PDF not rendering on some SharePoint list

Question

Hello

Please i need your help on this issue.

PDF not rendering on some SharePoint list.

Some users are having an issue where the PDF viewer will not always render the PDF, often just a black or blank screen (attached).

We have tried Edge, Chrome and Firefox, deleted cache, reset browser to defaults. OS is Windows 11.

This is hampering the ability of staff to do their daily tasks severely!

Answer 1

Hi @IBN ,

Below are some troubleshooting steps and workarounds you can try when PDFs don’t render correctly (showing a black or blank screen) on a SharePoint list:

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1. Verify the PDF File Itself

• Check File Integrity: Ensure that the PDF isn’t corrupted. Try downloading the file and opening it locally using Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader.
• File Size and Complexity: Large or complex PDFs (especially those with transparency or embedded multimedia) can sometimes fail to render properly in web-based viewers.

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2. Browser and Rendering Settings

• Disable Hardware Acceleration: In browsers like Edge and Chrome, hardware acceleration can sometimes interfere with rendering. For Edge/Chrome: Go to Settings > System (or Advanced) and turn off hardware acceleration. Then restart the browser.
• Test Using Browser’s Native PDF Viewer: Sometimes third-party PDF plugins (or the default Office Online viewer) may have issues. Instruct users to use the browser’s native PDF viewer if possible.
• Try Incognito/Private Mode: Even if cache and cookies have been cleared, testing in an incognito window can rule out interference from extensions.

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3. SharePoint-Specific Considerations

• Check List Customizations: If the list where the PDFs reside has custom formatting or custom web parts, temporarily disable them to see if they might be interfering with PDF rendering.
• Review Library Settings: Verify that the document library’s settings haven’t changed. For example, ensure that the default file handling is set to open files in the browser rather than forcing a download.
• Test Across Sites: Determine whether the issue is isolated to one list or if it happens in other document libraries or sites. This can help pinpoint if the problem is configuration-specific.

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4. Additional Workarounds

• Re-upload the PDF: Sometimes simply removing and re-uploading a problematic PDF can clear rendering issues.
• Alternate Viewing Options: Consider instructing users to click “Open in browser” or use the “Download” option as a temporary workaround while the underlying issue is investigated.
• Monitor Microsoft Updates: There have been intermittent reports of PDF rendering issues in SharePoint Online. Check Microsoft’s support channels or the Microsoft Tech Community for any known issues or patches related to the PDF viewer.

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