometimes interfere with browser functionality. Try disabling them to see if it resolves the issue.

    Open Edge and go to the menu by clicking the three dots (...) in the upper-right corner.

    Select Extensions.

    Toggle off all extensions.

    Restart Edge and check if the Ctrl + F function works in PDFs.

    Step 4: Reset Edge Settings

    Resetting Edge can restore default settings without affecting your data like bookmarks and passwords.

    Open Edge and go to the menu by clicking the three dots (...) in the upper-right corner.

    Select Settings > Reset settings.

    Click Restore settings to their default values.

    Confirm by clicking Reset.

    Restart Edge and try using Ctrl + F on a PDF again.

    Step 5: Test with a Different PDF

    The issue might be with that specific PDF file. Try opening another PDF to see if the search function works.

    Download a different PDF from the internet or find another PDF on your computer.

    Open it in Edge and use Ctrl + F to search for text.

    Step 6: Try adjusting Experimental features.

    In address bar, type edge://flags/#edge-new-pdf-viewer

    Change New PDF Viewer setting between default, enabled and disabled

    Step 7: Try use Edge Beta

    Become a Microsoft Edge Insider | Microsoft Edge

    If the problem persists, consider reporting it to Microsoft through the Edge support page or the feedback tool in Edge (Alt + Shift + I).

    Best Regards,

    Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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