Acrobat DC doesn't work with FileMaker after Windows and Adobe updates

Report · Jan 19, 2017

We are using Acrobat Pro DC on several computers in our company (both Windows 7 and 10). We also use FileMaker (versions 14 and 15) which has container fields that we place pdf files into. FileMaker displays the pdfs in the container fields using a combination of Internet Explorer and the default pdf viewer (Acrobat in our case). Last week after the Windows and Adobe updates we started getting this error:

"There is a problem with Adobe Acrobat/Reader. If it is running please exit and try again (9:9)."

and FileMaker crashes after hitting OK in the error message box.

I fixed a Windows 7 PC by disabling the Adobe Reader add-on in Internet Explorer. However, the Adobe Reader add-on does not show up in any of the Add-on lists when I go to Manage Add-Ons in Internet Explorer 11 on a Windows 10 PC. I uninstalled Acrobat, ran a registry cleaner, then reinstalled an older version of Acrobat DC and the pdfs in container fields show up in FileMaker until Acrobat updates and the error message comes back.

I contacted FileMaker tech support and they said it sounded like an Adobe issue, so they weren't much help.

Has anyone else had this FileMaker / Adobe issue? It sounds similar to the problems described in another thread https://forums.adobe.com/thread/2221850

Report · Jan 20, 2017

What is the version of Acrobat DC installed on your machine?

Report · Jan 20, 2017

Version 2015.006.30280.

I installed Adobe Reader in addition to Acrobat and the the reader add-on showed up in the Internet Explorer Manage Add-Ons list. I diabled the Reader add-on and now the pdf files will open from FileMaker. They don't show up in the container field of course, but the file opens in an instance of Acrobat. So its functional enough for our users to get their jobs done.

I am hopeful this 'fix' will last until the next round of updates at least.

Over the years, looking at the FileMaker forums and our own experience, Adobe and FileMaker have had several updates where this functionality has stopped working. It is very frustrating for developers.

Report · Apr 11, 2017

I'm curious if you ever found a real solution to this. I just had some clients update their Acrobat and I'm getting non-stop calls and emails about it.

Report · Nov 03, 2017

Same here. Client just had Adobe Acrobat 2017 Standard installed and now their system will not print to PDF's. Filemaker is picky about 32bit vs 64bit for application to application communication. I believe this is due to the plugins they use to communicate.

So if your client has Filemaker 64bit, Acrobat will need to be also from my understanding. At the moment I have not been able to login to this clients machine to troubleshoot to confirm it will fix it.

Report · Aug 06, 2020

I know this thread is old, but I just want to add an update that occured to me recently and my fix for it. Filemaker was showing the pdf in the container, but when you clicked print (The adobe container print icon, not the one under File>Print), nothing would happen. it was almost like the button had no action behind it. Pressing Ctrl+p would print the records, which isn't what we wanted. After several hours of trying fixes ranging from a few small settings changes, to completely uninstalling and reinstalling adobe acrobat, the printer, and filemaker 18, I found the fix.

In Adobe acrobat, go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) and uncheck the box that says "Enable Protected Mode at startup". It will give you a popup box, just click yes, and then you should be able to print again!

I know this issue is a bit diferent than the one you had so long ago, but this thread came up in my google search and if this thread pops up for anyone else, hopefully this will help.

Report · Sep 30, 2020

Thanks for taking the time to post this, even tho' quite old. I was having a problem with Adobe Reader DC (2020.012.20048) not printing documents created in Filemaker Pro Advanced 18. I ran Repair Installation from the Help menu and that seems to resolve the problem.

I had the same issue with Adobe Acrobat X. However the Repair Installation process did not resolve it. In bot the Reader and Acrobat, a workaround is to Print as Image from the Advanced Menu in Print.

I found a Claris Community thread pursuing this issue over a two year period. It does not appear to be resolved yet.

My problem was different from yours but I too hope this might help someone by posting.

Report · Oct 03, 2021

This is what is happening to me in fmp 18 the other problem I hav is that all the font changes in all the field to symbols (gobldygook). If I Re boot it restores to normal font. I have tried reinstalling it works for a while the boom off it goes gain not printing pdf ing and the font change . I will try a repair

Report · Jun 23, 2021

I installed the Filemaker 19.3.1 update that is available since today, and the issue seems to be resolved with this update.