Adobe Digital Editions 4.5 Error code: E_ACT_NOT_READY

I updated to Adobe Digital Editions 4.5 after a gap in using this service.  When trying to open a book from the Open Library on a 2 week loan I get the error code, which reads in full:

Unable to download. Error getting License. License Server Communication Problem. E_ACT_NOT_READY.

Unfortunately, this is something way out of my field of expertise. So please be kind!