What's in this article:
- Nothing happens when you click the download button
- I don't see a "Download PDF" button
- I see a "404" Error when I try to view my article
- The PDF says "failed to load"
Downloading a PDF not going as expected? This page has a list of errors you might see when you've clicked the "Download PDF" button, but something has gone wrong.
You click the download button and nothing happens:
The PDF document should open in a new window automatically. Once it has opened, you should be able to select the print and save icons in the upper right hand side of the page.
If your PDF does not open, you might try right-clicking on the "Download PDF button" and either:
- saving it to your desktop by choosing "save target as"/"save link as"
- or opening it in a new window
If your PDF still does not open, check that your pop-up blocker is not blocking the new window from popping up. We have an article on how to change your browser settings to allow pop-ups from the JSTOR website.
You may also need the most recent version of Adobe Reader to download documents. This software is available for free on Adobe's website.
I don't see a "Download PDF" button:
You can download PDFs on JSTOR if:
- the content is free or open access
- if you are part of a subscribing school
- and/or if you've purchased an article directly from the site, you should see a red "Download PDF" button on article, chapter, or research report pages that you are able to access:
You will not see the Download PDF option if:
- You are not logged in to your subscribing institution's account (We have an article that will help you log in: "Need Help Logging in to JSTOR?")
- You are logged in to a subscribing institution account, but they do not subscribe to this particular content (Here's how to tell whether you are logged in: "How to tell if you are logged in to JSTOR")
If you are not a member of an institution or if your institution does not have access to the article you want, you have a few options. Some articles may have both or only one of these options. Each option has its own process, summarized below.
Learn more about the details in the JSTOR: how to make an account and get free articles and the Publisher Sales Service: buying an article/issue a la carte sections.
Option 1: Individual Article Purchase
If there is an option to “Purchase article” with a price, you may download and retain access to the the article for the listed price (USD)
Option 2: Free Online-Only Reading
If the option to “Read online” is available, then the article participates in the online-only reading program and can be accessed using a free individual JSTOR account. Downloading a PDF copy of the article is not an option for the free online reading.
I see a "404 Page Loading Error" when I try to download an article
If you see a “Page Loading Error” when you try to download a PDF, take the following steps to make sure that the browser is optimized to use JSTOR by reviewing the following:
- Check to make sure you are using one of our supported browsers
- Once you are sure you are using a supported browser, then clear your cookies and cache
- Then, try to download the article again
If you still get a “404 Page Loading Error” after taking these steps, email support with a screenshot and brief description of your error to support@jstor.org.
I download the article, but it says "Failed to Load"
If you see a "Failed to Load" message when you try to download a PDF, take the following steps to make sure that the browser is optimized:
- Check to make sure you are using one of our supported browsers
- Once you are sure you are using a supported browser, then clear your cookies and cache
- Then, try to download the article again
If you still get a "Failed to Load" after taking these steps, email support with a screenshot and brief description of your error to support@jstor.org.