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Steve Kellaway
Participating Frequently
March 30, 2023
Answered

Adobe Acrobat DC Crashes on Startup/Launch: Proven Fixes and Troubleshooting Guide

  • March 30, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 15140 views

Hi, 

I am running Windows 11, have a fresh install of Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Acrobat. When I open any PDF or just open acrobat it crashes after a few seconds without an error message.

 

I have uninstalled both Acrobat & Creative Cloud, run the cleaner, rebooted, reinstalled and the same issue occurs.

 

Can someone please help, I need acrobat for work?

 

This is the error information I retrieved from the Event Viewer...

 

Faulting application name: adobe_licensing_wf_acro.exe, version: 1.6.0.4, time stamp: 0x63e4c749
Faulting module name: NahimicOSD.dll, version: 2.2.23.0, time stamp: 0x61b7fd89
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x0000000000014aa0
Faulting process id: 0x0x1D50
Faulting application start time: 0x0x1D962B285B9122B
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat DC\Acrobat\NGL\cefWorkflow\adobe_licensing_wf_acro.exe
Faulting module path: C:\ProgramData\A-Volute\A-Volute.28054DF1F58B4\Modules\ScheduledModules\x64\NahimicOSD.dll
Report Id: d48f7c54-7694-48c5-9fb1-057af8d5791a
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

 

Correct answer Bani Verma
Welcome to the Acrobat Community

Is your Adobe Acrobat crashing, freezing, or not opening when you launch it? These proven solutions resolve most startup errors on Windows and macOS, including issues after updates, activation problems, compatibility conflicts, and installation errors.

How to Fix Acrobat or Reader Crash at Startup

The following steps provide guidance for resolving this error across various scenarios. Please review and follow them accordingly:

 

Scenario 1: Acrobat/Reader Crashes Immediately After Launch 
You double-click the Acrobat or Reader icon, but the program closes instantly or displays a crash error message. This occurs every time you attempt to open the application, regardless of the PDF you use.

 

Solution:

  1. Update Acrobat/Reader
    • Open the application.
    • Go to Help > Check for Updates and install any available updates. Learn more.
  2. Repair the Installation
    • Open Acrobat/Reader.
    • Go to Help > Repair Installation 

 

Scenario 2: Acrobat/Reader Won’t Open After Windows Update (Including Windows 11 24H2)
After updating Windows, Acrobat or Reader fails to launch, or you see errors like “Application could not start correctly.” This may occur after major Windows updates or upgrades.


Solution:

  1. Compatibility Mode for Windows 11 24H2
    • Right-click the Acrobat/Reader icon
    • Go to Properties > Compatibility
    • Set compatibility to Windows 8
  2. Disable Protected Mode (Windows Only)

 

Scenario 3: Acrobat/Reader Freezes or Is Not Responding at Startup
Acrobat may open but become unresponsive within a few seconds, freeze on a blank screen, stop responding before the interface fully loads, hang at the splash screen, or open a PDF and then immediately stop accepting any clicks.

 

Solution:

  1. Repair the Installation
    • Open Acrobat/Reader.
    • Go to Help > Repair Installation.
  2. Run as Administrator (Windows Only)
    • Right-click the Acrobat/Reader icon and select Run as administrator

 

Scenario 4: Acrobat/Reader Crashes Due to Security or Antivirus Conflicts
Acrobat Reader crashes immediately when you open any PDF downloaded from email or the internet. The crash pop-up appears even before the document loads. Sometimes, security settings or antivirus programs interfere with Acrobat’s startup.

 

Solution:

  1. Turn off Protected Mode (Windows Only)
  2. Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus software and test launching Acrobat/Reader.

 

Scenario 5: Acrobat/Reader Crashes on Mac After System Update
After updating macOS or migrating data from an older Mac, Acrobat or Acrobat Reader starts crashing immediately on launch or when opening specific tools (Edit PDF, Organize Pages, Combine Files, etc.).

 

Solution:

  1. Clean Uninstall and Reinstall
    • Download and run the Adobe Cleaner Tool to remove previous installations
    • Uninstall Acrobat/Reader
    • Restart your computer
  2. Download and install the latest version

If problems persist 

 

Hope that helped! If you’re still facing issues, drop a reply with more details, we’re here to help. 😊

 

If this solution helped you! Don’t forget to upvote the post so it’s easier for others to find.

If you’ve tried a different workaround, please share it with us, your tip might be just what someone else needs.

4 replies

Bani Verma
Community Manager
Bani VermaCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
November 19, 2025
Welcome to the Acrobat Community

Is your Adobe Acrobat crashing, freezing, or not opening when you launch it? These proven solutions resolve most startup errors on Windows and macOS, including issues after updates, activation problems, compatibility conflicts, and installation errors.

How to Fix Acrobat or Reader Crash at Startup

The following steps provide guidance for resolving this error across various scenarios. Please review and follow them accordingly:

 

Scenario 1: Acrobat/Reader Crashes Immediately After Launch 
You double-click the Acrobat or Reader icon, but the program closes instantly or displays a crash error message. This occurs every time you attempt to open the application, regardless of the PDF you use.

 

Solution:

  1. Update Acrobat/Reader
    • Open the application.
    • Go to Help > Check for Updates and install any available updates. Learn more.
  2. Repair the Installation
    • Open Acrobat/Reader.
    • Go to Help > Repair Installation 

 

Scenario 2: Acrobat/Reader Won’t Open After Windows Update (Including Windows 11 24H2)
After updating Windows, Acrobat or Reader fails to launch, or you see errors like “Application could not start correctly.” This may occur after major Windows updates or upgrades.


Solution:

  1. Compatibility Mode for Windows 11 24H2
    • Right-click the Acrobat/Reader icon
    • Go to Properties > Compatibility
    • Set compatibility to Windows 8
  2. Disable Protected Mode (Windows Only)

 

Scenario 3: Acrobat/Reader Freezes or Is Not Responding at Startup
Acrobat may open but become unresponsive within a few seconds, freeze on a blank screen, stop responding before the interface fully loads, hang at the splash screen, or open a PDF and then immediately stop accepting any clicks.

 

Solution:

  1. Repair the Installation
    • Open Acrobat/Reader.
    • Go to Help > Repair Installation.
  2. Run as Administrator (Windows Only)
    • Right-click the Acrobat/Reader icon and select Run as administrator

 

Scenario 4: Acrobat/Reader Crashes Due to Security or Antivirus Conflicts
Acrobat Reader crashes immediately when you open any PDF downloaded from email or the internet. The crash pop-up appears even before the document loads. Sometimes, security settings or antivirus programs interfere with Acrobat’s startup.

 

Solution:

  1. Turn off Protected Mode (Windows Only)
  2. Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus software and test launching Acrobat/Reader.

 

Scenario 5: Acrobat/Reader Crashes on Mac After System Update
After updating macOS or migrating data from an older Mac, Acrobat or Acrobat Reader starts crashing immediately on launch or when opening specific tools (Edit PDF, Organize Pages, Combine Files, etc.).

 

Solution:

  1. Clean Uninstall and Reinstall
    • Download and run the Adobe Cleaner Tool to remove previous installations
    • Uninstall Acrobat/Reader
    • Restart your computer
  2. Download and install the latest version

If problems persist 

 

Hope that helped! If you’re still facing issues, drop a reply with more details, we’re here to help. 😊

 

If this solution helped you! Don’t forget to upvote the post so it’s easier for others to find.

If you’ve tried a different workaround, please share it with us, your tip might be just what someone else needs.

S
scott_1283
Participant
August 21, 2024

Same issue!

Ended up being that i was already logged into 2 other devices.

Go to manage your account and log out of all other devices.

    T
    Tu4n3r
    Participant
    October 7, 2024

    Indeed this is the good answer !

     

    Acrobat don't ask to disconnect another computer. I launched another app (Photoshop for exemple) I got the message to disconnect another computer, did it, then I launch Acrobat and all is working fine !

      M
      mystical_detail1710
      Participant
      March 11, 2025

      This is what finally fixed it for me.

      1
      1strail
      Participant
      December 9, 2023

      Same problem, but nothing worked.  Ran cleaner, installed from provided link.  I found another thread where one user ran DC in compatibility mode, (must use Windows 7).  That got me to a sign in screen and everything worked.  Interestingly, I went back and turned off compatibility mode and. It still worked.

        S
        seve7
        Participant
        December 11, 2023

        This.  What a piece of trash software.  Did the reccommended procedure of hack software uninstalling and seperate app to manage the adobe crap, nothing worked.  Ran it in compatibility for windows 7, was able to transfer a license and activate then turn off compatibility mode, a ridiculous procedure, but they make sure the software that runs the billing actually works.

          T
          Twan154A
          Participant
          April 18, 2024

          Hero!!

            AkanchhaS8194121
            AkanchhaS8194121
            Legend
            March 31, 2023

            Hi @Steve Kellaway 

             

            Thank you for sharing the details.

            The error message is not quite clear here, so we'd proceed with a couple of basic troubleshooting steps:

            1- Once again, run this cleaner tool to remove the existing installer and application’s file traces:

            https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html

            2-  Once done, keep the creative cloud desktop closed and do not open it.

            3- Download the Acrobat installer from here:  

            https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html 

            Did it help? If not, create a hidden admin account on your system and launch Acrobat. 

             

            Thanks,

            Akanchha

              S
              Steve KellawayAuthor
              Participating Frequently
              March 31, 2023

              Thank you Akanchha, I was trying to reinstall it through Adobe Cloud, installing it directly from the link you suggested did the trick. Thank you.

              AkanchhaS8194121
              AkanchhaS8194121
              Legend
              April 11, 2023

              Sounds great @Steve Kellaway 

              Thanks for sharing the update. Let us know if there's any further assistance is required.

               

              ~Akanchha 

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