Skip to main content
Participant
November 4, 2017
Answered

eReader not authorized to open this book

  • November 4, 2017
  • 76 replies
  • 124522 views

When I download a book from my public library I can open it in digital editions 4.5 but when I transfer it to my device (kobo) and try to open it on the kobo it says "This book is protected by DRM. Because you previously deauthorized your eReader, you need to re-import the book using Adobe Digital Editions." I tried erasing authorization and setting git up again but it still won't work. Erased and downloaded a new edition of ADE, that didn't work either. Tried different books and libraries but still have problem. Called kobo and after troubleshooting with them they say it as ADE problem. Please please please help! Thank you!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer kirsten5FD5

    This thread is old but incase anyone is suffering from the same problem here in January 2023. I have finally figured out a hack to get my Kobo to work.

     

    For the record, I have tried everything: De/Re Authorizing, deleting books, overdrive account vs adobe account, etc. I couldn't use ADE V3 as my Mac is running 64 bit and it's not supported. I thought I was hooped until I came across this in my hours of searching:

     

    1. Download another random book. One you HAVE NOT had on hold (this is important because this seems to effect books on hold more than anything). Just choose something random.
    2. Load the random book + the book you want into ADE at the same time. 
    3.  Profit!

     

    I don't know if it's a bug with holds or what, but so far this has worked for me for my last 3 books!

     

    Hopefully this helps someone.

     

    76 replies

    Participant
    February 10, 2019

    I've tried everything, but I can't download ADE Version 3.0.  Is it too old?  I saw somewhere that Overdrive won't work with older versions. Has anybody a link to something old but not too old?

    Participant
    February 11, 2019

    Hi Lynn,
    The link does work.

    Adobe Digital Editions downloads

    It LOOKS like an expired page but scroll almost to the bottom.

    It works with overdrive.

    David

    Participant
    December 7, 2018

    Same issue here. Started happening when Libby was launched. After months of trying different approaches with mixed results -some fixes worked for a short time-, I ended up logging in to my OverDrive account using my library card and making sure that my profile was updated to reflect the fact that I am 13 years of age or older. That fixed it.

    Participant
    December 5, 2018

    my wife has had this problem for a while now. What freaks me out is that no REAL fix from either Kobo or Adobe seem to be available... i have seen posts regarding this dating of 2016. we are dec 2018. this is a simple pdf transfer to an other device. come on people.

    Participant
    July 18, 2018

    Problem solved for me as follows:

    • Uninstalled Adobe Digital Editions 4.5
    • Installed Adobe Digital Editions 3.0 downloaded from here: Adobe Digital Editions downloads
    • Opened and de-authorized Adobe Digital Editions 3.0 as per here: https://helpx.adobe.com/digital-editions/kb/activation-errors-adobe-digital-editions.html
    • Closed and re-opened Adobe Digital Editions 3.0 and opened the downloaded ascm file which opened Adobe Digital Editions 3.0.
    • Re-authorized Adobe Digital Editions 3.0 when prompted.
    • Authorized my Kobo in Adobe Digital Editions 3.0
    • Dragged book into the Kobo from within Adobe Digital Editions 3.0
    • Ejected the Kobo from Finder (Mac)

    Who would have thought an eBook could be so complicated.

    Participant
    January 21, 2019

    thank you. Turns out for me as well it was an issue with the ADE version (4.5). uninstalling and installing ver 3.0 fixed the issue for me.

    Participant
    August 5, 2019

    I've got the 3.0 version installed. Nothing is working.

    Participant
    July 8, 2018

    SOLVED!

    So this has happened on both my Kobo as well as my husband's.  I read on some other very long thread on this subject the following trick:

    1. Transfer the library book to your Kobo and try it.

    2. If you get the "oops! not authorized..." or whatever, go back to your library website and download a second book.  Doesn't matter what it is, just borrow something else that is available immediately.  

    3. Download the second book and transfer it to your device.

    Just like magic, both books all of a sudden work no problem.  Very strange but there's clearly some kind of bug in the underlying Kobo software...

    Participant
    July 17, 2018

    Thank you Melanie!! That is such a bizarre but thankfully easy fix.

    ruthr27280474
    Participant
    June 19, 2018

    same exact problem.  so frustrating! cannot find help

    Participant
    June 13, 2018

    I had the EXACT same issues with my Kobo and library books! This is what I did, not sure if some steps are unnecessary, but I wasn't taking any chances (been at this for several hours). I am using a Mac OS X El Capitan version 10.11.6 for the record.

    1. I deleted Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.8 off my computer (sent the files to the trash from Applications, and then hit "Empty Trash")

    2. I went here and I downloaded Adobe Digital Editions 3 for Mac: http://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/digitaleditions/ADE_3.0_Installer.dmg

    3. After install ADE 3.0, I deauthorized my computer (Command + shift + D).

    4. I reauthorized my computer.

    5. I downloaded and opened my ebook (saved it to downloads, right clicked, and selected "Open with Adobe Digital Editions 3.0").

    6. I plugged in my Kobo.

    7. I deauthorized my Kobo.

    8. I reauthorized my Kobo.

    9. I copied my book onto my Kobo.

    10. I exited out of ADE 3.0, and ejected my Kobo from my computer.

    11. FINALLY OPENED MY BOOK ON MY KOBO!

    Again, not sure if all these steps are necessary, but after having to do an unnecessary factory reset I was taking no chances!

    M0n0lysha
    Participant
    June 18, 2018

    YOU ARE AMAZING! After spending 3 hours trying to get this to work I found this comment and thank god I did! Thank you!

    alyssah6599
    Participant
    June 4, 2018

    I found that my device and computer were both authorized the same (with my Overdrive account) but when I borrowed books from the library, I did so with my library card login rather than my Overdrive login. So when I transferred things onto my device it would not open.

    I did what others suggested (deauthorize device and computer, reauthorize both, redownload book, etc.etc) and none of it worked. I also tried using the old edition of ADE as well as a new one, and that didn't help me. But when I logged out of my library account and logged back in using my Overdrive account, I was finally able to transfer (and open) the library book on my e-reader.

    Hope this helps!

    May 3, 2018

    Similar problem here. The download of a library ebook to my authorized PC (WIndows 10). And I was able to copy it to my Kobo via USB cable. But when I tried to open the ebook on the Kobo, I was advised that my reader was not authorized to open this DRM file. Then I attempted to authorize it with the same Adobe ID as my PC, but was duly informed that that ID was not recognized. Ridiculous! Then I downloaded ADE 3.0 to use instead of 4.5, but the same thing happened. Can anyone help me? Signed, Frustrated!

    Participant
    May 3, 2018

    Hi! I have been advised that it is the DRM platform causing the problem? They

    will now only let you have books that you have paid for. ADOBE are not

    interested and all KOBO tell you is to de-authorise your KOBO from ADOBE, put

    your KOBO back to factory settings and start again. This has been tried but

    does not work.

    Like you I am so frustrated. This was such an easy way for seniors to continue

    library book reading. I am waiting to hear from my local library but nothing so

    far.

    Kind regards

    May 3, 2018

    Thanks for that info. I also email my local library to seek assistance, but have yet to receive a reply. If this is indeed the problem, the library system is going to take a serious hit in their lending.

    realktmarie
    Participant
    March 18, 2018

    Where is the solution to this.  Adobe costumer service was absolutely no help.