Acrobat DC keeps freezing

[mrbrigham]

In the past week our whole team has suffered through Acrobat DC "Not Responding" (WIN 10). It opens and then freezes just after scrolling for 3 seconds or so - whether we scroll or not. It freezes up. Some have had success uninstalling and reinstalling. What say you?

Thank you!

[Amal.]

Hi mrbrigham

We are sorry for the delay in response. I hope you would be able to fix it by now. 

If the issue still persists, we need some more information for a better understanding

• Is this a behavior with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs? Please try with a different PDF file and check.
• Are you on a personal network or on a company domain? Please try to switch the network and download the file to the computer locally and check.
• For testing purposes, please try to turn off the protected mode. Go to Edit (Windows), Adobe Acrobat / Reader DC (Mac) > Preferences > Enhanced Security  > Turn Off the Protected Mode and Uncheck the Enhanced Security and reboot the computer and check.
  Note: Please turn on the security after testing.
• Try to Add file and Folder to the Whitelist of Acrobat / Reader DC. Go to Edit (Windows), Adobe Acrobat / Reader DC (Mac) > Preferences > Enhanced Security  > Add File and  Add Folder path > Click OK

Also, make sure you have the latest version 20.006.20042 installed. Go to Help > Check for Updates.

Let us know how it goes. 

Regards

Amal

[Amal.]

Hi there

A new update for Adobe Acrobat/Reader DC is now available v20.009.20063. Please update the application to the new version. Go to Help > Check for Updates. You may also download the patch manually from the link (https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotesDC/index.html)and see if that helps.

Also, if you are using the dual monitor setup, please refer to the steps provided in the help article (https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/dual-monitor-crash-windows.html)

Let us know how it goes

Regards

Amal

[Amal.]

Hi there

A new update for Adobe Acrobat/Reader DC is now available v20.009.20063. Please update the application to the new version. Go to Help > Check for Updates. You may also download the patch manually from the link (https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotesDC/index.html)and see if that helps.

Also, if you are using the dual monitor setup, please refer to the steps provided in the help article (https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/dual-monitor-crash-windows.html)

Let us know how it goes

Regards

Amal

[hy7at]

Version 2021.007.20099

Freeze happens some seconds after every start of Acrobat DC with every PDF file, even when startin the app without PDF file.

I'm on a local computer with internet access without network.

When turning off the Protected Mode everything runs smooth without freezes again.
I don't have to uncheck "Enhanced Security" and can leave it checked and it works.

Can I use Acrobat DC without Protected Mode?
If not, how can I use PDF file in the meantime, until an update fixes the freeze?

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well, for more information about the protected mode please check the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/protected-mode-troubleshooting-reader.html

Regards

Amal

[christophn1038694]

Yes protected mode is freezing Reader here as well. Disabling it solved it.

[Amal.]

Hi there

Please go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/protected-mode-troubleshooting-reader.html and see if that works.

Regards

Amal

[Joe27064999fn13]

I cannot get the program to run long enough without freezing to disable Protected Mode. 

[Amal.]

Hi @Joe27064999fn13 

We are sorry to hear that.

Please remove the application using the Acrobat cleaner tool https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html , reboot the computer once and reinstall the application using the link https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html

Regards

Amal

[Ed5CF7]

I have the same issues with a Windows 8.1 machine.  I have 2021.001.20145 release of acrobat reader DC. I have uninstalled, rebooted, re-installed and rebooted.  I open the app and as soon as I click in the app window it freezes and I have to close it with the Task Manager. I am runnig the same version  of this app on a windows 10 system with no issues (so far anyway). Both machines are 64bit.

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and sorry for the trouble. Please try to Turn off the protected mode for testing (Windows Only) Go to Edit > Preferences > Enhanced Security > Uncheck 'Enable Protected mode at start up' turn off the protected mode and Uncheck 'Enhanced Security ' > Click OK and reboot the computer once. 
Note: Please turn on the security aftertesting to avoid any security risks.

If it still doesn't work, create a new test user profile with full admin rights on Win 8.1 and try using the application there and check

Hope it will help

Regards

Amal

[Larry5FEE · Accepted solution]

I had the same problem in Windows 8.1 and I had to deselect Run this program as an administrator in the file properties Compatibility tab in addition to the Enhanced Security changes that Amal mentions above. Doing both is what worked for me.

[AboveAllConsultants]

My Acrobat DC keeps freezing and sometimes stays frozen. I have to restart my computer and I lose all of my work. 

[Amal.]

Hi there

We are sorry to hear that

Would you mind sharing the version of the OS and the Acrobat DC application you are using? To check the version go to Help > Aboput Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 21.07.20099 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer.

Also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and check.

Also pleaase go through the help pages listed below

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/troubleshoot-system-errors-freezes-mac.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/troubleshoot-system-errors-freezes-windows.html

Regards

Amal

[NateFilion · Accepted solution]

I've been having the same issue since the 2022 update. I'm seeing the same issue on several installs at my job. Acrobat will basically become unresponsive for 3-10 seconds after startup. Doesn't matter if it's opening a document or starting Acrobat DC directly. 

It appears to be related to a user check as the program becomes responsive after I see the user icon update in the top right corner. 

I tried turning off protected mode and it does fix the issue. I have already tried repairing the install and also completely uninstalling acrobat and then re-installing. The issue comes back.

I'd prefer not to leave protected mode off since you stated earlier to turn it back on. I especially don't want to do this on my work computers.

Thanks,

Nathan

I'm currently using version 22.1.20117.0

[AboveAllConsultants]

Thanks Nathan, I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my cry for
help. I have turned off the protected mode and it fixed it for me as well.

I am currently on version: 22.1.20117

Thank you,

Cindy Lawrence

[P.I Removed by Moderator]

[E. Morgan]

7/23/2022 - same here; mine doesn't even wait the three seconds; it begins to open then immediately closes; i DESPERATELY need it to work...ugh!

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that.

Please remove the application using the Acrobat cleaner tool https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html, reboot the computer and reinstall the application using the direct link https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html

Regards

Amal

[andydialect]

It's next to unusable now. 2022 update. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling several time. No joy. Looks like its some background task you've made it do. It's that bad i've had to resort to making Microsoft Edge my default PDF viewer (until you fix)!  

[newyellow]

Same here, and it not only freezing on start but keeps freezing every 10 sec. It's totally unusable now.

[newyellow]

BTW, this is my system info. And I'm using version 2022.003.20263

[Amal.]

Hi @newyellow 

We are sorry to hear that.

Have you tried to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-defau... also please try to create a new test user profile with full admin rights in Window and try using the application there and check.

You may also try to turn off the protected mode for testing. Go to Edit > Preferences > Enhanced Security > Uncheck "Enable protected mode at startup " Turn off the protected mode and Uncheck Enhanced Security > Click OK and reboot the computer.
Note: Please turn on the security after testing to avoid any security risk.

Regards

Amal

[Stanley Christmas]

This fixes the problem

Solved: Adobe Reader freezes after opening a document - Adobe Support Community - 3903334

Just scroll down and find the reply from Knote.

It was happening to me under Windows 11 with Adobe Acrobat Pro (64-bit) 2022.003.20282

I added registery entries mentions and it immediately stopped.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\2015\FeatureLockDown

               Name Type                                                                           Data

               bToggleAdobeDocumentServices      REG_DWORD       0x00000001 (1)

               bToggleAdobeSign                              REG_DWORD       0x00000001 (1)

               bTogglePrefSync                                  REG_DWORD       0x00000001 (1)

               bUpdater                                               REG_DWORD        0x00000000 (0)

[HildaTsui]

I have the same problem with Macbook Pro. I tried to reinstall and the Acrobat cleaner tool, but nothing works

[Amal.]

Hi @HildaTsui 

We are sorry to hear that. Please go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/troubleshoot-system-errors-freezes-mac.html and see if that works.

Regards

Amal