Acrobat never works.

[Fred-Clayjar]

When I click on Protect Document, all I get is a blank white square and nothing else. I can't password protect my documents.

I also can't add a signature to any documents either with similar results. Screen grays out and does nothing.

I just had to deal with it for years, but I pay money for a bugged application and it just sucks. Acrobat worked before I had to do the Adobe subscription service.

[Amal.]

Hi Fred,

Hope you are doing well and sorry for the trouble. As described you are unable to password protected and sign the PDF and get the blank white screen.

Is this a behavior with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs? Please try with a different PDF file and check. If the PDF is stored on a shared network/drive please download it to your computer first  and try again.

Would you mind sharing the version of the Adobe Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the application updated to the latest version 21.05.20048. Go to Help . Check for Updates and reboot the computer once.

Please try to turn off the protected mode for testing (Win Only) go to Edit > Preferences > Enhanced Security > Uncheck 'Enable Protedted mode at startup' Turn off the Protected mode and Uncheck 'Enhanced Security' > Click OK and reboot the computer once.               
Note: Please turn on the Security after testing to avoid any security risk.

If it doesn't work, please try to reset the Acrobat preferences to default https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat/how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-default/td-p/4792... and check.

You may also try to create a new test user profile with full admin rights on Windows or enable the root account on Mac and try using the application there and check.

Regards

Amal

[Fred-Clayjar]

The behaviors has happened with All PDFs no matter if it is on my hard drive or on an external hard drive. It started for more than a year. I have the most up to date Acrobat  version 21.05.20048.

Protected mode and ENhanced Security has always been unchecked.

I uninstalled it and reinstalled. I still can't protect a documemnt or sign it with a signature. I prefer my old Acrobat before I signed up with the Adobe Cloud back in 2019.

[Amal.]

Hi Fred,

We are sorry to hear that. Have you tried to create a new test user profile with full admin rights on Windows or enable the root account on Mac and try using the application there?

Regards

Amal

[Fred-Clayjar]

I did create a root account. Acrobat doesn't work on that either. I still can't protect my documents or add singatures. What the hell is going on? I am paying for something that doesn't work. Protecting a document is one of the most importatn things I need to do.

[Amal.]

Hi there,

We are sorry to hear that. Please make sure you have the appliucation updated to the new version 21.05.20058. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

Also, do you get any error message when you try to password protect or sign the PDF file? If yes please share the screenshot of the error message for a better understanding.

Regards

Amal

[Fred-Clayjar]

Updating Acrobat never helped this problem. Yes as I said before it is up to date.  No] error messages what so ever. When I try signature, the Acrobat screen just greys out and does nothing else. WHen I click protect document , a white box appears over a grey color and does nothing.

[try67]

Run a Repair Installation from the Help menu.

[M David157F]

I feel for you.  I've been struggling with the identical circumstances...have you found any solution?

[Amal.]

Hi there

As mentioned the screen greys out when you try to add the signature to the PDF files. Please go to Edit (Win), Adobe Acrobat (Mac) > Preferences > Signatures > Creation and Appearance click 'More' and uncheck 'Use modern user interface' > Click OK and reboot the application and see if that works for you.

Regards

Amal

[Fred-Clayjar]

Thanks, but "Use modern user interface' was always unchecked. Still doesn't work. Why is there no solution to such an expensive application? 

[Fred-Clayjar]

None whatsoever. No solution. This problem has plagued me for 4 years.

[Amal.]

Hi there

We are sorry to hear that the issue still exists. 

Please try to 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