Adobe Acrobat Pro DC failing to launch - A running instance of Acrobat has caused an error.

[SiegePerilous612]

We are seeing a recurring issue where users will try to open a PDF in Acrobat Pro or try to launch Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and it will not respond.

After several minutes, the following message appears:
A running instance of Acrobat has caused an error.  

Task manager shows a suspended Acrobat background process. 
We get users back up and running via killing the process, then repairing the install and having the user sign out and back in with their Adobe ID; but the issue recurrs without rhyme or reason.

I feel like we are spinning our tires with Adobe Support.  Our ticket has been escalated multiple times and is sitting with Adobe Engineering, but they have been very slow to respond and we need a resolution.

Has anyone here run into this issue?  Any ideas on resolution?

[Shar W · Accepted solution]

Same ... no help

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

The error occurs when an already launched instance of Acrobat is busy or in a hang state and you try to perform some operation from outside Acrobat, for example, opening a PDF file by double-clicking.

Please check out the steps shared in the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/failed-to-connect-to-dde-server.html and see if that works for you.

~Amal

[SiegePerilous612]

All of those steps have been attempted.  They do not resolve the issue.

[Shar W · Accepted solution]

Same ... no help

[Amal.]

Hi there

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 

~Amal

[BeKind2YourNeighbor · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I had similar issues and tried the steps in the following thread which seemed to have helped.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/adobe-acrobat-freezing-constantly/td-p/14308117

[reid_6446]

the "Correct answer by Jared35141547qmz3" in the referenced thread worked.

[SW @ solargik]

Everything I tried failed. Everything Adobe support tried failed. Obviously ending the running Acrobat instances, uninstall, deep uninstall, and Clearing registry included.

What eventually solved it was resetting my PC - a clean install of the OS. Extremely painful way to solve a problem.

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[ZakiyaO1959]

Sorry, there is no solution here but I have the same problem and have gone through the same troubleshooting methods. I haven't contacted support, but I see from your experience that it would be a waste of time.

[Amal.]

Hi there

What is the version of the OS and the Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 24.02.20759 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

Also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and see if that works.

Please try to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/how-to-reset-acrobat-preference-settings-to-defau...

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

~Amal

[Mary36090633nndg]

Did you find a solution for 'A running instance of Acrobat has caused an error' issue?

[Jacob Bozdas]

I am having the same issue. I've tried everything and have wasted way too much time trying your suggestions! 

Has Adobe found a permanent solution yet??

[Amal.]

Hi there

Please go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/failed-to-connect-to-dde-server.html and see if that works.

~Amal

[levi_7831]

After fighting this for about a week, this method finally worked for me

Someone posted in this threadHow to reset Acrobat Preference settings to defaul... - Adobe Community - 4792082

[SW @ solargik]

I spent ages with Adobe support to "solve" the problem, including clearing certificates, registry and something else that I have forgotten. And this morning the problem is back!

After over 6 months since the problem first appeared, I expect better! 

[Vratislav39042083e8xk]

I have a same problem. Tried everything mentioned here, but nothing helps. Solution is to switch to some acrobat alternative. 

[SW @ solargik]

I have just discovered the source of my problem - because Acrobat crashed again. This time I had just re-installed an addon required to access certain locked files (ISO standards), which had been installed before we reset my PC . So uninstalling that addon solved my problem.

In my case at least, this problem is apparently caused by addons that didn't update and are no longer compatible. Unfortunately this means that I no longer have access to vital data that I paid for!

[CandidlySmith]

There are many threads on this issue.  In no case is a solution offered by Adobe that works.  Still no definitive solutions as of August 23, 2025.  I think it's time for me to look to alternatives to Adobe for managing PDF files.  This is just plain poor business practices on Adobe's part, in my opinion.

[ed_6491]

Same problem, 

[shuang_1473]

Same problem too and defalt fix from Acrobat https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/failed-to-connect-to-dde-server.html?x-product=Helpx%2F1.0.0&x-pr... not working