How to Fix Acrobat or Reader Error 16820 During Update
Question details
The user encounters Error 16820 when attempting to apply a software update to Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Updating the PDF application to the latest version using the built-in updater.
- Observed behavior
- The update process fails to complete and triggers Error code 16820.
Before proceeding, ensure you have a stable internet connection and take note of your exact operating system version and current PDF software version.
Retry the Update via the Help Menu
Attempting the update directly from the application's built-in updater can often bypass temporary glitches.
Network interruptions or temporary server issues can sometimes cause the initial update attempt to fail. Manually triggering the update from within the application is the quickest way to resolve intermittent connection errors.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro or Adobe Reader on your computer.
Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar of the application.
Select 'Check for Updates' from the drop-down list and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install.
Gather Details and Contact Support
If the built-in updater continues to fail, gathering specific system information is necessary for official support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Error 16820 during a software update?
Error 16820 typically indicates a failure during the download or extraction phase of the update process. This is often caused by unstable network connections, conflicting background processes, or corrupted temporary update files on your device.
Can I manually update my PDF reader to bypass Error 16820?
Yes. If the in-app 'Check for Updates' feature fails, you can go to the official software website, download the latest standalone installer for your operating system, and run it to overwrite the outdated version.
Is there a free, reliable alternative for reading PDFs?
Absolutely. WPS Office includes a highly capable, free PDF reader and editor. It is designed to be lightweight, fast, and fully compatible with all standard PDF files, making it an excellent alternative if your current software experiences frequent errors.
