How to Fix Acrobat Pro 2020 PDFMaker Registration Error in Microsoft Office
Question details
The Microsoft Office PDFMaker add-in stops working and displays a registration error after upgrading to Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 / Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to create a PDF using the PDFMaker add-in within Microsoft Office applications after an Acrobat version upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- The add-in fails to operate and shows an error message stating that Adobe Acrobat is not registered or the license is invalid.
Ensure you have the license key or Adobe ID used to purchase Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 on hand, and save all your open Microsoft Office documents before proceeding.
Activate and Repair Acrobat Pro 2020
Activating your Adobe license and running a built-in repair will usually restore the PDFMaker add-in's functionality by fixing broken registry paths.
Upgrading from older versions like Acrobat DC 2017 to Acrobat Pro 2020 can sometimes leave behind conflicting registry keys. Repairing the installation forces Windows to properly recognize the new version's COM add-in for Office.
Open the standalone Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 application. Go to the 'Help' menu and check if the software prompts you to sign in or activate. Follow the on-screen instructions to fully activate your license.
While still in Adobe Acrobat, navigate to 'Help' > 'Repair Installation'. Allow the process to run completely to fix any corrupted registry entries linking to Microsoft Office.
Once the repair finishes, restart your Windows computer to ensure all background services and registry changes are successfully applied.
Open Microsoft Word or Excel, go to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Add-ins'. Select 'COM Add-ins' from the 'Manage' drop-down at the bottom, click 'Go', and make sure 'Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin' is checked. Click 'OK'.
Export to PDF Natively with WPS Office
Avoid add-in compatibility issues and Acrobat activation errors entirely. WPS Office is a free, lightweight suite with built-in PDF conversion tools, offering complete compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Easily open your existing Microsoft Office files directly in WPS Office without losing any original formatting.
- 3. Export to PDF Instantly: Click on 'Menu' or the 'Tools' tab and select 'Export to PDF' to generate a high-quality PDF in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my PDFMaker add-in disappear after upgrading Acrobat?
Upgrading to a new version of Adobe Acrobat (like Pro 2020) can sometimes leave old registry keys intact or fail to register the new COM add-in with Microsoft Office. Repairing the Acrobat installation typically resolves this mapping issue.
How do I manually re-enable the Acrobat PDFMaker in Word?
Open Word, go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, change the 'Manage' dropdown to 'COM Add-ins' and click Go. Check the box next to Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin and click OK.
What should I do if my Acrobat license shows as expired?
Open the Adobe Acrobat application independently, sign out of your Adobe account, and sign back in. If the issue persists, verify your subscription status on the Adobe website or re-enter your 2020 serial number.
