Extreme lag - Adobe Reader DC on Windows 11

[Will276075680jt2]

Hello,

I work in a large multinational and we proofread documents using comment tools on Reader DC with our own custom stamp palette for speed. We recently migrated to Windows 11 and since then, our team has experienced extreme lagging issues. The program seems to start out ok and its performance slowly deteriorates (especially for large documents or when working with multiple PDFs), to an almost stand-still at times. Here's a description of some of the issues:

- When applying a new stamp, sometimes it takes 2-5 sec after clicking for the stamp image to "stick" on the page.

- When using the pencil tool, most of the time you must hold the mouse button down for 2-3 sec. for the drawing to start showing, otherwise it only makes a dot or else just a straight line from the point you started the drawing to where the cursor ended up.

- When switching between documents/tabs, it can take anywhere from 5 to 20 seconds for the new document to display and sometimes the software freezes with a turning wheel and a message saying "(not responding)".

Our IT team tried several steps:

- Changing security settings as described in this community post: https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/adobe-acrobat-reader-is-incredibly-slow-am...

- Uninstalling/reinstalling Reader DC;

- Manually uninstalling/wiping out all registry files and reinstalling Reader DC directly from the Adobe official website and installing all latest updates and patches, then reimporting custom stamps;

- Testing with Acrobat Pro on one machine (for a coworker).

Some of these fixes yielded an initial improvement, but Reader (and Acrobat Pro) quickly deteriorated again after a few minutes/hours of work. Reader DC is our team's preferred tool for proofreading due to its better tools and well-designed interface, and we use it for over 90% of our work. As this remains an issue, we have been using a similar alternative PDF-editing tool. 

To help troubleshoot, here's my setup (note that this is a broad issue affecting all team members who migrated to Windows 11): 

- Laptop:

Processor 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-1185G7 @ 3.00GHz 3.00 GHz
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.7 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
- OS:

Edition Windows 11 Enterprise
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎2023-‎11-‎29
OS build 22621.2715
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22677.1000.0
- Reader DC:

Installed Acrobat: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Acrobat Reader DC\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
Continuous Release | Version 2023.006.20380

Version File Version: 23.6.20380.0

AGM Version 7.001.00003

Core Version 23.1536

JP2K Version 4.000.O0000.52671

CoolType Version 8.003.00004
Creation Date: 2023/11/04

[Bryan25132142652d]

we have had similar issues here in our firm, starting around the same date. so far the only actions that worked was installing an update or reinstalling adobe, but as mentioned alot of users still experience adobe "not responding" even after doing so. wiping adobe from the registry doesnt seem to help either.

[The Big Beekeeper]

Also running into this issue.  For some reason, every 30 seconds or so Adobe freezes up regardless of the action performed.  Whether I'm typing in a text box, navigating one of the menus in the top bar, or simply trying to print, Adobe has about a 10-second fit where it doesn't respond and freezes up.  My coworker is also experiencing this.  Both of us have premium subscriptions.  Same versions as Will.

[Rajendra21907769u181]

I dont see any reponse from Adobe. Are these guys really serious about customer service?

[christopher_6903]

Have you found a fix for this yet?

[Will276075680jt2]

Nope, the issue was gone briefly after an update way back, but it returned on a later update and continues...

[Lee353640891v5f]

I'm investigating a similar issue, did anyone get a fix for this?

I have a suspicion that this is linked to the use of the Preview Pane, as when I switch that off the issues subside, but I would rather find a fix that didnt remove functionality.

[Will276075680jt2]

Hi, after much back-and-forthing, internally we were able to establish that Adobe Reader v. 2023.008.20470 (the new layout/new Acrobat) doesn't experience any lagging. Note that was only achieved by uninstalling/wiping out Adobe Reader from the computer and installing a fresh version directly from the Adobe website - simply updating to that version didn't stop the lagging. Thanks for the hint on turning off the Preview Pane, we haven't tried that. 

[Will276075680jt2]

Ok, here we are, 6 months on, and this issue still persists. Although the version mentioned on my post on Feb 9, 2024 did seem to fix the issue, further updates brought them all back and we are still unable to use Adobe Markup functions for our daily tasks. For the moment, we have chosen to use Kofax Power PDF as our go-to tool for document markups, but our preferred tool (when not lagging) would still be Adobe Reader. Has this been reported by anyone else? Has it been addressed? I'd be help to put in the time to work with someone to try to pinpoint what's causing this issue, as our entire team (if not the entire firm) is affected.

[Will276075680jt2]

*I'd be happy

[jaburmester]

Anybody found a solution as issue still persists ?

[Will276075680jt2]

Nothing yet as far as I'm concerned. I'm just hoping it will magically be fixed in an update one day, but not holding my breath. Been using Kofax successfully and haven't had any issues. 

[Christian30935017ftwz]

Same issue since update from WIN10 to WIN11 few weeks ago.

Updating Reader and PRO had no effect.

Fortunately our company is using PDF-Exchange as standard PDF-Editor.

I will switch to PDF-Exchange as standard reader and cancel my PRO subscription if there will be no solution in short time.

[Christian30935017ftwz]

Since the last update, the user interface is also completely new and i first have to familiarise myself with it and get used to it again. Goddby Acrobat

[murat_2005]

I found something on other forms that turning off security settings helped a little

[Rasec35352000m5gi]

Dear all,

We have the same issue here : our W11 computers experience freezes on ADOBE READER DC Pro, especially when a new document is opened. I will try to see if Kofax Power PDF can replace it.

ADOBE should be pioneer in PDF software industry and it seems strange that even small actions like going into preferences can cause lags on powerful computers (UC i9 13th gen 32 Go DDR4 3200 MHz). I will report the bug to ADOBE hoping they can do something to resolve the issue.