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Safari Blocked Plug-in Error when downloading PDF files on Mac

Have you ever tried to open a PDF in Safari on the Mac, only to be hit with a “Blocked Plug-In” message in the browser, rather than the PDF?

While sometimes this can relate to having the Adobe Acrobat plugin installed on the Mac, it can also be an issue with Safari and loading some PDF files in general. Perhaps it’s just a bug, or an overzealous security measure, but if you find the “Blocked Plug-in” message in Safari on the Mac when attempting to load a PDF, and you need to have access to that PDF, here’s one way to get around the error message and open the PDF file.

This is a bit of a workaround for loading a PDF file despite the “Blocked Plug-in” Safari message, but it works, and you’ll have access to the PDF.

Loading a PDF on Mac Despite the “Blocked Plug-in” Safari Error

All you need to do is download the PDF file locally to your Mac, then open it in Preview instead of Safari.

  • Hit the Back button in Safari to find the preceding link to the PDF file
  • Right-click on the link to the PDF then choose “Download Linked File” (or “Download Linked File As…”

Download the PDF manually from Safari

  • Navigate to the “Downloads” folder in the Mac Finder or by opening it through the Dock
  • Locate the PDF file and double-click on it to open it directly into Preview

Now you have loaded the PDF, without using Safari, and bypassing the plug-in blocked message.

While the PDF loads into Preview instead of Safari, this trick also has the advantage of downloading the PDF file from Safari to the Mac locally, which you might be looking to do anyway.

Did this work for you to access the PDF file despite the Blocked Plug-in message in Safari? Do you use another approach, or did you find another solution to resolving the Blocked Plug-in message? Let us know in the comments.

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How to remove blocked plug-in on Mac

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

This article explains the rationale behind a blocked plug-in on Mac and provides a workaround for the error, including a way to remove the misbehaving app.

Update: March 2024

Plug-ins are intended to make sure a system component, such as a web browser, supports certain features or types of content provided by websites and other modern electronic services. This is an important prerequisite for delivering a proper user experience, but with the caveat that these enhancements largely have a third-party nature and may become a source of security issues. An error on Mac saying “ Blocked Plug-in ” typically means that the system has prevented a specific plug-in from running. Most reports regarding this issue are associated with Adobe software, including Flash Player and Acrobat Reader. For instance, the alert may occur when a user tries to open an email link in Safari leading to a PDF document. The file preview turns out to be a no-go in this case as the browser displays a black screen with the above-mentioned message in the center. Incidentally, this can be a cross-browser issue and hold true for Chrome and Firefox as well.

‘Blocked Plug-in’ error in Safari

One more scenario that falls under the same category is when a Mac user goes to a website that relies on Adobe Flash Player to interact with the visitors. A common situation involves watching multimedia or playing an in-page game. The “Blocked Plug-in” error may show up alongside a notification saying that the content requires the latest version of the Flash Player. Why would Apple pull the plug on a plug-in (pardon the linguistic redundancy)? In the case of Flash, things are fairly clear. This software has gained notoriety for being crammed up with vulnerabilities. Although Adobe is releasing patches off and on, computers running it may stay susceptible to cybercriminals’ attacks for months. Arbitrary code execution and data theft are among the biggest issues stemming from these imperfections. Moreover, the vendor is rumored to plan on ending support of Flash Player in 2020 and it will be eventually disabled from major web browsers by default. As a matter of fact, Apple has already done it since Safari 10, but users can still turn on the plug-in if they need it.

Special Offer “Blocked Plug-in” error virus may re-infect your Mac multiple times unless you delete all of its fragments, including hidden ones. Therefore, it is recommended to download Combo Cleaner and scan your system for these stubborn files. This way, you may reduce the cleanup time from hours to minutes. Download Now Learn how ComboCleaner works . If the utility spots malicious code, you will need to buy a license to get rid of it.

In addition to the obvious legit causes for macOS to block a plug-in, there is a shadier course of action that involves the error messages in question. Malware distributors might try to ambush a user by misreporting a bug of that kind. To execute this hoax, perpetrators use a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that hijacks the victim’s web browser and either forwards the traffic to sketchy sites or triggers misleading popup warnings. This type of a malvertising campaign is accompanied by “Missing Plug-in” or “Blocked Plug-in” alerts. Unlike valid system notifications, these ones will typically include a button to download the latest build of the “enhancement” tool. However, instead of installing the software, this routine results in depositing a malicious app such as adware that will embed sponsored links and display ads across the visited web pages. Scareware is another common form of harmful code doing the rounds this way.

If “Blocked Plug-in” errors are actually shown by macOS for security reasons or to maintain system stability, there are several things that should sort it out. Before moving on to the troubleshooting, it’s worth pointing out that the benign instance of disabling of a random plug-in usually occurs right after an upgrade to a new system version that introduces a change in handling third-party applications. Let’s now zoom back into the repair. Here are a few techniques every effected Mac user should try first:

  • Update the plug-in. First things first, the applet may have been blocked because it’s way out of date. If so, the starting point of the fix is to determine which plug-in cannot be launched. If the error pops up when you are trying to preview a PDF file received over email, then go to get.adobe.com and download the newest iteration of Acrobat Reader. If it’s a Flash Player issue, then install the most recent release of the program from the above site.
  • Make sure Safari is up to date. Note that the “Blocked Plug-in” alert is mostly a Safari issue. If you are using macOS Big Sur, then you already have the latest version of the browser and you can skip this step. For earlier versions of the operating system, click the App Store icon in the Dock, go to the Updates tab, and check if there is a newer version of Safari or whatever browser is acting up. Apply the update if available.
  • Re-enable the plug-in manually. Expand the Safari menu and select Preferences. Click the Websites tab (on older macOS versions, go to Security tab). The bottom part of the left-hand navigation bar reflects the list of installed plug-ins and their current status. Find the right entry and check the box next to it to enable the plug-in. You can configure the app to only run on specific sites, too.

If the above steps don’t rid you of the “Blocked Plug-in” error, chances are that it’s caused by malicious activity on your Mac. To address the predicament, you need to check the computer for unwanted code and remove it for good. The sections below will walk you through this process.

Blocked plug-in error virus manual removal for Mac

The steps listed below will walk you through the removal of this malicious application. Be sure to follow the instructions in the specified order.

Go to Utilities

As an illustration, here are several examples of LaunchAgents related to mainstream Mac infections: com.pcv.hlpramc.plist, com.updater.mcy.plist, com.avickUpd.plist, and com.msp.agent.plist . If you spot files that don’t belong on the list, go ahead and drag them to the Trash.

Root-level LaunchAgents folder contents

Get rid of “Blocked Plug-in” alert in web browser on Mac

To begin with, the web browser settings taken over by the blocked plug-in error virus should be restored to their default values. Although this will clear most of your customizations, web surfing history, and all temporary data stored by websites, the malicious interference should be terminated likewise. The overview of the steps for completing this procedure is as follows:

Go to Preferences in Safari

  • Restart Safari

Chrome Settings

  • When on the Settings pane, select Advanced

Reset settings in Chrome on Mac

  • Confirm the intended changes and restart Firefox.

Get rid of “Blocked Plug-in” error using Combo Cleaner removal tool

The Mac maintenance and security app called Combo Cleaner is a one-stop tool to detect and remove “Blocked Plug-in” error virus. This technique has substantial benefits over manual cleanup, because the utility gets hourly virus definition updates and can accurately spot even the newest Mac infections.

Furthermore, the automatic solution will find the core files of the malware deep down the system structure, which might otherwise be a challenge to locate. Here’s a walkthrough to sort out the “Blocked Plug-in” error issue using Combo Cleaner:

Download Combo Cleaner

By downloading any applications recommended on this website you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy . The free scanner checks whether your Mac is infected. To get rid of malware, you need to purchase the Premium version of Combo Cleaner.

  • Open the app from your Launchpad and let it run an update of the malware signature database to make sure it can identify the latest threats.

Combo Cleaner Mac scan progress

  • Once you have made doubly sure that the malicious app is uninstalled, the browser-level troubleshooting might still be on your to-do list. If your preferred browser is affected, resort to the previous section of this tutorial to revert to hassle-free web surfing.

What is block plugin?

A plugin can be blocked on your Mac for two reasons. First, it may not run if it’s out of date and lacks functionality to fully support your current software. The other scenario kicks in when Apple prevents a specific plugin from being executed due to compatibility issues or security concerns. The latter situation is far more common, given the Mac maker’s hardening control over the ecosystem of third-party code. If a plugin – which is technically a piece of software – fails to pass macOS notarization checks, you won’t be able to launch it and view web content that uses this potentially harmful entity.

How do I unblock a plug-in on my Mac?

Apple has been changing things a bit in this regard. All of your previously installed Safari plugins used to be listed under the “Security” tab of the browser’s Preferences screen. If you are using the latest Safari version, though, the bulk of this logic has migrated into the “Websites” tab. It allows you to specify permissions for websites to use specific plug-ins and features. In most cases, the original configuration of the item called “Reader” gives Mac users a hard time and causes the “Blocked Plug-in” alert. To get around this obstacle, click this entry in the sidebar and select “On” next to the relevant site.

There are also extensions listed under the eponymous Safari Preferences tab that displays your add-ons along with their current statuses. If you discover that an extension you need has been disabled, you can unblock it by putting a checkmark next to its name. Before doing it, make sure this item is legitimate and won’t harm your system. It is recommended to stick with extensions available on the official App Store. They are extensively checked for dubious activity and updated automatically.

How do I stop blocked plugins on Mac?

If a plugin is blocked on Mac, there is no need to stop it additionally. It won’t run anyway. In case you need the plugin to work again, open Safari, head to Preferences, click the “Websites” tab, select the blocked plugin in the sidebar, and change the setting for a particular website from “Off” to “On”. This will allow the content to be displayed on that resource. If you are sure that it’s safe to allow the plugin on all websites, simply select “On” next to the option at the bottom that says, “When visiting other websites”.

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Can’t Open a PDF in Safari? Here's How to Fix That

There are a few ways to fix Safari if it refuses to open PDFs from the websites you visit. Luckily, every option is quick and easy to follow.

You’ve clicked on a link that should open a PDF in Safari. The link goes through, but you can’t see the PDF—there’s just a gray background.

You can Control-click on the PDF, and your Mac says there’s a PDF there, but you just can’t see it. Refreshing the page doesn’t fix anything, nor does restarting Safari.

I’ve been in this unusual situation before, and I can help you fix it. Read on to see how to view a PDF that Safari won’t open, and how to fix Safari so other PDFs will be visible in the future.

The Quick Fixes

If you can’t see or load a PDF in Safari, one of the easiest fixes is to stop using Safari to try to view the PDF. This means copying the PDF’s URL from Safari and pasting it into another browser, like Chrome or Microsoft Edge ( Edge works very well on Macs , for the record).

If you don’t want to open another browser though, you do have another option.

If you can Control-click on the PDF to download it or click the download button available for the PDF in the Safari window, do so. You can then open and view the PDF in Preview or your preferred PDF-viewing Preview alternative . You can drag the PDF into the Trash if you don’t end up needing it after you read it. And if you do need it in the future, you’ve already downloaded it!

These options work well, but maybe you really just want to be able to open PDFs in Safari. There are ways to do that, too, which we’ll go over in the next section.

How to Get Safari to View PDFs Again

The first place to check when you can’t view PDFs in Safari is your Safari plug-ins or extensions. It’s possible one of them is hiding the PDF from you or affecting Safari in a negative way.

To access your Safari plug-ins or extensions, open Safari > Preferences and then head to the Websites tab. Scroll down the menu on your left, and you should find the Plug-ins or Extensions headings.

Click on any plug-in in this list to see a list of current websites and whether that plug-in is working on the website where you have the PDF open. If it is, set the drop-down menu beside it to Off . Then refresh the PDF, and see if it’s visible.

With extensions, set their drop-down menus to Deny to prevent them from working. Though, if an extension is the root of the problem, it might be worth updating or removing the extension entirely to see if that improves your PDF visibility issues.

But what if you don’t have any plug-ins or extensions in your Safari preferences? Or you’ve demonstrated that they’re not the issue with seeing PDFs in Safari? The problem-causing plug-in might be hidden away in your Mac Library instead.

Specifically, the AdobePDFViewer plug-ins are likely to be the root of your problem. To find these plugins and remove them, so PDFs become visible in Safari again, head to Finder > Go > Go to Folder .

In the search window that appears, type in or copy and paste /Library/Internet Plug-ins . Locate and select all files with AdobePDFViewer in the name in the Internet Plug-Ins Finder window, and drag them into your Trash.

Your Mac may prompt you to input your password or use Touch ID to confirm you want to move these plug-ins. Do whichever you want to ensure those files go into your Trash.

Refresh the Safari window where you’re trying to view a PDF. The PDF should now be visible to you!

Different Safari PDF Visibility Fixes for Different Moments

I was very excited to find several solutions to the invisible PDF problem in Safari, and I hope my findings can help you out too.

Whether you’re happy opening PDFs in non-Safari browsers to save time or are eager to delve into your Mac’s library to improve your workflow in Safari over the long term, the tips above will help you view PDFs online when you need them.

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How to Fix “Blocked Plug-in” PDF Safari Error on Mac

  • 2 years ago 12 November 2021

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safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

Have you ever tried to open a PDF in Safari on the Mac, only to be hit with a “Blocked Plug-In” message in the browser, rather than the PDF?

While sometimes this can relate to having the Adobe Acrobat plugin installed on the Mac, it can also be an issue with Safari and loading some PDF files in general. Perhaps it’s just a bug, or an overzealous security measure, but if you find the “Blocked Plug-in” message in Safari on the Mac when attempting to load a PDF, and you need to have access to that PDF, here’s one way to get around the error message and open the PDF file.

This is a bit of a workaround for loading a PDF file despite the “Blocked Plug-in” Safari message, but it works, and you’ll have access to the PDF.

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Safari on Catalina not loading PDF

Using Safari 14.0.1 on Catalina 10.15.7, I'm unable to view a certain PDF .

Safari loads a black screen with a "Blocked Plug-in" message in the middle.

Other PDFs, such as this one , will load just fine.

Earlier I noticed that I had Adobe Acrobat Reader DC installed. I used the Acrobat Cleaner Tool to remove it from my system.

Others are also having the same problem but no solution has been found yet. Any idea how to force Safari to use it's own internal PDF rendering engine?

  • adobe-acrobat
  • adobe-reader
  • macos-catalina

djibouti33's user avatar

I happened across this issue today with MacOS 11.2.3 and Safari 14.0.3. The solution for me was to find a PDF in the Finder and "get info" on it using the system menu.

Once I did that I selected "Preview" again as the default app viewer and then clicked "Change All...".

Once I did this and reloaded the PDF in the browser it displayed using the default Preview app and no more Plug-in Blocked.

Hope this helps

MotoDC's user avatar

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged pdf adobe-acrobat safari adobe-reader macos-catalina ..

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safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

Configure browser to use the Adobe PDF plug-in to open online PDF files

Solve PDF issues by reconfiguring your browser to work with Acrobat or Reader plug-in.

Many recent browser versions include their own, native PDF plug-ins that automatically replace the Acrobat and Reader plug-in from Adobe. Installing Firefox 19 or later, for instance, can result in your Adobe plug-in being disabled and replaced. Browser plug-ins typically do not support all PDF capabilities or offer comparable features. If you experience the following problems, you may need to revert to the Adobe plug-in:

  • Parts of a PDF don’t display
  • Poor performance or image quality
  • Large files sizes when printing to PDF
  • 3D models don't render
  • Embedded SWF files don't play

Solution: Revert to Adobe PDF plug-in

Choose your browser and system:

Manually change your browser preferences so that it uses the Acrobat or Reader PDF viewer.

Firefox on Windows

Choose Firefox > Options > Applications .

In the Content Type area, scroll to Portable Document Format (PDF).

Click the Action column next to Portable Document Format (PDF), and then select an application to open the PDF. For example, to use the Acrobat plug-in within the browser, choose Use Adobe Acrobat (in Firefox) .

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

Firefox on Mac OS

Select Firefox.

Choose Preferences > Applications.

Select Portable Document Format (PDF) from the Content Type Column.

Click the Action column next to Portable Document Format (PDF), and then select  Use Adobe Acrobat NPAPI Plug-in .

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

Chrome on Mac or Windows

Chrome and Acrobat are no longer compatible. For more information, see Change in support for Acrobat and Reader plug-ins in modern web browsers .

Safari on Mac OS

In the Finder, select a PDF, and choose File > Get Info.

Click the arrow next to Open With to expose the product menu.

Choose either Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader from the application menu.

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

Click the  Change All  button.

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

When asked if you want to change all similar documents, click  Continue .

Safari on Mac or Windows - browser preferences

Launch Safari and choose Safari > Preferences.

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

In the Preferences window, click  Security , and then click  Website Settings  next to Internet plug-ins.

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

Select Adobe Reader in the list of plug-ins. Under When Visiting Other Websites, in the drop-down list choose  Allow Always  and click  Done .

The browser is now set to use the Adobe Reader plug-in to display PDFs.

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How to unblock Safari plug-ins on the Mac

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

I’m seeing blocked plug-in messages in Safari, how do I unblock these plug-ins and get my Mac working properly?

This question about blocked plug-ins in Safari crops up from time to time (typically following a security update). Back in 2012 Apple became serious about demanding better security updates from companies making plug-ins for its web browser. If a plug-in is deemed by Apple to be a security risk then it will be blocked from Safari until the plug-in developer issues an update.

Blocking plug-ins is for your protection, but it’s still frustrating to have blocked plug-in messages when you should be browsing the internet.

Read next: Safari tips for Mac  | Best Safari extensions & plugins  | How to clear website history and cookies in Safari

Unblock plug-in by updating Flash

Flash out-of-date alert

UPDATE: Adobe will end support for Adobe Flash on 31 December 2020, which should mean fewer cases of malware being disguised as the Flash Player.

We’re going to assume that Adobe Flash is probably the problematic plug-in. Flash is a target for internet ne’er-do-wells and frequently needs updating (and frequently finds itself on the Safari browser plug-in block list). However, the advice for updating Flash applies to other plug-ins as well. Updating a plug-in is the first point of call for fixing this problem.

According to this Apple Support page: ‘If you’re using an out-of-date version of the Adobe Flash Player plug-in, you may see the message “Blocked plug-in,” “Flash Security Alert,” or “Flash out-of-date” when attempting to view Flash content in Safari.’

Adobe issued an update for Flash on 20th March 2015 so it is likely that you are currently using an out of date version of the Flash plug-in.

Safari typically alerts you to a new Flash plug-in download. If you see the Flash out-of-date error in a webpage follow these steps:

  • Click the arrow to the right of the Flash out-of-date icon.
  • Click Download Flash in the Adobe Flash Player is out-of-date alert window.
  • Open the Install_Flash_Player file in your Downloads folder.
  • Double click the Install Flash Player icon and click Open.
  • Select the “I have read and agree to the terms of the Flash Player Licenses Agreement” check box and click Install.
  • Enter your Admin password and click OK.
  • If you have any web browsers open an alert window will appear. Close any open web browsers (including Safari) and click Retry.

The latest version of Adobe Flash will now be installed on your Mac and the blocked plug-in message should disappear. You can also download the latest Flash update by visiting the Adobe Flash Player website and clicking Update Now.

Enable plug-ins in Safari

It is possible that your plug-ins have been disabled in Safari, and that you need to re-enable them.

  • Choose Safari > Preferences.
  • Click Security.
  • Select the checkbox marked “Allow Plug-ins”.

There are dozens of extensions available for Safari. Read more about the new Extensions for Safari here. 

Here’s how to use OS X Yosemite Extensions and The top 10 Yosemite Extensions

Manage plug-ins in Safari

Manage Safari plug-ins

It is also possible to manually manage whether to Block or Allow plug-ins for each web page you visit in Safari. Many people find this level of control overkill, but you may have adjusted these settings in the past and forgotten. If you are having trouble with blocked plug-ins check the plug-in settings.

  • Click Website Settings next to Allow Plug-Ins.
  • Select the plug-in from the list on the left (typically Adobe Flash Player will have the most settings).
  • View the Configured Websites in the main section and ensure that ones you want to use that plug-in are set to Allow.
  • Change the When Visiting Other Websites setting to either Ask or Allow.
  • Click Done.

Using an out-of-date version of Flash in OS X without it being blocked

Most of the time you should only use the very latest version of Adobe Flash (for security reasons). However, some people are working to an older Flash standard and need to use an older version of Adobe Flash. Follow this Apple Support document for details about using older versions of Flash safely .

Change Region

How to fix 'blocked plug-in' in safari.

For years, plug-ins have been helpful components intended to expand the functionality of programs such as Web browsers. They were essential for various content types to be supported and displayed properly. However, most plug-ins have been released by third parties and have become associated with system vulnerabilities and security issues historically. As such, many browsers have begun moving away from the need for plug-ins by natively integrating a lot of that functionality. 

Still, users may encounter a 'Blocked Plug-in' error message in Safari. Usually, the message indicates that the system has stopped a specific plug-in from executing. In most cases, an incompatibility issue between the browser and the version of the plug-in might have been detected. You can try updating either the Safari browser or the malfunctioning plug-in, depending on which one has an update available. You also can try to enable it in the browser manually:

  • Select the Safari menu.
  • Choose 'Preferences.'
  • Select the 'Websites' tab.
  • Go to the list of installed plug-ins, select the one you want, and check its corresponding box to enable it. 

'Blocked Plug-in' could Indicate Threatening Actions

The presence of the 'Blocked Plug-in' may not always be a signal of a benign problem. It also could be exploited by a corrupted application or a browser extension, in an attempt to trick the user. If such applications are present on the Mac, they could show fake 'Blocked Plug-in' errors that urge the user to update a specific plug-in by clicking on the 'conveniently' provided button. Doing so could trigger a redirect to a questionable or unsafe website. Users may land on online tactics, fake giveaways, phishing pages, or domains promoting PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs). The scheme also could lead to serious malware threats. To mitigate the chances of such negative outcomes, it is recommended to perform thorough scans of your Mac with a professional security solution regularly.

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What Is a “Blocked Plug-in” and How Can I Fix It?

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

At one point or another, most people will have encountered the “Blocked Plug-in” error message. It can appear from time to time when trying to view multi-media content on your Mac. It’s, as you might have guessed, related to browser plug-ins. Browser plug-ins are lightweight applications that add extra features to web browsers. Some well-known browser plug-ins include Adobe Reader, for viewing PDF files, or Flash Player, for viewing multimedia content. However, sometimes, for various reasons, these plug-ins will be blocked by your Mac.

Blocked Plug-in error message explained  

safari blocked plugin pdf 2022

“Blocked Plug-in” is a Mac error message that appears when your Mac detects an outdated plug-in. If a plug-in is out of date, it might contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited, posing a big security risk and potentially causing harm to your Mac.

How do cybercriminals use the Blocked Plug-in error message?

Cybercriminals can take advantage of this Mac error message to mislead users into downloading a malicious or otherwise unwanted application.

How to get rid of the Blocked Plug-in alert?

To remove the Blocked Plug-in alert, follow these steps:

  • Click the Apple menu icon in the top left-hand corner of your screen.
  • When the system menu appears, click “App Store…”.
  • Click the Updates tab.
  • Locate the Safari update and download it.
  • Ensure that all your plug-ins are up to date. You can visit the plug-in developers’ websites to download the latest versions. For example, to get the latest version of Adobe PDF reader, you can download it from get.adobe.com.

If the above steps didn’t work, the problematic plug-in may be malicious and could be capable of causing real harm to your Mac. It is highly recommended that you remove this plugin immediately.

Trend Micro ID Security

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pdf inline viewer showing blocked plugin on issues attachment using safari #20404

@tyroneyeh

tyroneyeh commented Jul 19, 2022

@tyroneyeh

tyroneyeh commented Aug 15, 2022 • edited

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Blocked plug-in message with Safari

I am trying to get a form from a website. Every time I tried click on the link, I get a message Blocked Plug-in. I have turned off Content Blockers, Pop-up blockers, etc. I have rebooted the iMac.

I have Catalina OS (10.15.7) and Safari 13.1.3

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 16, 2022 9:28 AM

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SnickZ.

Dec 19, 2022 7:27 AM in response to Puckandme

Hi Puckandme,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. If you are receiving a blocked plug-in error, here are steps to help:

Since some Adobe products like Acrobat are no longer supported, this may be the plug-in being referred to. To correct this, locate another *.pdf file on your Mac, right-click the document and choose “Get Info”. Make sure that “Open With” is set to the Preview app. See if you still get the error message now. If you do, please continue below:

1. Restart your device to see if the issue is still there: Shut down or restart your Mac - Apple Support

2. Confirm that your device is using the most recent software to rule out the older one: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

3. Try the steps here to see if they help: If Safari on Mac doesn't open a webpage or isn’t working as expected - Apple Support

4. Contact Apple Support here if you need further support: Contact - Official Apple Support

Have a great day.

IMAGES

  1. How to Fix “Blocked Plug-in” PDF Safari Error on Mac

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  2. How to Fix “Blocked Plug-in” PDF Safari Error on Mac

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  4. How to Fix “Blocked Plug-in” PDF Safari Error on Mac

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  5. How to Fix the Blocked Plug-in Alert in Safari

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  6. How do I prevent Safari from blocking the plugin?

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    When viewing some PDFs in Safari on a M1 Mac mini (running macOS 11.4), Safari shows a "Blocked Plug-In" page and the PDF is not shown. This happens for example for this PDF, however other PDFs, such as this one work perfectly fine. An existing Adobe Acrobat Reader installation was uninstalled completely from the System using App Cleaner.

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    Expand the Safari menu and select Preferences. Click the Websites tab (on older macOS versions, go to Security tab). The bottom part of the left-hand navigation bar reflects the list of installed plug-ins and their current status. Find the right entry and check the box next to it to enable the plug-in.

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    To find these plugins and remove them, so PDFs become visible in Safari again, head to Finder > Go > Go to Folder. In the search window that appears, type in or copy and paste /Library/Internet Plug-ins. Locate and select all files with AdobePDFViewer in the name in the Internet Plug-Ins Finder window, and drag them into your Trash.

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    This is a bit of a workaround for loading a PDF file despite the "Blocked Plug-in" Safari message, but it works, and you'll have access to the PDF. Full Article Late 2015 ~ 5K ~ 27 inch iMac ~ macOS Catalina 10.15.7 ~ Clone & Backup with: SuperDuper - Time Machine & iCloud.

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    Select any PDF file using Finder. Right-click then choose Get Info. Observe that Open With is set to an Adobe product such as Acrobat (or perhaps some other PDF reader.) Change it to Preview. Exit the "Get Info" pane. Back in Safari, refresh the myGov page, and try to open the document again.

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    Right-click on that PDF and choose to Download Linked File As… to your Desktop. It will open in the current Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, and also in Apple's Preview via double-click. There is something about that PDF that is incompatible with Apple's Safari PDF plug-in. Firefox 86 will open that link as expected.

  17. How To Fix 'Blocked Plug-in' in Safari

    Select the Safari menu. Choose 'Preferences.' Select the 'Websites' tab. Go to the list of installed plug-ins, select the one you want, and check its corresponding box to enable it. 'Blocked Plug-in' could Indicate Threatening Actions. The presence of the 'Blocked Plug-in' may not always be a signal of a benign problem.

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    How to get rid of the Blocked Plug-in alert? To remove the Blocked Plug-in alert, follow these steps: Update Safari. Click the Apple menu icon in the top left-hand corner of your screen. When the system menu appears, click "App Store…". Click the Updates tab. Locate the Safari update and download it. Ensure that all your plug-ins are up ...

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  23. Blocked plug-in message with Safari

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