can not add password - bad parameter error message

[snazzy23]

I have been using add Protect Using Password function for a long time, and suddenly today everytime I try to do it I get an error message saying: 

The document could not be saved. Bad parameter.

I haven't changed anything, but when I open my PDFs I now see the blue signature bar across the top of the documents - also new. I have been following the same procedure for a long time, so no idea what has changed or how to fix it and have urgent documents that can't be sent without a password.

Thanks for any assistance you can give!

[AkanchhaS]

Hi Snazzy,

The “Bad Parameter” error occurs when Acrobat finds some problem with the underlying structure of the tags in the PDF file. Does it happen with one specific document upon adding password protection or having this in common?

Make sure you have got the latest patch installed for Acrobat DC. Version 20.012.20043 had a fix for it.  https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotesDC/index.html

You can try the Solution: 1 given in this help article https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/bad-parameter-while-deleting-pages-in-acrobat.html created for the similar error in different scenario.

Hope this works.

Thanks,

Akanchha

[snazzy23]

Hi Akanchha,

Thank you for the reply. It happens with all documents, not just one. I am updated to the version you noted, and I tried the solutions in the article you provided but the same error still occurs.

One thing I did notice that is different is that at the top of my PDFs a blue bar appears for the documents that I can’t add passwords to – it is a signature panel. This is new, I’ve been doing these forms for quite some time and this bar only just started appearing the other day and aligns with the password error message. How can I disable this blue signature panel bar? I think that will solve the problem?

[AkanchhaS]

Hey!

Sorry I missed your response. Can you share the screenshot of that signature panel appear at the top?

~Akanchha