Send & Receive Issues

Fix Adobe Acrobat PDF Email Stuck on Spinning Wheel in Outlook

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to send PDF files directly from Adobe Acrobat or Reader via email because the application gets stuck on an infinite spinning wheel.

Fix Adobe Acrobat PDF Email Stuck on Spinning Wheel in Outlook

Product: Adobe Acrobat / Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to send a PDF document as an email attachment directly from the Adobe Acrobat or Reader interface using Microsoft Outlook.
Observed behavior: The application becomes completely unresponsive, displaying a continuous spinning progress indicator, and fails to open the Outlook email draft.

Before you start

Make sure Microsoft Outlook is open, logged into your email account, and functioning correctly before trying to share a file directly from another application.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Outlook

Outdated versions of Adobe Reader or Outlook often cause integration conflicts that prevent the email draft from generating.

Software updates contain bug fixes for known integration issues between PDF readers and email clients. Ensuring both programs are running their latest versions is the most effective way to restore communication between them.

Update Adobe Acrobat

Open Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the on-screen prompts to install any available updates.

Update Microsoft Outlook

Open Microsoft Outlook, click on 'File' in the top left corner, select 'Office Account' (or 'Account'), click on 'Update Options', and choose 'Update Now'.

Restart Your System

After both applications have been updated successfully, restart your computer and attempt to send the PDF via email again.

Update Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Outlook

Check default apps: Make sure Outlook is set as your system's default email application in your Windows Default Apps settings.

Solution 2

Attach the PDF Directly from Outlook

Bypass the Adobe integration issue entirely by attaching the file manually within an Outlook draft.

Easily View, Edit, and Share PDFs via Email with WPS Office

Avoid frustrating integration glitches by using WPS PDF. WPS Office offers a built-in, lightweight PDF reader and editor that smoothly connects with your default email client, allowing you to share documents instantly without freezing.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS PDF and open the document you wish to share.
3. Send via Email: Click the 'Menu' button, hover over 'Share', and select 'Email'. Your default email client will instantly open a new draft with the PDF attached.

One-click PDF email sharing without software freezing or infinite loadingFully compatible with all standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office filesLightweight design ensures fast loading and smooth operation on any PCIncludes a free built-in PDF reader, editor, and converter

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Adobe Acrobat freeze when I click send as email?

This usually happens due to a breakdown in communication between Adobe Acrobat and your default email client (like Outlook). It is most commonly caused by pending software updates, incorrect default app settings in Windows, or a corrupted Adobe installation.

How do I set Outlook as my default email client to fix PDF sharing?

Open your Windows Settings, go to 'Apps', select 'Default apps', and search for 'Email'. Click on the current default email application and change it to Microsoft Outlook from the list.

Will reinstalling Adobe Acrobat fix the spinning wheel issue?

Yes, if updating does not resolve the issue, completely uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe Acrobat can replace corrupted integration files that cause the software to hang when communicating with Outlook.

Outlook & Email Problems