How to fix Edge showing empty PDFs?

There is a rare bug reported by some users on the Net that affected also one of my machines with Windows 10 1709 (and 1803 now) recently: all of a sudden Microsoft Edge browser opens some PDF files "empty", as white sheets. Here is an example screenshot:

Example (pic): Edge showing an empty PDF

(PDF link: https://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1595/en_US/ipad_user_guide.pdf):

This bug does not happen for all PDF files from the Net but just with some. Can someone help me reset Edge's PDF view feature manipulating/restoring a probably corrupt Registry? I already tried to:

Reset Edge settings and delete everything (cookies etc.)
Repair Edge from installed Apps panel
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose} from PowerShell
Windows 10 In-place Upgrade, but didn't fix it
Microsoft remote help-desk didn't find a fix

Nothing worked. And no one seems to know which are the Registry keys related to PDF view in Edge, and how to reset them.

P.S. I don't have Acrobat Reader or 3rd party viewers installed potentially hi-jacking PDF opening.

hexaae

Posted 2018-05-05T08:39:37.660

Reputation: 83

Since this is a bug in Edge, I think the best solution is to just use another PDF reader and wait for MS to release a patch – rahuldottech – 2018-05-05T10:07:56.717

Answers

I’VE FINALLY FOUND THE CAUSE AND HOW TO SOLVE THE ISSUE!

This problem happens after you change screen color calibration, when setting a new custom calibration as default for your monitor! From that moment on, some PDFs loaded by Edge will be blank!

How to solve the issue:

run colorcpl.exe
enter Advanced tab, and then click button Change system defaults (at bottom). This will open again the same window but in admin mode, to change default settings
enter Advanced tab (remember you are in admin mode changing defaults this time)
set as Device profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (IMPORTANT!)
set as Viewing conditions profile: WCS profile for sRGB viewing conditions (IMPORTANT!)

close everything, and close also all Edge windows if already running… et voilà! Edge will be finally able to display all PDFs again!

hexaae

Posted 2018-05-05T08:39:37.660

Reputation: 83

Those two settings were already present in my colorcpl.exe. Edge still renders many pdfs as pure white :-( – Camille Goudeseune – 2020-02-17T22:59:34.327

@Camille It changes if you modify them as user or as admin. Follow the Guide carefully and change those settings exactly as indicated. Anyway I assume that the new Edge (Chromium) should have no issues with PDFs anymore. – hexaae – 2020-02-18T10:38:44.967