Fix Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader Not Launching/Not Opening In Windows 11

 

1. Restart your computer:

   • Click the Windows "Start" button (the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner).
   • Click the "Power" icon.
   • Select "Restart."

2. Repair or Reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader:

   • Repair:
     • Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel," and press Enter.
     • Click "Programs" or "Programs and Features."
     • Find "Adobe Acrobat Reader" in the list.
     • Click on it, then click "Change" or "Modify."
     • Select "Repair installation" and follow the on-screen instructions.
   • Reinstall:
     • If repair fails, in the same programs and features window, select “Adobe Acrobat Reader” and click uninstall.
     • Go to the official Adobe Acrobat Reader download page on the Adobe website.
     • Download the latest version.
     • Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Run as Administrator:

   • Find the Adobe Acrobat Reader shortcut (on your desktop or in the Start menu).
   • Right-click on the shortcut.
   • Select "Run as administrator."

4. Compatibility Mode:

   • Find the Adobe Acrobat Reader shortcut.
   • Right-click on it and select "Properties."
   • Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
   • Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"
   • Select an older version of Windows from the drop-down menu¹ (try Windows 7 or 8).
   • Click "Apply," then "OK."

5. Update Graphics Drivers:

   • Device Manager:
     • Press Windows Key + X and select "Device Manager."
     • Expand "Display adapters."
     • Right-click on your graphics card and select "Update driver."²
     • Select "Search automatically for drivers."
   • Manufacturer Website:
     • Go to your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
     • Download the latest drivers for your specific graphics card model.
     • Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

6. Disable Protected Mode (Caution):

   • Open Adobe Acrobat Reader (if it opens).
   • Click "Edit" in the menu bar.
   • Select "Preferences."
   • Click "Security (Enhanced)" in the left-hand menu.
   • Uncheck the box that says "Enable Protected Mode at startup."
   • Click "OK."
   • Restart Adobe Reader.

7. Clear Adobe Acrobat Reader Preferences:

   • Close Adobe Acrobat Reader.
   • Press Windows Key + R.
   • Type %appdata%\Adobe\Acrobat\ and press Enter.
   • Locate the folder named after the version of acrobat reader you have. For example "DC".
   • Rename that folder by adding ".old" to it. Example: "DC.old".
   • Restart Adobe Reader.

8. SFC/DISM:

   • Press the Windows key, type "cmd," and right-click "Command Prompt."
   • Select "Run as administrator."
   • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the process to complete.
   • After it's done, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth³
   • Wait for each command to finish.
   • Restart your computer.

9. Create a New User Account:

   • Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
   • Click "Accounts."
   • Click "Other users" or "Family & other users."
   • Click "Add account" or "Add someone else to this PC."
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new user account.
   • Log off of your current user, and log in to the new user account.

10. Check Event Viewer:

    • Press Windows Key + X and select "Event Viewer."
    • Expand "Windows Logs."
    • Click "Application" and look for any error messages related to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
    • Click "System" and look for any related error messages.
    • Note down any error messages you find.