Adobe Reader DC RdrCEF.exe software exception error

Report · Oct 31, 2018

We are in an enterprise environment and have recently pushed out the 2019.008.20074 version of Adobe Reader DC.

We now have over 40 users receiving the following error window:

RdrCEF.exe - Application Error

The exception unknown software exception (0xc0000409) occurred in the application at location 0x012b7cee.

Click OK to terminate the program.

This happens on opening both locally stored and emailed/download .pdf files.

We have attempted the following troubleshooting steps:

Renaming the two .exe files

Removing the two .exe files

Repairing Adobe Reader DC

Reinstalling Adobe Reader DC

Repairing Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable

Reinstalled the Visual C++ Redistributable

The issue persists.

Report · Dec 04, 2018

We have many users that are all of a sudden getting the same error message.

The only fix I have found is to disable protected mode at startup.

Protected mode

Choose Edit > Preferences.

In the Categories list on the left, select Security (Enhanced).

In the Sandbox Protections section, select or deselect Enable Protected Mode At Startup. Enable Create Protected Mode Log File to record events. The changes take effect the next time you start the application.

Report · Dec 20, 2018

Thanks for sharing your finding. Glad to hear that has helped resolving the error.

However, for security reasons Adobe doesn't recommend to turn the protected mode off. If it has worked after turning the protected mode, then we recommend you to perform the troubleshooting steps suggested in the help article below-

Protected Mode troubleshooting | Adobe Reader

Also, you may install the latest patch of Adobe Reader which is 2019.010.20064. Open Acrobat Reader>Help>Check for update.

Regards,

Akanchha

Report · Dec 21, 2018

Hi christopherhartley ,

Kindly keep us posted if you still observe the issue after applying latest update.

-Regards

Acrobat Team