Update & Upgrade Problems

How to Fix Acrobat DC Pro 2015 Update Error 1309 and MSI Error 1603

Maira MehtabMaira Mehtab Nov 3, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to fix update failures for Acrobat DC Pro 2015 that result in specific Windows Installer errors.

How to Fix Acrobat DC Pro 2015 Update Error 1309 and MSI Error 1603
Product
Adobe Acrobat DC Pro 2015
Device & OS
Windows 10
Scenario
Installing updates for the PDF software application.
Observed behavior
The update process fails with error 1309 and MSI Installer error 1603, forcing an installation rollback and sometimes removing the Adobe PDF printer despite the user having administrative permissions.
Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your Windows 10 computer with an account that has full administrative privileges, and temporarily disable any strict antivirus or endpoint security software that might interfere with MSI installers.

Solution 1Recommended

Repair the Acrobat Installation and Apply the Correct Update Package

This is the primary method to restore missing components like the Adobe PDF printer and resolve standard MSI installer conflicts.

MSI Error 1603 is a generic Windows Installer error often caused by permission issues or missing files during the update process. Error 1309 usually indicates a problem reading from a file. Repairing the core application ensures all base files and registry keys are intact before applying the update.

1
Access Programs and Features

Open the Control Panel on your Windows 10 computer and navigate to the 'Programs and Features' section.

2
Initiate Software Repair

Locate Adobe Acrobat DC Pro 2015 in the list of installed programs, right-click it, and select 'Change' or 'Repair' to start the built-in repair wizard.

3
Complete the Repair Process

Follow the on-screen prompts to repair the installation. This step will help restore the Adobe PDF printer if it was removed during the rollback.

4
Run Update as Administrator

Download the exact update package for your specific Acrobat build directly from the official Adobe website. Right-click the downloaded update installer and select 'Run as administrator' to bypass basic permission barriers.

Repair the Acrobat Installation and Apply the Correct Update Package
Check Group Policies: Confirm with your IT administrator that no domain, local security, or printer-management policies are actively removing printer definitions on your network.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Adobe PDF printer disappear after the failed update?

When an Acrobat update rolls back due to an MSI Error 1603, it can inadvertently uninstall or break the existing Adobe PDF printer drivers. Repairing the Acrobat installation from the Windows Control Panel usually restores the missing printer.

What does Update Error 1309 mean during an installation?

Error 1309 is a Windows Installer error indicating that the setup program cannot read a specific file from the installation package. This is often caused by permission limitations, strict antivirus interference, or a corrupted source file.

Does having administrator permissions guarantee the update will install successfully?

No. Even with a full administrator account, specific system folders or registry keys may be locked by security software, local machine policies, or corrupted Windows Installer services, which will still trigger an MSI Error 1603 during the update.