Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Not Responding? 7 Fixes to Try

If Adobe Acrobat Reader DC shows “Not Responding,” first close the frozen process and check whether the problem affects one PDF or every PDF. If Reader freezes with different files, update it and use Adobe’s built-in repair before reinstalling. The old “DC” label may still appear on a computer; Adobe’s current help pages call the desktop app Acrobat Reader or Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Save any form entries or comments you can before forcing the app to close. If the window is already frozen, unsaved work in that session may be lost. Work through the checks below in order, and stop when Reader works normally.

1. Close the frozen process and relaunch Reader

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Select Adobe Acrobat Reader (the older version may be listed as Adobe Acrobat Reader DC), choose End task, then open Reader again from the Start menu. If Windows still shows Reader as running, restart the computer before testing again. Avoid repeatedly double-clicking the PDF while the first instance is stuck; that can queue more launch attempts without fixing the hang.

2. Install any available Reader update

An older build can have bugs that are already fixed in an update. In Reader, open Menu > Help > Check for updates. In the classic interface, choose Help > Check for updates. Install any offered update and restart Reader. If it freezes before you can reach the menu, skip this step for now and continue to repair or reinstall. Adobe’s manual update instructions show the current menu path.

3. Repair the installation

Use Adobe’s repair command to replace damaged or missing application components without removing Reader. Open Menu > Help > Repair installation, confirm the repair, and follow the prompts. When it finishes, restart the computer and test a PDF. If the new menu is unavailable, Adobe also documents repair from the Windows Control Panel under Programs and Features; the available route depends on the installed version. See Adobe’s Acrobat crash troubleshooting steps.

4. Check whether one PDF is the cause

Open a different, small PDF saved on the computer, rather than a file still loading from a network share, email attachment, or cloud-synced folder. If that file opens and scrolls normally but one document keeps freezing, Reader may not be the problem. Download a fresh copy from the original trusted source or ask the sender to export the PDF again. If several unrelated PDFs cause the same freeze, continue below. Adobe’s guide to PDFs that will not open also recommends distinguishing document issues from Reader installation issues.

5. Make sure Reader is not forced into compatibility mode

A compatibility setting left over from an older Windows installation can interfere with launch behavior. Close Reader, right-click its shortcut, and choose Properties > Compatibility. If Run this program in compatibility mode for is checked, clear it, select Apply, and reopen Reader. Do not turn compatibility mode on as a general performance fix. Adobe’s Windows launch guidance specifically recommends checking that Acrobat is not running in compatibility mode.

6. Test Protected Mode only as a short diagnostic

Protected Mode isolates PDFs from the rest of Windows and should normally stay on. If the earlier fixes fail, you can briefly test whether a security-software conflict is involved: open Menu > Preferences (or Edit > Preferences in the classic interface), select Security (Enhanced), and clear Enable Protected Mode at startup. Restart Reader and test only a PDF you trust. Then turn Protected Mode back on and restart again, whether or not the test helps. Do not leave it off or use this test with unknown PDFs. Adobe describes this setting in its Protected Mode guide and says disabling it is for short-term troubleshooting only in its security troubleshooting guidance.

7. Reinstall Acrobat Reader

If Reader still freezes after repair, uninstall and install a fresh copy. Close Reader, then open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select Adobe Acrobat Reader, and choose Uninstall. If you do not see it there, use Control Panel > Programs and Features. Restart Windows, download the free installer from Adobe’s Acrobat Reader download page, and follow the installation prompts. Back up important PDFs before uninstalling, especially if you keep working files in unusual locations; do not download an installer from a third-party site. Adobe’s Reader installation instructions cover the current setup process.

If Reader still stops responding

Note whether the freeze happens at launch, while opening a particular file, or during scrolling, and whether it affects local PDFs as well as network files. If the problem continues after reinstalling, test with a different Windows user account or ask your workplace administrator to check for plug-ins, security software conflicts, or restricted permissions. Avoid deleting Adobe folders or changing security policies by hand. Adobe’s guide to collecting logs for crashes and freezes explains what information support may need.