How to Fix Internet Explorer Crashes Caused by Acrobat.dll
Question details
Internet Explorer crashes unexpectedly when attempting to open or view embedded PDF files.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat, Internet Explorer
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening embedded PDF documents within the Internet Explorer browser window.
- Observed behavior
- The browser crashes and closes. The Windows Event Viewer identifies Acrobat.dll, Acrobat.dll_unloaded, or MSVCR90.dll as the faulting module.
Open the Windows Event Viewer and check the Application logs to verify that Acrobat.dll or MSVCR90.dll is explicitly listed as the faulting module during the browser crash.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Build
Installing the latest patch for Acrobat resolves known bugs and DLL conflicts that cause the browser plugin to crash.
This crash is a documented issue in older builds of Acrobat (such as version 15.006.30306). Updating to at least version 15.006.30394 or higher is known to patch the integration error and restore browser stability.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat application from your Windows Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Click on the 'Help' menu at the top of the window and select 'Check for Updates' from the drop-down list.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest available version. Ensure the version installed is 15.006.30394 or newer.
Restart your computer, open Internet Explorer, and try loading an embedded PDF to confirm the issue is resolved.
Adjust Acrobat Internet and Connection Preferences
Modifying how Acrobat handles background downloads and internet speeds can bypass the plugin timeout errors causing the crash.
View and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid browser plugin crashes and outdated integration issues. WPS Office offers a stable, built-in PDF reader and comprehensive editor that operates independently, providing a secure and lightweight document experience without relying on Internet Explorer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat.dll cause Internet Explorer to crash?
The crash typically occurs due to version incompatibilities or bugs in the Adobe PDF browser add-on when trying to render embedded PDF content, which triggers an exception in the Acrobat.dll library file.
What is MSVCR90.dll and why is it listed in the Event Viewer?
MSVCR90.dll is a Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library file that Adobe Acrobat relies upon to function. When the Acrobat browser plugin fails, it often cascades and registers as an error in this foundational Windows module.
How can I stop PDFs from trying to open in Internet Explorer altogether?
You can force PDFs to open in a dedicated desktop application by managing your browser add-ons. Open Internet Explorer, go to 'Tools' > 'Manage add-ons', locate the 'Adobe PDF Reader' add-on, and click 'Disable'.
