Adobe Reader opens only in background

[Majken27857585ul90]

Every time i try to open adobe reader nothing seems to happen. 

When i open the taskmaster/Job list, Adobe has opened two jobs in the background, but i can't open any documents via the program. I can open the documents via a browser, however, I have a lot of PDF's that are saved in another program, and i can't open those documents through a browser, they need to have the program indstalled. 

I have tried uninstalling the program and installed the newest version. I have tried repairing the program. Nothing works. I have another computer that runs all of the same programs and versions, and on that computer adobe works with no issues. 

Sometimes when restart the computer, I can open a document, but then it sort of crashes again, and i can't open anything.  

[AkanchhaS]

Hi @Majken27857585ul90 

Sorry to hear about the trouble caused.

Looking at the description given above, it seems like whenever you are trying to open the PDF within Acrobat Reader, the program starts at the background. However, it doesn't seem to be opening the PDF file. Is that right?

Try these steps and see if that helps:

1- Open Task manager> select the Acrobat processes running in the background and end task.

2- Once done, try opening the Acrobat Reader first and then open the PDF file.

Did it make any changes?

3- If not, then run this cleaner tool to remove the existing installer and application’s files traces:

https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html

Download the Acrobat Reader installer from here: 

https://get.adobe.com/reader/enterprise/ 

Let us know the result.

Thanks.

Akanchha 

[Majken27857585ul90]

I have tried closing everything down in the task manager, that doesn't help, I still can't open the program. 

Earlier today i tried uninstalling, and installing again. It worked for a couple of hours and then I couldn't open it again. 

I just tried cleaning and downlading via the links you provided, and it worked for a minut so I could open the program, but when I closed it down, to make sure it would work regularly nothing happened again.

[Sarah334515544sp9]

This doesn't fix the issue. It is a temp fix that lasts only a short time. 

For the last 6 months or so this issue has affected my Dell. I have never had any problems before, so I am not sure if it relates to an update. 

If you are an Adobe employee then this issue needs to be escalated to fix the issue with Adobe. 

[Sarah334515544sp9]

I should note as well, that I do not use Reader, I have the Creative Cloud subscription, which includes the desktop version of Acrobat. 

Everytime I use your cleaner tool, it uninstalls my program, which is an incredible hassle since it takes a long time to reinstall, and during this time I am unable to work in Adobe for at least an hour, which is a huge setback for the day. 

[DoubleSupercool]

Doesn't work. I am just trying to open PDFs on a different local account for testing and Acrobat REFUSES to start without me signing in. It instantly closes if I won't sign in. It then won't let me open PDFs.

Why is it so difficult to get Acrobat to run in "reader mode" for other local accounts?

[Alexander Tovar]

i have the exact same issue. i've uninstalled and reinstalled. i spoke with support and this is all they recommend i did to fix the issue which still persists. 

[Alexander Tovar]

Download the 36 bit version. it resolved the issue!!! woo-hoo!

[dangmoss]

multiple clients exact same behavior

[dangmoss]

5 or 10 adobe processes in task manager

killing all of them doesnt fix it 

restarting pc fixes it

then couple days later it happens again

there is some bug somewhere

all client are on latest updates with current subscriptions

[Elizabeth31826932w897]

Same same as all the other comments.  I do a HEAP of things in Acrobat and this is EXTREMELY counter productive.  I agree Adobe needs to escalate and address.

[DoubleSupercool]

Same issue. Trying to get Acrobat to work in reader mode for another local account on my computer where my main account has Acrobat Pro. Complete nightmare. Doesn't work. Now, PDFs will not load at all on my secondary account. Acrobat runs in background and blocks Chrome from opening PDFs.

[JR Boulay]

[MOVED TO THE ACROBAT READER DISCUSSIONS]

[Alexander Tovar]

Adobe customer service remote accessed my computer and downloaded the 32 bit version of acrobat which helped tremendously. Not perfect but it is much better. 

[Rosan Pandey]

Having this issue. Tried everything possible. Unable to solve. 

[DoubleSupercool]

What I found was that opening Acrobat and then manually opening files from the menu worked, but double clicking files would open the "phantom acrobat".

I completely nuked it a few times with various adobe uninstall tools and it seems to be working now.

[Biswas Shrestha]

I have been having this issue for months. I still had few files running in the background and after reading this comment tried to open it manually and woalaaaa it opened. There definitely is a bug, need a fix 

[Kate37417207ev76]

Same issue, even after reinstalling.

[Marcus5D22]

Having the same issue on one of our machines, Windows 11, after a recent windows update.

[Alexander Tovar]

Download the 32-bit version of pdf. it resolved the issue. 

[Marcus5D22]

I treid to do that this morning, but couldnt find a link for a 32bit.  Tried installing 64 again and so far its working.  Weird.

[creatore]

Found a way to fix it: edit the properties of the executable files and set it to run in Compatibility mode: Windows 8.

It will start working again.

[Steve26528128vs74]

That worked!  I've been fighting this for a couple of months and tried everything listed above. Thanks!

[courageous_Coast9000]

Works beautifully!thank you soooooo much!