Acrobat Failed to Connect to a DDE Server errors

[Berttielp]

Hi,

From time to time for one user this messages comes up

Acrobat Failed to connect to a DDE Server errors

The PDF will not open and there are several acrobat processes running.

We are using the latest version of Acrobat Reader DC

any thoughts?

Regards

Rob

[ls_rbls]

What operating system are you using and what is the latest version update of your Acrobat? See release notes here and compare: 

• https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/release-note/release-notes-acrobat-reader.html

Here is some Adobe Helpx guidance: 

• https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/failed-to-connect-to-dde-server.html

Also refer to known issues: 

• https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/known-issues-acrobat-dc-reader.html

[FieryPantone]

fwiw:

• the Adobe Helpx guidance is about the specific case "In Acrobat, combining multiple files into single PDF results in the error 'Acrobat failed to connect to a DDE server'" – what we are facing is not being able to start the program
• I don't see anything in the "Known issues" about "failed to connect to DDE server"

[BarlaeDC]

Hi,

Could you provide more information about the workflow? Are they just trying to open a PDF in Acrobat Reader? is it being opened from another application? Has it been downloaded from a website?

Regards

Malcolm

[ls_rbls]

What happens when you turn off protected mode at startup?

What happens after you repair the installation?

What happens if you turn off Windows updates?

What is the using doing before he/she decides to open Adobe Reader for the first time? Can you confirm if this user has a lot of stuff going on with MS Office?

Maybe updating Visual Studio libraries, C++ add-ins and other .Net redistributables can improve something.

[MeenakshiNegi]

Hey,

Hope you are doing well and sorry for the trouble.

If you are still experiencing an issue and receive the error " Acrobat failed to connect to a DDE server", please use the troubleshooting steps suggested in the following help document: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/failed-to-connect-to-dde-server.html 

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Meenakshi