Acrobat Reader DC opens PDF to a black screen

[haskellcr]

I have been opening and using a protected PDF for months for the CPIM self study program.  Tonight I opened it and the PDF itself was all black with no text.  If I scroll or click inside it I can briefly see the word "Joka" repeated over the entire document.  I re-booted and tried again with the same results. 

Anyone ever had this issue and can you offer advice to resolve?

[AkanchhaS]

Hi Haskellcr,

What you have explained above, it sounds like all of the sudden you have started experiencing the problem with this specific file.

Not sure what exactly went wrong, but we can try couple of things to get the root cause of the problem-

Where exactly you have saved the document? Is it possible to save a new copy of same file and reopen it?

Check with another file if the same happens with that?

Check the Acrobat Reader's updates, Launch Acrobat Reader>Help>Check for update and install the latest Patch.

Release Notes | Adobe Acrobat, Reader

Still no luck, if possible then you may share the file with us we would like to test the same at our end.

"You can share the file with us via email. And you can send it to the email that is shared via private message. Please do mention your forum thread in the subject"

Try the following and let us know the result.

Regards,

Akanchha

[haskellcr · Accepted solution]

I uninstalled Adobe reader and the re installed it and it is working fine again

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone

[AkanchhaS]

Hi Haskellcr,

Thanks for sharing your findings.

Let us know if any further assistance is required.

-Akanchha

[Dano357]

While uninstalling and reinstalling works, it's easier to turn off night mode. Open a document, at the bottom bar far left symbol (looks sort of like a Sim card) select the symbol and turn off night mode.

[AnandSri]

Hello Dano,

Thank you for sharing the workaround which will help other users facing a similar issue. Feel free to update this discussion for any further assistance.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

[cmcd10]

Hmm... I have a presentation that I have set to start automatically in Full Screen mode.

When I open DC Reader and open the file it works fine.

However, I have created a (Win 10 PC) desktop shortcut to the file and when it opens all I get is a black/blank screen. This has been going on for some time, but it used to work. 

[try67]

Is the file opening in Adobe Reader?

[cmcd10]

Yes, opens fine from Adobe Reaser  and goes Full Screen, no problem .

When I use the shortcut, I have to open Task Manager and "End Task" for Adobe to shut down Reader.

I've previous checked for updates, Uninstalled and reinstall DC and still get same problem.

[cmcd10]

BTW, I have "Pinned" the file to Adobe Reader and I get the same "Black/Blank" screen when I open it that way.

[cmcd10]

I gave up and changed my PDF files to open in another PDF program (not Adobe) by default and it works fine, even through the shortcut!

[Kris Geis]

Dano,

This is not a night screen issue.  Its not white text on black background.  It is completely blocked out.

[WarTrout]

I had the same issue. I went to the Help menu at the top and selected Repair Installation. That fixed my issue.

[Kris Geis]

Repair Installation under 'Help' worked for me.  Thanks

[yves.barbion]

I've had this phenomenon too, using Adobe Reader 2018. The cause of the problem was the setting "Enable Protected Mode at startup" in the Security (Enhanced) category. It happens if you deselect this option.

So, no need to reinstall Adobe Reader; just select the option and all is well again. I still have the same problem with Adobe Acrobat and I can't see this setting there.

[cmcd10]

Thanks Yves,

I tried this again (had done it before) but still no luck.

It is strange that when I open the file from within Reader DC it behaves properly, but if I open it via a shortcut (or from File Explorer) it just gives a blank screen?

[Riology]

I had the same problem. If I open my Auto Full Screen mode PDF file from within the program it works fine. If I open the pdf using the icon or shortcut; however, it goes to a black screen and freezes.

I did manage to resolve the issue on my PC. Since I have a touch screen, I had to go to my Adobe Reader DC: 

Edit > Preferences > General > Touch Mode and Choose Never from the dropdown options.

Afterwhich, everything worked fine.

I hope this will help anyone with this unique and hard-to-identify issue.

[jemyteutla]

I deselected and selected again the Enable Protected Mode at startup box, and deselect the Enable Enhance Security box. Then, I closed Acrobat Reader and I opened it again and the program runs well now.

This information worked for me, thank you. 

[James W5C13]

Thank you for this information. Had not realized that this had been changed. All good now.

[SIA FOR TECH]

For those who get Black Screen on their Adobe Acrobat Reader check this video blow to solve the issue in 1 mint

https://youtu.be/MCShMwo55C8