Looking for a simple and free way to unblur Scribd Preview documents?
This step-by-step guide shows you how to view blurred or ad-locked Scribd files without needing extensions, user scripts, or DevTools tricks.
In short, how to remove blur from Scribd, or how to view Scribd documents for free.
No need to install TamperMonkey, do the complicated manually editing page source trick, or rely on long-dead Reddit hacks.
By the way, the ScUnblur-Scribd-Unblur extension still works. Just google for it.
This method even works on those ad-locked documents—you know, the ones that make you wait for ads to load before showing any content.
There was this Chrome extension called ScUnblur (Scribd Unblur) that reveal blurred text and also removed ads.
Unfortunately Chrome Web Store has removed it.
But anyway, here is a simple solution to unblur Scribd Preview documents.
No installation of any browser extension is required.
You get your clear, clutter-free, and ad-free documents.
How To Unblur Scribd Preview Documents
Step 1: Copy The Embed Template Link
1. Copy the link below and paste it into your browser.
https://www.scribd.com/embeds/xxxxxxxx/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-fFexxf7r1bzEfWu3HKwf
📌 NOTE: I highlighted the row of letters X in yellow because it needs to be replaced with the actual digits from the Scribd document URL later.
Step 2: Get The Scribd Document ID
Look at the document's URL in your browser address bar.
The document ID is the series of digits right after doc/ or document/.
For example, your document is "A Modern Man Living Guide To Seduction".
This document URL is:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/76680557/A-Modern-Man-Living-Guide-to-Seduction
The Document ID is: 76680557
Copy out this set of digits, and replace them onto the xxxxxxxx in the link.
Step 3: Insert The ID Into Embed Template Link
1. Take the Document ID from Step 2 (76680557).
2. Replace the 'xxxxxxxx' in your template link (from Step 1) with this ID.
3. Now this how unblur link:
https://www.scribd.com/embeds/76680557/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-fFexxf7r1bzEfWu3HKwf
4. Paste this final link into your browser's address bar and press Enter.
Voila! You should now see the complete, unblurred, clutter-free, and ad-free document.
Here is another example of Scribd document locked by ads.
Each time you have to wait for the ad to finish downloading, and then only you can unblur the text to view it.
For instance, this March 1924 Weird Tales magazine features the story "The Spirit Faker Of Hermannstadt" by Harry Houdini.
Its URL is:
https://www.scribd.com/document/490524115/Weird-Tales-v03n03-1924-03-pdf
Similarly, copy the set of digits (490524115) and replace it with the xxxxxxxx of the link.
So you get this:
Click on the link above, and you can view the full 97-page Weird Tales.
How To Save Unblurred Scribd Document
Since you're viewing the document in a special embed format, you can save it for future access:
Bookmark it: Simply bookmark the new embed link in your browser.
Use the Chrome Reading List:
Click the three dots (...) icon in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser.
Select "Bookmarks and lists" > "Reading list".
Click "Add tab to reading list"
Similarly, you can also save it in Instapaper.
⚠️ Important Notes
If a document has been removed or taken down due to copyright infringement, this method will not work.
You might see messages like:
- "Document removed due to copyright infringement."
- "Document deleted by owner."