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CMeisinger
New Participant
May 4, 2011
Answered

Acrobat failed to connect to DDE Server

  • May 4, 2011
  • 14 replies
  • 439283 views

I have a user who is unable to open any PDF's using Acrobat Reader X he has the latest version and is using Wind

ows XP SP3.  When he tries to open any PDF he gets the error "Acrobat failed to connect to

DDE Server" any help with this is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Chris

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer CMeisinger

Thanks David,

I did check the file associations and did a repair and uninstall/re-install and nothing worked but it turned out to be an issue with turning on a security policy in Symantec Endpoint that was causing Adobe to not open so I had to remove that policy in order for Adobe to work again.

Thanks,

Chris

14 replies

Show previous replies
W
waltermouse
New Participant
December 10, 2011

I have just today begun having the same problem. Adobe Reader X on Win 7 pro 64bit SP1

Can't be Symantec. I use MS Essentials security.

Can't make any changes via Adobe Reader, either, because it won't open -- even when I try to launch directly from the target EXE file.

This is making a LOT of PDFs unreadable and I am not happy.

F
Florian_Wolf
New Participant
September 15, 2011

Disabling the NAC wasn't the solution for my DDE server error.

The adobe support hotline told me to have a look at the folder permissions. All looks like it should be at my servers.

Anybody else here having another idea?

A
Anonymous
September 15, 2011

I just got an Adobe upgrade and the problem has gone. What the...!

C
CMeisingerAuthor
New Participant
September 15, 2011

Was it just the usual upgrades that happen from time to time?  If so then good!

A
Anonymous
September 4, 2011

I started to get  the same problem today.

I tried the <shift> "open with..." Doesn't work.

I think Adobe should provide an answer immediately. Most of my files are in Acrobat!!

    Helen Wei
    Helen Wei
    New Participant
    April 24, 2015

    Hi, artanksame issues here. I did repair install, and it still can not open a PDF file.  I use Adobe Acrobat XI Pro. It show an error message as " Adobe failed to connect to a DDE server". Even Adobe "LiveCycle Designer ES4 has the same error message. they all works good before.  The DDE server causes many adobe PDF application not work.  Please help! I have many projects need to be done.

    G
    GambyBrenda
    New Participant
    December 18, 2015

    I need help with this as well.  Every time I update, this problem occurs.  I've used a plugin fix before but I can't find what I need online.  Why is this always a problem with updates?

    dave_m_k
    dave_m_k
    Brainiac
    May 9, 2011

    Good day Chris,

    I'm not sure if you're having diffuculty w/ Acrobat or w/ Reader.  Regardless, this issue is most commonly related to file associations.

    As the user to do the following:

    1. Locate a PDF on the system via Search (any PDF will do)
    2. Hold down the Shift key and right-click the PDF file > Select 'Open with..'
    3. Select either Acrobat or Adobe Reader (depending on which application is actually installed)
    4. Check the box at the bottom of the dialog box that says 'Always open with..'

    If the issue persists after trying this, repair Acrobat or Reader.  This can be done via the Help > Repair menu option.

    Regards,
    David
    Acrobat Community Manager
    Adobe Systems

    C
    CMeisingerAuthorCorrect answer
    New Participant
    May 10, 2011

    Thanks David,

    I did check the file associations and did a repair and uninstall/re-install and nothing worked but it turned out to be an issue with turning on a security policy in Symantec Endpoint that was causing Adobe to not open so I had to remove that policy in order for Adobe to work again.

    Thanks,

    Chris

    dave_m_k
    dave_m_k
    Brainiac
    May 10, 2011

    Hi Chris,

    Thanks for letting us know that it's working properly now!  Glad to know the solution.

    Thanks,

    David

    Acrobat Community Manager

    Adobe Systems

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