Acrobat DC opens for few seconds and closes after updating to April 2021 release

[Tariq Ahmad]

After updating Acrobat DC to April 2021 release, Acrobat DC opens for a few seconds and closes.

Applicable versions

• Acrobat DC (Version 2021.001.20149 | April 16, 2021 release)

Try the workarounds below in the order they appear:

Update the Creative Cloud Desktop app to its latest version and keep it open

1. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app. (Select the icon  in the Windows taskbar or the macOS menu bar.)
2. In the Creative Cloud desktop app, click the options menu, and then click Check for App Updates.
   
3. If you aren’t using the latest version of the Creative Cloud desktop app, a prompt to update will appear. Select Update.

    After the Creative Cloud desktop app is updated, launch Acrobat DC and check.

Create a feature lockdown registry key

Applicable on Windows

1. In Start > Search, type RegEdit and press Enter. The Registry Editor is displayed.
2. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\(product name)\(version)\FeatureLockDown.
   For example, the path for Acrobat DC is LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Policies\Adobe\AdobeAcrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown.
3. Create the following key:

     Key: bDisableFrequentSignInWorkflow  
              Data type: REG_DWORD

              Value: 0

• Close Registry Editor.
  
  

Uninstall Acrobat and reinstall the previous version. 
Steps to uninstall Acrobat DC. 
Uninstall Acrobat DC on Windows

•  Open the Run command box - press the Windows key and the R key.
•  In the Run command box, type Control Panel and press OK.
•  In Control Panel, click Programs and Features.
• From the list of installed programs, select Adobe Acrobat DC and click Uninstall
  
•  Click Yes in the confirmation dialog.
  
  
  
  

Uninstall Acrobat DC on macOS

• Go to Finder > Applications > Adobe Acrobat DC, and double click the Acrobat Uninstaller.
  
• The uninstaller asks you to select the product. Select Adobe Acrobat and click Open.
  
• In the confirmation dialog for Acrobat DC removal, click OK.
  
  
  
  

Steps to reinstall Acrobat DC

Do any of the following:

• Open your Creative Cloud desktop app. In the list of apps, find Acrobat, and then click Install.
• Download the Acrobat DC installer, and then follow the onscreen instructions to sign in and install.