Unable to create password protected PDF from InDesign

[DaleValet]

Has anyone come across InDesign not being able to create a password protected PDF? I was able to do it in the recent past, but now I just get an error messge: 'Failed to Export the PDF file.'

I updated everything that could be updated and rebooted a couple of times with no luck. However, I was able to password protect the file directly from Acrobat DC, but I don't want this to be the new norm for obvious reasons.

[Laubender]

Hi @DaleValet ,

just tested the export to a password protected PDF with my German InDesign 2023 version 18.1 on Windows 10.

All is working as expected.

Maybe something else is not working with your PDF export?
Did you try the export from the same document without any password?

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

[Willi Adelberger]

What preset did you use? Any X-setting (PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3 or PDF/X-4) does not permit exporting protected PDFs.

[Laubender]

Hi Willi,

if any kind of PDF/X is selected under Standard in the PDF Export dialog one is not able to define any security settings. All the options are simply grayed out. So I think, this cannot be the issue here.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )