E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12 [2012]

[PolarPaul]

Hello,

I downloaded an e-book from lulu.com yesterday.  It was an .acsm file, which forced me to install Adobe Digital Editions 2.0 in order to view.  I installed it without authorizing and browsed the book for a few minutes then turned off the program.  Later I returned to read it but there was a message about some licence key being broken or something, with E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12 in the error message.  I tried to authorize ADE to see if it would help, but it gave me a message saying "Digital Editions encountered an error on the activation server", with the familiar E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12 code.

I tried removing the book from the library and reimporting it, but now it won't even do that without the same error message.  I've tried deleting the .acsm file and redownloading it, unistalling ADE and reinstalling it, made sure the firewall allows acces to the internet, and keep getting the same message.  I'm running on Vista.  It works with DRM-free .pdf's I have, but I can't download any of the sample books on Adobe's website to test further because the server doesn't respond.

Any ideas?

[Jean-Philippe31707259rahb]

It worked for me, thank you so much!

[PATY_2000]

Thank you!

I just wanted to say that your method is still valid in 2025 and works perfectly. Even AI couldn't find the solution, but your advice did the trick! I really appreciate you sharing this—it was a lifesaver!

Thanks again! 😊

[shreya]

Hello,

Please download the latest ADE 4.0.3.117585

http://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html

Some of the crashes have been fixed in this release.

Thanks for being the part of product improvement.

[Marijke307778841edh]

Hello Shreya

I have the problem with  E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12 already for months now. I tried numerous times to erase the authorisation but I always receive the error message 'Cannot erase authorisation. Try again later.' I have deleted ADE and installed the latest version multiple times, and it still does not work.

[eileenc85486520]

thank you it worked

[arrisb80648718]

Hello, I found this error " E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12"   in my desktop computer (Win 7). This error happened after two or three months I did not open the digital editions.

I tried, uninstalling and installing the ADE, reloading the .ACSM file. The one that worked was "deauthorize computer" as showed above “Ctrl + Shift key and the d key” and then authorized it again and loading the .ACSM

I think ADE is far from being a good tool.

Regards,

Fernando

[crahol]

Using a Mac with High Sierra. Using ADE 4.5.8.182914. When I try to load an ebook, I get the error message "E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12", which is a deauthorization error message. I have researched and know that I have to go to Users/[[Your user account]]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Digital Editions and drag the activation.dat file to the trash. The problem is that there is no Digital Editions within the Library/Application Support/Adobe/folder. I've also done a search on my computer for an activation.dat file, but there is none. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling ADE. I've tried uninstalling and installing an older version (3.0) with the same results. Any suggestions?

[reneez64889169]

erreur E_AUTH_BAD_DEVICE_KEY_OR_PKCS12

J'ai un mac et malgré toutes les solutions essayées grâce aux différents forums, rien n'a fonctionné. Finalement la seule solution qui a marché tout de suite, c'est d'ouvrir une nouvelle session (invitée), réinstaller ADE avec les mêmes codes, j'ai d'ailleurs retrouvé ainsi toute ma bibliothèque et j'ai pu télécharger tous mes nouveaux livres (empruntés à une bibliothèque gratuite).

J'espère que cela marchera pour tout le monde

[corinne81w68710721]

I have exactly the same problem, have you found the solution?

thanks

[Lauren34228413r9bp]

Anyone else coming here with this issue, and Unable to Erase authorization error, here is how I solved it on Windows 10.

Windows key (start menu) > search Add or remove programs > uninstall Adobe Digital Editions

Run: Windows key + R > regedit > HKEY_CURRENT_USER/SOFTWARE/Adobe. I had two extra "keys" (folders) sticking around after the uninstall, Adobe Digital Editions, and Adept. Right click both and delete.

Reinstall ADE from Adobe website. Help > Authorise Computer again.

[Bsc nursing registration]

Vinod Kumar