How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Reader Has Stopped Working Issue?

"I'm using Adobe, and right before I open my file, Adobe Acrobat Reader suddenly stops working. I'm concerned about accessing this crucial file. Can anyone help me resolve this?"

Have you ever been frustrated that Adobe Acrobat Reader has stopped working just as you open an important file? It's a common issue, but don't panic! In this guide, we'll help and offer you practical solutions to resolve this problem. We want to ensure you can access your crucial documents without any interruptions. Are you excited? Let's dive in and troubleshoot Adobe

Table of Contents

01 Part 1: Why Adobe Acrobat Reader Has Stopped Working?

02 Part 2: 7 Ways to Troubleshoot Adobe Reader Stopped Working Issue

03 Part 3: BONUS: Best Way to Repair Damaged PDF File [Windows 10/11]

Part 1: Why Adobe Acrobat Reader Has Stopped Working?

Before diving into solutions, it's essential to understand why Adobe Acrobat Reader might suddenly stop working. Identifying the underlying causes can better tackle the issue and prevent future disruptions. Let's explore some common reasons behind Adobe Acrobat Reader crashes:

Part 2: 7 Ways to Troubleshoot Adobe Reader Stopped Working Issue

This section will explore seven practical ways to troubleshoot and resolve the issue, from updating your software to checking for compatibility issues. We always have your back, and we've covered you with simple yet effective solutions.

#1 Look for an Update

If your Adobe Reader is not working, Adobe hasn't been updated, causing it to malfunction. To resolve this, follow these steps to update Adobe Reader:

Step 1: Open Adobe Reader. Navigate to the "Help" tab and select "Check for Updates".

Step 2: If an update is found, proceed with the installation.

Step 3: After installing the update, the issue should be resolved.

#2 Place Adobe to the Antivirus Exclusion List

Occasionally, your Windows antivirus software might flag Adobe.exe as a potential threat. In such cases, it's advisable to add Adobe.exe to the antivirus exclusion list by following these steps:

Step 1: Open "Settings".

Step 2: Select "Update & security.

Step 3: Go to the Windows Defender and look for the Exclusion to click “Add an exclusion.”

Step 4: After that add Adobe.exe to the exclusion list.

#3 Use Adobe Repair Installation

Installing Adobe Reader may cause issues such as missing or corrupted files that lead to malfunction. Fortunately, Adobe Reader has a built-in feature called "Repair Installation," which addresses this issue.

Here are the steps to perform the repair installation process for Adobe Reader:

Step 1: Open Adobe Reader. Navigate to the "Help" tab and select "Repair Installation."

Step 2: Confirm your request by clicking "Yes" to initiate the process.

Step 3: After the repair process, resume using Adobe Reader and check if the problem has been resolved.

#4 Uninstall Windows Update

If you just updated your computer and Adobe Acrobat is acting up, we suggest returning to how it was before you did the update. Here are the steps to do so:

Step 1: Navigate to the Settings icon in the Start menu.

Step 2: Open Windows Update from there, then select Update History.

Step 3: Click on Uninstall Updates to proceed with reverting the update.

#5 Change Compatibility and Administrative Settings

If you're having trouble with Adobe Reader after a Windows update, the update has likely caused compatibility issues. However, you can try fixing this by adjusting the compatibility and administrative settings.

Follow these steps to repair Adobe Reader:

Step 1: Locate the directory where Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed.

Step 2: Right-click on the Adobe file and select "Properties."

Step 3: Go to the "Compatibility" tab. Choose your Windows version and check the box "Run this program in compatibility mode." Also, check the box "Run this program as an administrator."

Step 4: Click Apply, then OK. Try opening Adobe Reader again to see if the problem is resolved.

#6 Run Compatibility Troubleshooter

If changing the compatibility mode as suggested above doesn't solve the problem, Adobe allows a compatibility troubleshooter to pinpoint and resolve compatibility issues. Follow these steps to repair Adobe Acrobat Reader using the compatibility troubleshooter:

Step 1: Locate your Adobe Acrobat Reader and select "Properties."

Step 2: Go to the "Compatibility" tab. Click on "Run compatibility troubleshooter” and “Apply.”

#7 Install and Reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader

If the previously suggested solutions haven't resolved the problem, your next step should be to reinstall Adobe Reader. This will ensure a fresh installation, free from any internal bugs. Follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall Adobe Reader:

Step 1: Click on the "Windows" logo in the taskbar, then select "Settings".

Step 2: Navigate to "Apps" and look for the "Installed apps."

Step 3: Locate Adobe Acrobat and select "Uninstall".

Step 4: Visit Adobe Acrobat's official website to download Adobe Reader.

Step 5: Once downloaded, run the setup and follow the installation instructions.

Step 6: After installation, test Adobe Reader's functionality to check if the issue has been resolved.

In addition to potential issues with Adobe Acrobat Reader, problems may arise due to faults within the PDF file. Below, we've included an extra section addressing troubleshooting steps for PDF file problems. This offers comprehensive assistance for resolving such issues.

Part 3: BONUS: Best Way to Repair Damaged PDF File [Windows 10/11]

Sometimes, you might find yourself in a situation where you desperately need to access a crucial PDF file, only to discover it won't open properly. It could be a report for school, a legal document for work, or even just a recipe you've been eager to try out.

Regardless of the reason, when your PDF file refuses to cooperate, it can be incredibly frustrating. Fortunately, Repairit File Repair is a solution to overcome these hurdles and access your important files.

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• No limit to the number and size of the repairable files.

• Support Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, and macOS 10.10~macOS 13.

• Except PDF, Repairit also supports all formats of Word, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ZIP, and Adobe files.

Whether the issue stems from accidental damage, file corruption during transfer, or any other unforeseen mishap, Repairit File Repair offers a straightforward remedy. If you have a damaged PDF file, use the batch processing feature. Repairit allows you to fix multiple types of files together.

Moreover, if you added a file by mistake, you can easily remove it. Plus, the app will alert you if you try to upload a format it can't fix. It also shows you the progress of each file as it's being repaired or scanned.

Here’s how to fix damaged PDF file in Repairit File Repair:

Step 1: Download and open Repairit on your Desktop. After that, go to the "File Repair."

Step 2: After that, select "Add" to upload your damaged PDF files.

Step 3: Just select "Repair" to start repairing your PDF file. You can monitor the progress as it effectively works on your PDF files, resolving any issues it has.

Step 4: You can preview the repaired PDF files before saving them. Click the "Preview" button next to each file's icon to review the results and save it once satisfied.

Conclusion

Okay, everyone, we're finishing our talk about fixing Adobe Acrobat Reader has stopped working issue. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, huh? But no worries, with our help, you'll sort out those annoying crashes like a pro! So, follow these easy fixes, and soon, you'll zoom through your PDFs without any trouble. Here's to smooth sailing ahead with your PDF adventures!