Black screen after adding signature

I’m having similar issue - gray popup blocking UI just a few seconds after I open the Acrobat. Same on Windows 11 and MacOS Tahoe. Tried clearing cache, adding registry value on windows, reinstalling. Nothing works. Unable to use the app at all. Latest version installed on both OS.

Added Registry edit for "bDisableNativeWebviews".  Installed latest update 26.001.21677.  Cleared temp files.  Rebooted.  Still same error when Requesting E-Signature.

The white UI box pops up momentarily to select/enter email addresses, then it disappears and we’re left with the black overlay as shown in the OPs screenshot.  Need to use Task Manager to clear Adobe Processes.

​@Nvbit  ​@LosInMIAComm 

While we investigate the root cause for this issue, can you please try setting the below registry and see if this fixes your issue?
Registry: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown]
"bDisableNativeWebviews"=dword:00000001

I’m having the same issue.  When a client I support opens a PDF in the Adobe Acrobat desktop app, then chooses to “Request E-Signature” from the side bar, the following happens:

It scans the page for form fields

It pops up the screen to add the email recipient

Within a second or two, the email screen disappears and they’re left with the black/grey overlay with the floating toolbar as shown in the original poster’s picture.

This is Windows 11 Pro 25h2.  Edge is the default browser, and is up to date as of 2026-06-12.  The system also has current 2026-06 Windows patches.

This started happening sometime this week.

I did try to turn off the modern signature, and disabling protected mode/enhanced security.

I also tried adding Google Chrome Web Browser and setting that as default.  We have the same symptoms, except the floating toolbar is not there.  Just the black overlay.  I uninstalled Chrome, set Edge back to default, and the floating toolbar is back.

Ultimately, we need to End Task the Acrobat processes.  That black overlay keeps focus, and I cannot minimize, resize, etc.  Other windows cannot come to focus.

Adobe Acrobat is patched to it’s highest level as of 2026-06-12.  

UPDATE:

While proofreading this, I did try something:  Clearing the user’s %TEMP%\  data.  

If I clear the user’s temp files in %TEMP%, then I get the Request E-Signatures to work ONE time.  If I try again, I get the black overlay of doom.  If I end task adobe, clear TEMP data again, I can open another PDF and it works ONE time.

Hi Amal,

Thanks for getting back to me. Here are the details you asked for:

- Acrobat version: 26.001.21662 (already on the latest update)
- OS: Windows 11
- When it started: suddenly since yesterday. It worked fine before that.
- Which PDFs: it happens with all PDFs, specifically files I save as PDF from Word and then try to add a digital signature to.

Steps I've already tried:
- Temporarily disabled Enhanced Security and Protected Mode > no effect
- Completely uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Acrobat > issue still persists

I'll also try the page cache option you mentioned (Preferences > Page Display > Rendering, uncheck "Use Page Cache", then reboot the app) and let you know if it helps.

If it's still not resolved after that, I'll send over a short screen recording of the steps and the issue.

Best regards

Hi there 

Hope you are doing well and sorry for the trouble.

Have you started experiencing this issue recently after the update or was it occurring earlier as well?

What is the version of the Acrobat Application and the OS you are using? Is this an issue with a particular PDF file or with all the PDF? Please try with a diffreent PDF file and check. Also make sure the application is updated to the latest version  26.001.21662 Planned update, Jun 09, 2026. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

You may also try disabeling the page cache Go to Preferences (Ctrl,Cmd+K) > Page Display > Rendering, and uncheck “Use Page Cache” > Click OK and reboot the application.

Also try to turn off the protected mode for testing. Go to Preferences (Ctrl,Cmd+K) > Security (Enhanced) temporarily disable Enhanced Security and Protected Mode, then test signing.
Note: Re-enable the security after testing.

If it still doesn’t work, please share a small video recording of the steps you are taking and the issue as it occurs along with the details asked above, for further investigation.

~Amal