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Acrobat crashes when trying to add my signature

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When I click the Pen icon to add my signature to a document Acrobat crashes. We have tried uninstaling and reinstaling and using the most current version of Acrobat as well as the last version. Any other suggestions?

Adobe_error.pdf

Meenakshi_NegiCorrect answer

Legend

Hi Amanda386797201qhm, and Janeisy3871966607s9,

Thank you for the information.

The team is aware of the issue and is working on the fix. We will update you once the fix patch is available.

In the meantime, try the workaround mentioned here.

Please go to the location mentioned below and delete the following files:

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initials

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initialsi

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initialsk

Let us know if that helps.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

R

Renee_Ford7004

Participant

It is now September 2025 and this issue began yesterday for me. I have checked for updates and it says there are none. I've updated Microsoft. Has there ever been a resolution for this? Apparently there is no way to actually speak with a live tech support person? If so, I cannot find it. Thanks.

Renee

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Erica Urzua

Participant

Hi, I have the same issue. I tried to delete the files as you advice earlier but I can't find them nor the location mentioned. I have tried un/reinstaling without success.

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C

cindy_3565

Participant

Hi ~

This is what worked for me:

1. Access the operating system for the computer, for example "OS (C:)"
(this is the title of my operating system)
2. Open "Users" folder
3. Then find the folder that is titled whatever your name is on your
computer, and open that folder
4. Open "AppData" folder
5. Open "Roaming" folder
6. Open "Adobe" folder
7. Open "Acrobat" folder
8. Open "2020" folder (this is the version of Acrobat that I have; you may
have a different version, such as "DC" -- if you do, open that folder)
9. Open "Security" folder
10. Delete the following files, which for some reason have become
corrupted in your system:

- acrobat_fss_signature_initials
- acrobat_fss_signature_initialsi
- acrobat_fss_signature_initialsk

Open Adobe Acrobat and see if you now are able to utilize the signature
tools.

Let me know if this works for you, if not I'll see if I can find other info
to help.

Cindy

*Start where you are.*
*Use what you have.*
*Do what you can.*
- Arthur Ashe

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E

Erica Urzua

Participant

Hi, thank you for your answer.

I found the files but it did not work. Adobe is still crashing.

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Meenakshi_Negi

Legend

Hi All,

The issue has been addressed in the latest update released today. Try updating the application to the latest version available. In Acrobat, go to Help > Check for updates. Check if that resolves the issue.

You may also refer to the information on the latest update on the following help page: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/release-note/release-notes-acrobat-reader.html.

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

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C

Charismatic_fighter5CAA

Participant

This keeps happening for me as well. I have tried updating, reinstalling etc..

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Meenakshi_Negi

Legend

Hi S Sochatsky,

Thank you for reaching out.

Please ensure that you are updated to the latest version. In Acrobat, go to Menu > Help > Check for updates. For more information on the latest updates, refer to the following help page: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/release-note/release-notes-acrobat-reader.html.

If that does not help, please try the workaround shared below:

Please go to the location mentioned below and delete the following files:

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initials

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initialsi

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initialsk

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

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A

Andrew38780643pin5

Participant

The same is happening to me. Adobe keeps crashing when I try to add my signature

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Meenakshi_NegiCorrect answer

Legend

Hi Amanda386797201qhm, and Janeisy3871966607s9,

Thank you for the information.

The team is aware of the issue and is working on the fix. We will update you once the fix patch is available.

In the meantime, try the workaround mentioned here.

Please go to the location mentioned below and delete the following files:

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initials

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initialsi

%appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Security\acrobat_fss_signature_initialsk

Let us know if that helps.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

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Mountain2Me

Participant

This issue started happening to me today - no matter how many times I tried when I change a field to signature the program crashes. I uninstalled and reinstalled the program. I have repaired the install and checked for updates. I have turned off features that were suggested. I cannot find the “Security” folder you mention or those files. Please help. This is making your product unusable. It is also a year plus since this issue was reported. Why isn’t it fixed?

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Anand Sri Bhattacharya

Community Manager

Hello @Mountain2Me

I hope you are doing well, and we are sorry for the trouble.

We’ve reported this issue to the product team, and they are working on identifying the root cause and working on a fix.

We’ll share an update as soon as the fix is available with a public release.

Thanks for your cooperation on this.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

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justlearnskills

Community Expert

@Amanda386797201qhm @Janeisy3871966607s9 here's a different thought... may I suggest you sign your signature on a piece of paper (white preferably) with your choice of colour pen. Scan it in as a PNG or JPG, and then place that signature as an image. It would be your real signature versus an Adobe Signature. I do this when I need to sign a PDF with my real signature versus using Addobe Signature

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A

Amanda386797201qhmAuthor

Participant

The issue with that is I also would have to add a text box to be able to add my notes as well. Two mannual steps to fix a major issue are not viable work arounds long term.

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J

Janeisy3871966607s9

Participant

The same happening to me, and now I can not add pages because it completely freezes. I do really need this tool but is not working at all.

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