Acrobat Reader DC will not run

Report · Apr 29, 2019

Acrobat Reader DC will not run. I'm running Windows 10. Everything is up to date as far as I know. When I doubel-click and try to run Reader nothing happens. Nothing. The little blue busy circle for a second or two and then nothing. I've tried retarting the computer and ever uninstalled then reinstalled Reader DC but still nothing. If I try to double-click a PDF to open it nothing happens. It was working fine the last time I used it (within the last day or so) but out of the blue it just stopped working and I have no idea why. And it's impossible to chat with a live person from Adobe, which is extrememley frustrating. Definitely the worst customer service I have ever had. Hopefully someone here can help!

Report · May 02, 2019

Hey SteveP,

I am really sorry for the trouble and for the delayed response. Could you please reboot the machine once and check for any pending updates of Windows from Control Panel and install all the Mandatory and optional updates of OS, reboot the machine after installing the updates.

Then locate the Adobe Reader's icon and right click>choose Run as Administrator and check if this brings up the application.

If Adobe Reader application is up, check for any pending updates from help menu>select check for updates, reboot the machine after updating Adobe Reader.

Try repairing Adobe Reader once from help menu>repair Adobe Reader.

If you still experience any issue, please use Acrobat cleaner tool to remove installed Adobe Reader Download Adobe Reader and Acrobat Cleaner Tool - Adobe Labs

Reboot the machine, then if any security software is installed, try disabling it temporarily, download and install Adobe Reader from the URL Adobe - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Distribution

Let us know how it goes and share your observation.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

Report · May 09, 2020

I have same "will not run" problem, but with Windows 7 Pro. Progam will "Run as adminsitrator", but that is no use.

I have tried every step sugested in reply dated 2 May 2019 above - no change. Acrobat Reader DC was working OK for several years, but stopped - perhaps after most recent Reader update, but cannot be certain. Removed and reinstalled several times, but no change. Adobe Acrobat Update Service is running.

Reader file name = AcroRd32.exe. File number = 20.6.20042.43423. Progam version = 20.6.20043.371103.

"Run as administrator" pop-up: "Cannot open in Protected Mode due to an incompatibility with system configuration". Selected "No protected mode" and Reader runs. Where to look now? Any help much appreciated.