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fticon
Participant
November 14, 2023
Answered

How to Troubleshoot PDF Editing Workflows in Acrobat

  • November 14, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 777 views

A few weeks or months ago, my Adobe Acrobat has been experiencing a decline in performance. Tasks like editing text, combining files, optimizing size - everything causes the application to completely freeze for several seconds, with the added suspense of it simply closing.

 

Now I think I've reached my limit. I just opened the program, and it already froze while trying to load the list of recently opened files. I need to combine three PDF files into one, and it's going to take at least 10 times longer than it would with any other free program.

 

There seems to be a serious issue with how Adobe Acrobat handles access to the hard drive and memory management. I perform incredible and complex tasks with Photoshop and Premiere, but when it comes to opening a PDF, it's simply a nightmare.

 

Is anyone else experiencing this?

 

*I'm using Windows 11 Pro 22H2, 16GB of RAM, Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6600 CPU @ 3.30GHz 3.30 GHz, GTX 1660 Super graphics card. Adobe Acrobat version 2023. 006.20360

      Correct answer BaniVerma

      Hi all,

       

      How do I troubleshoot PDF editing workflows in Acrobat?

      If Acrobat stops responding while editing PDFs or using tools such as Edit PDF, Combine Files, or Optimize PDF, follow this structured troubleshooting workflow to help identify the cause before applying a solution.

      Start with these steps:

      1. Update Acrobat to the latest available version.
      2. Restart your computer.
      3. Run Menu > Help > Repair Installation (Windows).
      4. Test the same editing workflow again.

      If the issue persists, try resetting Acrobat's preferences to default:

      • Windows: Close Acrobat, then rename or move the folder at %AppData%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Preferences (for example, to Preferences_old) to keep a backup. Relaunch Acrobat to regenerate default settings.

      This clears customized settings but doesn't affect your documents.

      References

      How can I determine whether the issue is document-specific?

      Compare the behavior by editing multiple PDF files.

      • If the issue occurs only with one PDF, the behavior may be document-specific — a corrupt embedded font or damaged image within that file is a common cause, particularly when combining files.
      • If the issue occurs with multiple PDFs, continue with the troubleshooting workflow.
      • If the issue occurs only with PDFs stored on a network location, test the same PDF from a local drive to help determine whether the behavior is related to the document or the storage location.

      Reference

      Should I temporarily disable Protected Mode while troubleshooting?

      Protected Mode is enabled by default and is Acrobat's primary sandboxing security feature. Keep it enabled during normal use.

      If you're troubleshooting a compatibility issue, you can temporarily disable Protected Mode as a diagnostic step. After testing, re-enable it so Acrobat continues to benefit from its built-in security protections.

      If changing this setting affects the behavior, update incompatible third-party security software or plug-ins where possible, rather than leaving Protected Mode disabled.

      Reference

      What should I do if the issue persists?

      If the issue continues after trying the steps above, collect Adobe Acrobat Diagnostics logs while reproducing the issue and share them with Adobe Support.

      Acrobat Diagnostics captures product logs, process information, and system information that can help Adobe Support investigate PDF editing and application performance issues.

      References

       

      Thanks,

      ^BS

      5 replies

      BaniVerma
      Community Manager
      BaniVermaCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
      Community Manager
      August 7, 2026

      Hi all,

       

      How do I troubleshoot PDF editing workflows in Acrobat?

      If Acrobat stops responding while editing PDFs or using tools such as Edit PDF, Combine Files, or Optimize PDF, follow this structured troubleshooting workflow to help identify the cause before applying a solution.

      Start with these steps:

      1. Update Acrobat to the latest available version.
      2. Restart your computer.
      3. Run Menu > Help > Repair Installation (Windows).
      4. Test the same editing workflow again.

      If the issue persists, try resetting Acrobat's preferences to default:

      • Windows: Close Acrobat, then rename or move the folder at %AppData%\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\Preferences (for example, to Preferences_old) to keep a backup. Relaunch Acrobat to regenerate default settings.

      This clears customized settings but doesn't affect your documents.

      References

      How can I determine whether the issue is document-specific?

      Compare the behavior by editing multiple PDF files.

      • If the issue occurs only with one PDF, the behavior may be document-specific — a corrupt embedded font or damaged image within that file is a common cause, particularly when combining files.
      • If the issue occurs with multiple PDFs, continue with the troubleshooting workflow.
      • If the issue occurs only with PDFs stored on a network location, test the same PDF from a local drive to help determine whether the behavior is related to the document or the storage location.

      Reference

      Should I temporarily disable Protected Mode while troubleshooting?

      Protected Mode is enabled by default and is Acrobat's primary sandboxing security feature. Keep it enabled during normal use.

      If you're troubleshooting a compatibility issue, you can temporarily disable Protected Mode as a diagnostic step. After testing, re-enable it so Acrobat continues to benefit from its built-in security protections.

      If changing this setting affects the behavior, update incompatible third-party security software or plug-ins where possible, rather than leaving Protected Mode disabled.

      Reference

      What should I do if the issue persists?

      If the issue continues after trying the steps above, collect Adobe Acrobat Diagnostics logs while reproducing the issue and share them with Adobe Support.

      Acrobat Diagnostics captures product logs, process information, and system information that can help Adobe Support investigate PDF editing and application performance issues.

      References

       

      Thanks,

      ^BS

      N
      natnol1982
      Participant
      December 12, 2023

      Agreed! It's become a nightmare to work on it. Normally it's the fastest and cleanest viewer of pdfs, and is great for checking things for print. Now I can barely do anything on it. It's driving me nuts!

        S
        Sanjeev Pratap
        Participant
        November 16, 2023

        Hi @fticon 

         

        We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to you by this experience. Could you please try udpating to latest version and perform the actions again. Also if possible, could you please share the files that you are trying to interact with here.

         

        Meanwhile you can also try using below steps and see if this helps:

        1. Open Services (services.msc).

        2. Double click/tap on the Windows Search service to open its properties page

        3. Select Disabled in the Startup type drop menu, and click/tap on Apply.

        4. Click/tap on Stop.

        5. When "Servicing status" shows as Stopped, click/tap on OK.

        D
        Daniel31537584kei2
        Participant
        August 3, 2024

        I have spent the last hour trying several recommendations to open a pdf from the local power company. I know they did not place a password on a document for a customer already signed in. And to remove security, get around password nothing works. I have tried the alternative pdf software companies and they are just rabbit holes to charge you more and more. Is that what Adobe has become. I am going to avoid pdfs like the plague from now on. 

         

        Souvik Sadhu
        Souvik Sadhu
        Legend
        October 15, 2024

        Hi @Daniel31537584kei2,

         

        Hope you are doing well. Sorry for your experience with Acrobat!

         

        When you mention removing the password, are you the file's creator? 

        If not, is it a form or a document created by an organization?

         

        Please share a screenshot of the Document Properties-> Properties & Security tab, which will help us understand the root cause of the issue and assist you accordingly.

         

        -Souvik

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