OCR: Unknown error

[default026tsmqpfqik]

Hello,

Recently I have been getting this "Unknown error" message when I try to do OCR on a PDF:

This happens on every page of the document, and I've tried it with a very wide variety of PDFs from different sources to no avail. Some solutions I have attempted from previous threads about this issue:

• delete Acrobat and reinstall
• close Acrobat, delete preferences folder, and restart
• print document as PDF and try the new version
• convert to Word document and use Word to convert back to PDF

None of the above have worked. Appreciate any attempts to help.

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that. As described, you get unknow error when running OCR on the PDF

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 recent version 21.07.20099 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

Also please go through the help page https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/error-could-perform-recognition-acrobat.html and see if that works for you.

Regards

Amal

[default026tsmqpfqik]

Hi Amal,

Thanks for the response. I am using Acrobat DC 2021.007.20099, and the program says no updates are available.

I also tried the method of converting to a TIFF, but I received an identical error message. I've tried this with many different PDFs, so I don't think it's an issue with the documents themselves.

[Amal.]

Hi there,

Since you have the recent version of the application, please try to create a new test user profile with full admin rights in Windows or enable the root account in MAC and try using the application there and check.

Regards

Amal

[benjamin_9785]

I have the same issue. Did you find a solution? Can anyone provide detailed steps for how to follow Amal's suggestion to make a "test user profile with full admin rights." I am on a Windows OS.

[benjamin_9785]

I have 64 bit 24.003.20180 installed.

[blanc_2819]

Hi,

Unfortunately, I was unable to ever resolve this due to the vague error message. I also no longer have an Acrobat Pro license. Hopefully you can find some solution, but if you need something urgently I'd suggest using an online or open-source OCR tool.