5 Common PDF Embed Errors

Here are a few specific PDF embed errors that people may encounter when attempting to embed PDFs on a website. We strive to avoid that our users do not have these issues but other solutions can experience these.

1. “Failed to load PDF document”: This error message typically indicates that the PDF file specified for embedding could not be loaded or found. It could be due to an incorrect file path or URL, a server-side issue, or a problem with the embedding code itself. Ensure that the PDF file is correctly located and accessible, double-check the file path or URL, and verify that the embedding code is correctly implemented. Resource Center usually warns you if there is a file error upon upload and is easy to troubleshoot. Since we host it, file paths are no longer an issue for you.
2. Blank or white space instead of PDF content: Sometimes, when embedding a PDF, instead of displaying the expected content, only a blank or white space is shown. This issue can occur due to compatibility issues with the chosen embedding method or PDF viewer. A blank PDF is likely a saving issue rather than a website software issue.
3. Corrupted or incomplete PDF display: In some cases, the embedded PDF may appear corrupted or display only a portion of its content. This error can be caused by various factors, such as file corruption during upload or issues with the PDF viewer’s rendering capabilities. Again, our system should warn you of these problems, unlike trying to upload it to your server manually.
4. Unresponsive or non-functional PDF viewer controls: Another issue users may face is when the embedded PDF viewer controls, such as zooming, scrolling, or page navigation, do not respond or function as expected. Incompatible embedding methods or conflicts with other JavaScript or CSS on the webpage can cause this error. Resource Center manages this for you. Outside of inaccurately copying our embed, our viewer will work great.
5. “Mixed Content” or “Insecure Content” Warning: Modern web browsers enforce strict security measures and may display warnings when a website tries to embed a PDF over an insecure connection (HTTP) while the website itself is using a secure connection (HTTPS). This warning indicates potential security risks and may block the PDF from displaying or restrict certain functionalities. Our documents are hosted securely so this is not an issue on our end. Contact your web host if you are seeing problems.

It’s important to note that specific errors can vary depending on the embedding method, PDF viewer used, and other factors. Many people avoid PDFs because they have consigned themselves and the technology as incompatible. This is simply the wrong way to view PDFs.