FIX: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC not responding

Teodor Nechita
by Teodor Nechita
Software Managing Editor
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related. When not working, you may usually find him either at the gym or taking a... Read more
Updated:
Posted: April 2020
Affiliate Disclosure
  • Computer performance or issues with the app itself can lead to the Adobe Acrobat not responding error.
  • If Adobe Acrobat is not responding on Windows 10, check if you have the latest version of the tool.
  • If Adobe Reader is not responding when printing, take a look at the software settings.
  • If Adobe Acrobat seems to be stuck on not responding,try to open the tool with admin rights.
Adobe Acrobat Reader not responding
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Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the world’s most well-known PDF readers and editors. It has been with us for quite some time now, and it is constantly receiving updates to make it more and more relevant.

Unfortunately, no software is without issues, as some users have reported on the official Adobe forums that they are receiving an error message when using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC:

Can someone help me troubleshoot why Adobe Acrobat Reader isn’t responding? When I open a PDF, I get an error message that tells me the program is unable to respond and needs to quit and to click okay to close, I then click okay and nothing happens, having to click multiple times. I have uninstalled and reinstalled and the same issue occurs. Before this, I attempted to repair it and scanned for issues. I’m running windows 10 on a PC.

Since the program is so well-known, we have decided to look over some troubleshooting steps and compile them into an easy-to-read list, so that you can solve your problem immediately.

How do I fix Adobe Acrobat Reader DC not responding?

1. Update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC manually

update Adobe Acrobat Reader

Visit the official website and look for the latest patch version. Download updates manually and then double-click to install them. Once installed, reboot your PC and check.

We strongly recommend that you always run updated software on your system, as it is the best way to protect yourself against security vulnerabilities and benefit from the latest fixes and compatibility updates.

Something to take note is that you should always download the latest version of any software from official sources, or where that is not possible, from reputable websites.

Luckily, you can download Acrobat Reader DC from Adobe’s website with ease, so waste no more time.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Worried that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is not responding? Updating it will help you fix the issue in no time!

Free trialVisit website

2. Run the program in compatibility mode

  1. Go to the following file path:
    C:Program Files (x86)AdobeAcrobat Reader DCReader
  2. Locate AcroRd32.exe.adobe acrobat reader
  3. Right-click AcroRd32.exe and go to Properties.
  4. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  5. Right under Compatibility mode, check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for.
  6. Select Windows.
  7. Try launching Adobe Acrobat Reader DC again.

3. Run the program with Admin rights

  1. Go to the following file path:
    C:/Program Files(x86)/Adobe/Acrobat Reader DC/Readeradobe acrobat reader
  2. Locate AcroRd32.exe.
  3. Right-click AcroRd32.exe and go to Properties.
  4. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  5. Check the box next to where it says Run this program as an administrator.
  6. Try launching Adobe Acrobat Reader DC again.

4. Disable protected mode

  1. Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
  2. Click Edit.
  3. Go to Preferences.
  4. Uncheck the box next to Enable protected mode at startup.
  5. Click OK and re-launch Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

By following any of these steps, you should be able to get rid of the annoying Adobe Acrobat Reader DC not responding issue and read and edit your PDF file in peace.

If you know of any other fixes and solutions for this issue, let us know by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

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