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Fix Adobe Acrobat or Reader crashes, freezes, or startup errors (Windows & macOS)
Is your Adobe Acrobat DC or Reader crashing, freezing, or not opening after launch? These proven troubleshooting steps resolve most startup issues, including problems after Windows 11 updates, macOS upgrades, activation errors, compatibility conflicts, and installation failures.
Common scenarios & solutions
The following steps provide guidance for resolving this error across various scenarios. Please review and follow them accordingly:
1: Acrobat/Reader crashes immediately after launch
Symptoms: The App closes instantly or displays a crash error every time it is opened. Cause: Corrupted components, damaged preferences, or incomplete updates.
Solution:
Download and run the Adobe Cleaner Tool to remove previous installations, leftover files, and broken binaries.
Uninstall Acrobat/Reader completely
Restart your computer to clear locked processes
Download and install the latest version. A fresh installation ensures all critical components load correctly.
2: Acrobat/Reader won’t open after Windows update (including Windows 11 24H2)
Symptoms: Error like “Application could not start correctly” after OS upgrade. Cause: Incomplete Windows updates or an outdated Acrobat build.
Solution:
If the Acrobat/Reader app opens, update it to sync with the OS after system upgrades.
Open Acrobat, then go to Help > Check for Updates and install any available updates. Learn more.
Check for pending Windows OS updates and install them. Incomplete Windows updates can prevent the installation of required runtime files.
Optional Testing Step: Disable Protected Mode (Windows Only)
Open Acrobat/Reader > Go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Uncheck Enable Protected Mode at startup
:warning: Security Note: Protected Mode is a security feature that helps prevent malicious content in PDFs from affecting your system. Please turn it off only for testing purposes. Do not open files from unknown sources while it’s off. If this step resolves the issue, we can guide you toward a safer, permanent fix. Learn more
3: Acrobat/Reader freezes or is not responding at startup
Symptoms: Blank screen, splash screen hang, or app stops responding before fully loading. Cause: Corrupted program files or plug-ins, damaged shared components after partial updates, or insufficient permissions (Windows without admin rights).
Solution:
Run as Administrator (Windows Only). Windows may block specific runtime files unless elevated permission is granted.
Right-click the Acrobat/Reader icon and select Run as administrator
If the Acrobat/Reader app opens, repair the Installation. It will repair corrupted program files, plug-ins, or shared components that cause a freeze/lock state.
Open Acrobat/Reader > Go to Help > Repair Installation.
4: Acrobat/Reader crashes due to security or antivirus conflicts
Symptoms: A crash occurs when opening PDFs from email or the web, and an error appears before the document loads. Cause: Protected Mode or Enhanced Security settings are conflicting with system policies, or third-party antivirus software is blocking Acrobat’s processes and runtime DLLs.
Solution:
Turn off Protected Mode (Windows Only) :warning: Security Note: Protected Mode is a security feature that helps prevent malicious content in PDFs from affecting your system. Please turn it off only for testing purposes. Do not open files from unknown sources while it’s off. If this step resolves the issue, we can guide you toward a safer, permanent fix. Learn more
Open Acrobat/Reader > Go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Uncheck Enable Protected Mode at startup
Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus software and test launching Acrobat/Reader. Security apps may block Acrobat’s processes needed at startup. :warning: Security Note: Disabling antivirus software reduces system protection. Re-enable antivirus immediately after testing.
5: Acrobat/Reader crashes on macOS after system update
Symptoms: Crash after macOS upgrade or migration; failure when opening tools like Edit PDF or Organize Pages. Cause: Incompatible preference files or plug-ins carried over during migration, macOS SIP blocking older Acrobat components, or outdated binaries failing under new security frameworks.
Solution:
Download and run the Adobe Cleaner Tool to remove previous installations. Ensures no incompatible preference files or plug-ins were carried over during migration.
Uninstall Acrobat/Reader
Restart your computer
Download and install the latest version/fresh build, because macOS System Integrity Protection (SIP) sometimes blocks older components after updates.
If problems persist
Collect crash logs using the Adobe crash reporter. This HelpX document outlines methods for retrieving logs.
Contact Adobe Support for further help.
Hope that helped! If you’re still experiencing issues, please reply with more details. We’re here to help. 😊
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