Cannot open HTTPS hyperlinks to PDF documents from Word 2016

Question

Hi,

We are having a strange issue.

I've tried searching, and can see some similar issues, but no real resolutions.

I have narrowed the issue down to:

Windows 10 (Enterprise) 64-bit

MS Office 2016 32-bit (Part of Office 365 E3)

Create a Word document, and add a hyperlink to a PDF file hosted using HTTPS (e.g. https://domain.com/document.pdf)

If the link is http, it works.

If the link is to a normal website, it works.

Only when it is both PDF and HTTPS, it fails.

If I change the https in the hyperlink to http, then the document will open, though it gives this message first:

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks,

Anthony

Answer 1

Hi Anthony,

Thank you for update. Based on my research and test, I found another solution. Please try the following steps and check if it works:

1. Start Internet Explorer.
2. Go to Settings > Internet options > Advanced.
3. Check the following options:

4. Go to Word and check the result.

Here is a reference for you.

If the issue persists, please provide detailed OS version to help us further investigate the issue.

Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

Regards,

Joshua

Answer 2

Hi Anthony,

Please share some update with us when at your convenience.

Regards,

Joshua

Answer 3

We don't have the SSL 2.0 option available to us at all.

SSL 3.0 is there but not selected.

TLS 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 are selected.

Our cybersecurity policy has disabled SSL 3.0, and we cannot enable it.

Answer 4

Hi Anthony,

Do you have a space machine for test? Could you please try the steps mentioned in Error message when clicking hyperlink in Office: "Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server" and check the result? This article also provides download link of easy fix wizard which can solve the issue, could you please have a try on this?

If the issue persists, to help us further investigate the issue, please provide your detailed OS version.

Regards,

Joshua

Answer 5

Hi Anthony,

Have you tried the suggestion above? Keep us updated when at your convenience.

Regards,

Joshua