My Adobe software wont start up.

[Diarmuid_1977]

My Adobe software wont start up. When I start any app I get: 

Are you connected to the internet?

We can't verify your subscription status.

We can't reach the Adobe servers. This may be because you're not connected to the internet. Check your connection and try again below. If you're still having issues, please see our connectivity troubleshooting guide. Error code: 20400.

Quit Photoshop Try Again

When I click try again I get:

An error has occurred

Sorry, Photoshop has encountered an error.

You will not be able to use Photoshop at this time. Please contact Customer Support and use the reference code 109 for more information on how to resolve this issue.

Quit Photoshop

I've tryed re-installing the software.

[Ged_Traynor · Accepted solution]

@Diarmuid_1977 check out this link to see if it helps

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/activation-network-issues.html#test-connection

[Diarmuid_1977]

Thank you @Ged_Traynor 

This worked for me, software all working again.

[Ged_Traynor]

You're welcome

[Domagoj_Trojko1346]

I've tried this solution. It doesn't help.

[Tina_Kristensen4289]

I have the same problem and would like to hear if you solved the problem. I have gone through all the steps in the link in Ged_Traynor's answer, but none of my apps still work.

[kenneth_2187]

I am having this same issue for the first time. I ran the troubleshooting and it did not solve anything or find any problems.

[Tina_Kristensen4289]

Hi again. I solved the problem with the help from a Adobe Agent. The problem is MAC and the new control system has an conflict. Try this. It worked for me!

From Adobe

As we have informed you that ,we need to move to the new Flat style packaging to overcome this issue. Customers should check the flat package option at the time of creating packages if they are working on the latest Mac OS version. This is an advisory that MacOS Sequoia requires the new package format https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/using/create-flat-packages.html

[Tina_Kristensen4289]

Hi Diarmuid_1977

I have the same problem and would like to hear if you solved the problem?
I have gone through all the steps in the link in Ged_Traynor's answer, but none of my apps still work. 

[Teijo Shemeikka]

Same problem here. Nothing helps.

[Tina_Kristensen4289]

Hi again. I solved the problem with the help from a Adobe Agent. The problem is MAC and the new control system has an conflict. Try this. It worked for me!

From Adobe

As we have informed you that ,we need to move to the new Flat style packaging to overcome this issue. Customers should check the flat package option at the time of creating packages if they are working on the latest Mac OS version. This is an advisory that MacOS Sequoia requires the new package format https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/using/create-flat-packages.html

[Teijo Shemeikka]

I'm running Adobe CC on Windwos. Could it still be the case?

[Teijo Shemeikka]

Yesterday everything worked just fine.

[Tina_Kristensen4289]

I dont know? But its worth the try.!

It was the same for me. All of a sudden i the middel of the day my apps didn work.

Hope you solve your problem.

[Teijo Shemeikka]

Nope, this didn't work for me.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@Teijo Shemeikka have you checked your Windows Firewall settings to make sure they are allowing Adobe to connect to the servers?

[27630142v0mw]

Hi there,

I have the same Issue. I am on Win 11 with a College enterprise Licence. Firewall is all checked, Ports are open and i have tried all steps mentioned here but still no luck.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@27630142v0mw check with your IT admin - educational/enterprise accounts can be blocked by the Admin via the Adobe enterprise portal.

[27630142v0mw]

Thanks for the response. I did check with IT Admin, not beeing blocked or anything from their side. But still the same Issue on multiple PCs.

[Serendipitous_passion5DCB]

yes I have same problem nothing fixes it

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Serendipitous_passion5DCB, sorry to hear you’re still running into this.

Have you tried the steps in Ged’s link above? It includes multiple troubleshooting methods, such as testing Adobe’s activation server, renaming the host file, etc.

If that doesn’t help, could you confirm a few details for us:

• Are you using any antivirus or VPN?

• Are you working on the office Wi-Fi or a managed computer?

• Can you try connecting via personal Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot to see if it works?

Also, please DM me your Adobe email ID so I can check your account status further.

Best,

Anshul Saini

[Serendipitous_passion5DCB]

Yes I tried Ged's link it did not work.

I am using a vpn

I am on a mobile hotspot and it still does it.

I unistalled and reinstalled and it worked for  a minute then crashed and closed out.

[Anshul_Saini]

Thanks for following up and sharing the details, @Serendipitous_passion5DCB. Since Ged’s steps didn’t resolve it and reinstalling only worked briefly, let’s go a bit deeper.

Here are some additional checks that can help narrow this down:
 • Since you mentioned you’re using a VPN, please try fully disabling it (not just switching networks) and test again. Adobe’s licensing servers can block or fail when routed through VPNs.
 • Once VPN is turned off, reset the hosts file. Please review this article for guidance on resetting it: https://adobe.ly/4mwO7Qd
 • Sometimes security or system cleaning tools disable or block Adobe licensing services. Can you check that “Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service” is running in your system’s services list?
 • Since you mentioned the app works briefly then crashes, please send us a crash report if one is generated: https://adobe.ly/4pexR8r

Could you also let us know:
 • Copy & paste System Info from the PS help menu.
 • Whether this happens across all Adobe apps or just Photoshop
 • If your subscription is an individual plan or provided through school or work. Please share your Adobe Email ID via DM with me.

This will help us identify whether the issue is local configuration, account-related, or a broader compatibility problem.

Best,

Anshul Saini