Serial number already in use

[J_253]

Hi Adobe team,

I have an Adobe Acrobat perpetual liscence that I want to register to my account and install on my new laptop; however it comes up with the error serial number already in use. Old installations have been deactivated. I read from similar posts that I'll need to get Adobe support to reset my applications but there doesn't seem to be any way to contact Adobe. The phone line doesn't have support for Acrobat and the chat simply doesn't work.

Any advise would be appreciated.

[kglad · Accepted solution]

Note: Post edited by Admins 

(These are user forums, not the Adobe team)

If you purchased from or registered with Adobe (and you remember the Adobe ID used), you can reset the activations yourself using your https://account.adobe.com

Otherwise, Adobe Support requests an activation count reset (only). Ask for nothing else, or you'll be sent back here.

There are 3 ways to contact Adobe: Chat, Phone, and Twitter:

1. Chat: Use a browser that allows popups and cookies, and use this link here: helpx.adobe.com/contact.html in the chat field (lower right), and type AGENT. Be patient; it can take quite a while to reach a human.
2. Phone: helpx.adobe.com/contact/phone.html
3.  Twitter: tweet @AdobeCare
   
   P.S.: If you're contacted by anyone (via email or private message), it's much more likely to be a scammer than an Adobe representative. i.e., double check for an employee badge if contacted in the forums, and look for an adobe.com domain in the email address if you click reply to an email. Then check again and be very suspicious. Any other method of contacting (or offering to contact you) is almost certainly a scam. https://community.adobe.com/t5/using-the-community-discussions/staying-safe-in-the-adobe-support-com...

[Mike36388788m0n2]

This won't work.  I spent almost three hours with support only to be told they deleted all their servers when the discontinued support for the product.  They can't do anything but offer you a discount on a subscription.  Good luck all.

[kglad]

that's an old post . things have changed recently.

what acrobat version you trying to activate and what error message do you see?

[Guest]

I've been told pretty much the same thing this month trying to get the activation counter reset for my CS5. So it seems nothing much has changed unless you know different. I've also tried to get the licence number associated with my adobe account and it says serial number already in use.

[kglad]

your only option is to use a computer that has or had your acrobat serial number activated.

if that exists you can deactivate using that computer and restore one of your activations.

[Guest]

I did that and successfully deactivated on my ropy old laptop with it connected to the internet, but then it would not let me reinstall and activate on the new computer. This is what prompted my online chat with customer service who pretty much told me what is in the thread above - support discontinued, servers no longer there, very sorry nothing we can do ... and tried to sell me a discounted subscription.

[kglad]

cs5 servers are still active.

but apparently your computer didn't connect even though it was online.

[Guest]

Is contact Adobe.Tech@outlook.com a scam by any chance.

[kglad]

100% scam.

don't even reply to that email.

[Guest]

Too late. Just going to cut my losses and delete the accounts. What a pain.

[kglad]

did they get your serial number or any financial info?

[Guest]

I gave them the serial number, not that it is of any use as it can't be activated, though this means its never going to be able to be now - as I'm clearly an idiot. Ho hum.

I'm not quite daft enough to give any finactial info.

[kglad]

sorry about that on top of everything else.

[Mike Elliyoun]

Adobe is acting like a gangester and pushing users which alreday purchased a licsens - to buy subscription! Ugh....

[epic_Wish5905]

Lools likde Adobe is pushing people to pirate their software, I have paid for their software, now it is frozen to an old unusable device, they leave me no choice - good luck on your revenue lol.

[Mike Elliyoun]

And the new verion (cloud base - subscripton) is garbage, it's frozing and hanging frequqntly; you vcan not move pictures easily or edit text like previous verision. Ugh...

[kglad]

@Mike Elliyoun 

if you want help with that, what app?

[Mike Elliyoun]

Bluebeam. I'm just going to cancel my subscription with Adobe

[kglad]

bluebeam isn't an adobe app.

[Mike Elliyoun]

If you read my comment more closely, you will realize that I have clearly stated am going to cancel my subscription with your new cloud version (Adobe Professional) due to all errors which I have listed above and switch to a more appropriate tools or App like Bluebeam. Adobe is becoming a piece of garbage now

[epic_Wish5905]

Yep, they have lost yet another customer, never will I pay them for anything ever again, I will find alternative routes 🙂