Re: Have to click multiple times to open PDF files with Reader XI

Report · Jan 11, 2018

I have tried all methods listed and the issue persists. This does not affect all of my users but a handful of them. There are no previous versions of the software installed and protected mode is already disabled via group policy. I have tried re-enabling protected mode but this doesn't help either. I have found on the odd device that once a PDF has been opened with the 4 clicks once it can be opened as normal from there on. If anyone could provide a fix it would be much appreciated.

Report · Jan 18, 2018

Hello jakeg83912993

We apologize for the inconvenience caused, as per the description above, you are not able to open PDF file in as it's taking multiple clicks to open the PDF file in Adobe Reader 11, Is that correct?

Please make sure before opening any PDF file, no other Adobe Reader process are loading in Task Manager. Close all the tasks/process related to Adobe Reader, and reboot the machine, and then open any PDF and see if this brings any difference.

Please install Adobe Reader DC, and see if this issue is reproducible with Adobe Reader DC.

Please share the following details:

Dot version of Adobe Reader 11 installed, to identify refer to Identify the product and its version for Acrobat and Reader DC
Is it Mac or Windows machine?

Let us know your findings.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

Report · May 08, 2025

I have the same problem and ruining my career. I'm seriously behind in work and it's getting worse everyday. I've taken video. It takes about 5 double clicks to open a file to Adobe with wait time between each to see if it will happen. There's something very wrong with the software. This just started a month ago and has persisted across multiple devices. My company set me up with a new computer and it's happening on that one as well.

Report · May 09, 2025

Hello Rachel!

I hope you are doing well. Thanks for reaching out, and we're sorry for the trouble you had. I've noticed that you posted this question on an old community thread. Please note that Acrobat and Acrobat Reader 11 are no longer supported products.

What version of the app is currently installed? Is it Acrobat or the free Acrobat Reader? To identify, go to Menu > Help > select About Adobe Acrobat, and you can share a screenshot of the version details. Are you on a Windows or a Mac machine, and what is the version?

Are you having this issue with a specific PDF, or do all PDFs require multiple clicks to open? Please ensure you have the latest version of Acrobat installed on the machine: 25.001.20474 (Win) | 25.001.20476 (Mac), Apr 28, 2025. Check for any pending updates from the Menu > help > check for updates, install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

Disable Protected Mode (Temporary Test): Go to Menu > Preferences > Security (Enhanced). Uncheck “Enable Protected Mode at startup”. Click OK and restart Acrobat Reader.

Note: This is a test step. If this solves the issue, it suggests a conflict with Windows security or third-party tools. You can re-enable it later and whitelist Reader in your antivirus software.

You may also try the suggestion from the following article: https://adobe.ly/4mg9J3J

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

Report · May 21, 2025

I'm having the same issue and it is so frustrating to have to click on a file about ten times to get it to open. I cannot figure out how to fix it.

Report · Jun 12, 2025

Hello @Jeffrey352093866o6d!

I hope you are doing well, and I am sorry for the delayed response and trouble.

Could you please share more details about the issue? Are you on a Mac or Windows machine, and what is the OS version? Is it happening with all the PDFs, or with a specific PDF? Are you using the freeware Acrobat Reader desktop app or the paid Acrobat?

Have you tried the suggestions from my previous posts? If not, please try once, and let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.

Report · Jun 12, 2025

I use windows, Version 22H2. It happens on all pdf files. I'm using the paid Acrobat. I've tried suggestions from many posts. Why doesn't it open with the standard two clicks ?

Report · Jun 13, 2025

Hello @Jeffrey352093866o6d!

Thanks for the details. Are you on the latest version of Acrobat: 25.001.20531 (Win) | 25.001.20529 (Mac), planned update June 10, 2025. Check for any pending updates from the Menu > help > check for updates, install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

For testing purposes, please create a local test user profile with full admin rights and try the workflow again.

If the issue continues with the latest version of Acrobat, please provide the following information: the current version of the operating system on your device, a sample PDF file, a quick screen recording, and the logs from the affected machine. To collect the logs, download and run the Log Collector tool. Make sure to select all log options and attempt to reproduce the issue. After that, close the Log Collector tool; it will generate the logs along with a log ID. Please share this log ID with us for further investigation.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.