Inspiring

Answered

Acrobat DC extremely slow and often "not responding" for 30 seconds

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
June 30, 2022
17 replies
96937 views

For approximately the past two months, Acrobat DC reports "not responding" for about 20 to 30 seconds when I open it. This happens again when I open any PDF document (even one with just a single page). It happens again when I select any of the tools (Edit, Combine, Organize, etc). It also happens when I try to drag or rezize the application window.

Machine Resources:
Processor 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-11950H @ 2.60GHz 2.61 GHz
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.7 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 21H2
OS build 22000.739
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22000.739.0

The post acrobat-dc-extreme-slow-on-windows-10/m-p/12118085 points to how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-default/td-p/4792082 with instructions to clear %appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\[version], so I presume this would be C:\Users\willi\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\ on my computer.

I renamed the directory and restarted Acrobat. Performance improved slightly. The "not responding" periods are now about 15 seconds. Still unacceptable.

The next step is then described here: cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html.

I ran the log collector tool. AdobeLogs_20220630_111841_237-win-GS.zxp in in a LogCollector directory on the Desktop.
No files are pending upload.
"Close Adobe Desktop Service and Core Sync in Task manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS)."
Neither of these is listed on the Task Manager's Processes tab, nor are they on the Services tab. I cannot proceed with this step.

Being unable to perform step #3, I have not continued.

Is anybody else seeing this problem? Has anyone managed to resolve it? Thanks!

Correct answer mshubert

ANSWER UPDATE

In my previous answer (from 2022), I said to uncheck "enable protected mode at startup." It appears this is not necessary—okay to leave that enabled. Rather, it appears that PROTECTED VIEW is the culprit. Set PROTECTED VIEW to Off.

Here is more information about that setting from Adobe: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/using/protected-mode-windows.html

M

mediaura

Participant

I encourage Adobe Acrobat to have a menu context item allowing me to selectively open untrusted PDF in protected view while having my default as normal viewing.

B

brian_8796

Participant

I disabled enhanced security and Adobe Reader responded very well. Before that, opening an one page document took 30 seconds and every mouse click initiated another 30 second wait. Windows 11, I9 14th generation processor, 32 gig ram. All other programs on the machine run very well.

T

Tony7896

Participant

I had the same problem, and this fixed it instantly! Thank you!

M

mshubertCorrect answer

Participant

ANSWER UPDATE

In my previous answer (from 2022), I said to uncheck "enable protected mode at startup." It appears this is not necessary—okay to leave that enabled. Rather, it appears that PROTECTED VIEW is the culprit. Set PROTECTED VIEW to Off.

Here is more information about that setting from Adobe: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/using/protected-mode-windows.html

hansfordsusan

Participating Frequently

Hi- I have been experiencing Adobe Acrobat running extrmely slow and cannot use any of the above answers that helped other people- (I did finally find a solution that worked! Go to "Security (Enhanced)" in Preferences and uncheck the "Enable Protected Mode at startup" and set "Protected View" to "Off." ) BECAUSE I am running Mac OS Big Sur and there is NO Enable Protected Mode NOR Protected View in my Acrobat Preferences under Security or Security Enhanced!!!

Does anyone have an answer for this extremely slow running Acrobat running on Mac OS?????

hansfordsusan

Participating Frequently

P.S. I have "Enable Enhanced Security" turned off and have had it off for years.

G

grippybananas12

Participant

I see on list of known issues https://helpx.adobe.com/sg/acrobat/kb/known-issues-acrobat-dc-reader.html, this is included:

Performance
Problem: [Windows 11 only] Minor performance degradation when the application is first launched. [4337296]

What is the current update for a fix? I've tried disabling Protected Mode and Enhanced Security to no avail. Performed clean reinstall with Revo Uninstaller and AcroCleaner. Does not fix the freezing upon opening.

D

dXine

Participating Frequently

Afternoon. Same problem here, for months, or is it years already. Thank you. Reading through all the solutions, some work partially, until the next upgrade in two days.

@Adobe, Please create a toned down or minimalistic version of Acrobat DC that does not have to load all the bells, whistles, and errors with the software. It is almost worthwhile not having a subscription and just running Acrobat Reader, or changing to something entirely different.

All the stuff you are building into your applications is remarkable, and sporadically, I love playing on all the bells and whistles. However, some people just need a basic system to send proofs and documents to clients and back, without having to upload everything to Adobe Cloud, or having to continuously switch it off, running AI or all the other functions. I definitely don't want my confidential work on Adobe cloud hanging about.

If nothing else, at least include an option to run it in Sandbox mode with none of the optional tools included, apart from the ones you want to include in your application, where no constant internet connection is required.

Furthermore, not everybody has superfast internet or has superfast computers and laptops with all the latest specs and memory digits and graphic cards attached to it. Running at 16G memory and a memory card, and Adobe's connectivity requirements, still slows everything down. The memory is not the issue here, the connectivity is in an urban area.

The constant need for connectivity from Adobe applications makes the workflow slow, sluggish and frustrating, and exceptionally heavy on system resources. Verify licenses and release your grip on system resources so that work can get done, instead of watching adobe icons spinning into oblivion endlessly for 5 to 10 minutes, every time you need to create a PDF to send out on email.

Bring Freehand MX back, and charge less if you need to, and a simple basic Acrobat Reader with some minor editing and form filling tools, without all the other baggage.

A

Adam231076108q7d

Participant

I'm still having the exact same issue even when turning off protected mode... memory usages are fine until I open up certain PDF drawings.

Manuel De Jesus

Participant

Go to Security (enhanced) unchecked Enable protectected mode at startup then go to folder at c:\program files\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat. Then right click acrobat then click compatibility then click change settings for all users. Select compatibility mode windows 8 and click Run this program as administrator click apply then ok. Now it should be fast.

B

Ben348629319t6p

Participant

Good to see it's not just me. I run a MacBook Pro 2022 model so not slow by any means and acrobat has been having all the issues you're describing here for months. Drives me mad. Can only trust Adobe engineers are working on it and will have a fix asap if it's effecting so many people!

chappz180

Inspiring

Hey Ben, there is a confusing amount of correct answers in this thread.. So just checking, did you try this one a few comments up?

Im pasting here for you. This worked wonders for me, but i'm on Windows 11. Fingers crossed that it works for you man.

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@mshubert

Whoever said "this is apparently a problem nobody else sees" is absolutely bonkers. When trying to find a fix, it is obvious this issue is EXTREMELY common!!!

Anyway, I tried all the solutions I could find (cleaner tool, repair, uninstall/reinstall, etc) and NOTHING worked. Every single PDF I opened took forever to open.

I did finally find a solution that worked! Go to "Security (Enhanced)" in Preferences and uncheck the "Enable Protected Mode at startup" and set "Protected View" to "Off."

J

Jodie345716027092

Participant

I too have been having this problem with Adobe and have done all the diagnostics trying to see if it is my problem but it is now looking like its Adobes problem. ADOBE - FIX THE PROBLEM!!!!! WE ARE PAYING FOR THIS PROGRAM TO RUN CORRECTLY.

V

vikingnm

Participant

Thank you, i've had this problem for a while and nothing was working for me either. I did have the protected mode radio button off but toggled the protected mode at startup checkbox at the top (which didn't show up before) a few times and that seems to do the trick

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