For the majority of Windows users, Adobe Acrobat is the get-to PDF viewer. It's easy to use, a great tool for creating PDFs, and you can edit, print, and allow others to access your collection.

The software, however, sometimes acts up similar any other app, so you lot may experience a variety of problems while using information technology. A mutual upshot is when Adobe Acrobat Reader DC won't open PDF files. As such, hither are six fixes you can try to fix Adobe Acrobat Reader DC non existence able to open PDF files.

Getting Started

Before implementing any of the fixes, make sure the problem isn't occurring only with 1 PDF. Check any other file in the software. If all other files piece of work fine, redownload the PDF or call up it from the source you got it from earlier.

When yous are unable to open any of the PDF files, yous can proceed to the beneath fixes.

1. Run Adobe Acrobat as Administrator

Whenever you run an app equally an administrator, information technology has full access to all files of your operating system that would otherwise be restricted. As such, the first fix y'all should effort is to run Adobe Acrobat Reader every bit an ambassador. If Windows is stopping Adobe from opening PDF files due to missing or corrupted permissions, running it equally administrator will fix the event.

You lot can run Adobe Acrobat every bit an administrator by only left-clicking on the icon and tapping Run as administrator.

If the software is working well at present and opening PDFs normally, consider making this setting the default for Adobe Acrobat. Follow these steps to configure Adobe to run equally an administrator past default:

  1. Right-click on the Adobe shortcut and become to Properties.
  2. Navigate to the Shortcut tab in the Backdrop window.
  3. Tap on Avant-garde.
  4. Check the box for Run equally administrator and hit OK.
    Setting defaults

Note: Giving administrator privileges to programs that aren't backed past trusted sources can be dangerous. Always be conscientious of which programs y'all grant administrative rights to.

ii. Run Adobe Acrobat in Compatibility Fashion

With the Windows compatibility mode, older versions of Windows tin can be used as operating systems. There might exist some programs that piece of work better with an older version of Windows than an updated one.

If y'all are using an Adobe version that is not compatible with the current version of Windows, run information technology in compatibility mode. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Correct-click on the Adobe Acrobat shortcut and become to Properties.
  2. Navigate to the Compatibility tab in the Properties window.
  3. Check the box for Compatibility way.
  4. Choose any older Windows version from the available options.
  5. Tap on Apply and hit OK.
    Enabling compatibility mode

If compatibility were the problem, Adobe would begin opening PDF as usual. If non, make sure you turn off compatibility style before implementing the residual of the fixes on this list.

iii. Disable Protected Mode

Protected Mode is a security characteristic introduced in Reader ten.0 that protects users from viruses and attacks. This is a skillful thing for your security, but it sometimes misinterprets files as malicious and doesn't open them correctly.

As such, you tin can endeavour temporarily turning off this mode to come across if information technology'south preventing the software from opening PDFs. Here's how to exercise it:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run command.
  2. Type Regedit and tap Enter to open Registry Editor.
  3. Paste the post-obit address into the Registry Editor.
                  Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat\DC\FeatureLockDown
  4. Right-click and navigate to New > DWORD Value.
    Creating a DWPRD Value
  5. Rename the file to "bProtectedMode."
  6. Right-click the file and tap on Modify.
  7. Change information value to 0 to disable Protected Mode.
    Turning-Off-Protected-Mode-With-Data-Value-Set-To-0-Crop

Run the PDF file over again with Protected Mode off. Keep Protected Mode off if everything works well this fourth dimension instead of having to plough it on/off many times throughout the day. Of course, this volition compromise your security, so it'southward up to you lot to decide if it's worth keeping off!

4. Repair/Update Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

In the presence of Potentially Unwanted Programs, some of the files of software and apps tin can get corrupted. Corrupted files cause Adobe Acrobat to malfunction. The mutual issues are improper file saving, crashing issues, and software not properly loading all PDFs.

To make certain this isn't an issue, repair Adobe Acrobat once. This will repair any corrupt files and reinstall whatsoever missing files. To repair Adobe Acrobat, follow these steps:

  1. Open Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
  2. Navigate to the Assist tab.
  3. Tap on Repair Installation.
    Repairing the Adobe Reader DC installation

If the trouble persists afterward repairing the software, check for whatsoever available updates. An outdated version of Adobe Acrobat tin also lead to such a problem.

To do that, open Adobe Acrobat and navigate to Help > Bank check for Updates. Adobe will take some fourth dimension to check for updates, and yous can update to the latest version if it is available.

Check-For-Updates-In-Adobe-Acrobat-Reader-DC

In case none of the fixes work, you tin reinstall the software.

5. Reinstall the Software

Earlier you lot reinstall the software, uninstall it and delete any of the associated organization files that might still be lurking inside your computer.

To practise this, get to Command Console > Programs and Features. Once you lot have located Adobe Acrobat DC, right-click on it and choose Uninstall.

Uninstalling-Adobe-Acrobat-In-Control-Panel

Remove the associated system files by going to the below address on your figurer and deleting each file.

          C:\Users\<add your username here>\AppData\Local\Adobe\Acrobat

Next, you'll need to reinstall the latest Adobe version from Adobe's website.

Consider switching dorsum to Adobe Acrobat'due south older version if you are still having trouble even after reinstalling.

6. Whorl Dorsum to an Older Version of Adobe Acrobat

When a new version of software comes out, information technology frequently brings tons of unexpected issues. Y'all can always revert to an older version of Adobe that isn't working correctly later an update. But earlier y'all do that, make certain you properly uninstall it.

Once you're done uninstalling Acrobat, it's time to download an older version to see if that fixes your problem. Adobe lets you roll back your copy of Acrobat, and y'all tin can use 3rd-political party websites that host some older files; nevertheless, make certain the source is legit before downloading.

Open PDF With Ease in Adobe Acrobat

If nothing has worked, you can disable all background processing, update Windows or whorl it dorsum to an older version, and run a security scan to ensure that no viruses are interfering. Even if these options do non work, yous tin can try another reader for PDFs.

While there are many other Adobe Acrobat alternatives, PDFescape is a trendy i that you should definitely bank check out!

Are Gratis PDF Editors Skilful Enough? Adobe Acrobat Pro DC vs. PDFescape

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