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Fred-Clayjar
Known Participant
July 2, 2021
Question

Acrobat never works.

  • July 2, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 3003 views

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.

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    1 reply

    Amal.
    Community Manager
    Amal.Community Manager
    Community Manager
    July 2, 2021

    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/4792082 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

    F
    Fred-ClayjarAuthor
    Known Participant
    July 4, 2021

    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.
    Community Manager
    Amal.Community Manager
    Community Manager
    December 16, 2021

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


    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

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