How to Fix Acrobat Update Error 16820 and PDF Display Issues
Question details
The user is unable to update Adobe Acrobat from version 2.0.0.0 to 2.3.0.0 due to error 16820, which results in PDFs failing to display properly.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Updating Adobe Acrobat software.
- Observed behavior
- The update fails with error code 16820, and PDF files display an X in the corner instead of rendering correctly.
Before proceeding with the troubleshooting steps, restart your computer and ensure you have a stable internet connection and sufficient disk space for the software update.
Disable Security Software and Retry the Update
Sometimes antivirus or firewall settings can block Adobe update servers, triggering error 16820 and corrupting the installation.
Overly strict security software can intercept the files being downloaded during the update process from version 2.0.0.0 to 2.3.0.0.
Navigate to your computer's antivirus or firewall settings and temporarily pause or disable the real-time protection shields.
Right-click the Adobe Acrobat desktop shortcut and select 'Run as administrator' to ensure the built-in updater has sufficient system privileges.
Open Acrobat, navigate to the top menu, click 'Help', select 'Check for Updates', and attempt the installation once more.
Repair or Reinstall Adobe Acrobat
If the update files are completely corrupted, repairing the current installation or performing a clean reinstall can resolve the display issue.
Try WPS Office for Seamless PDF Viewing and Editing
Tired of frustrating PDF update errors? Switch to WPS Office, a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative for viewing, editing, and managing your PDF files without the hassle of complicated updates.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF: Right-click the PDF file displaying the X icon, click 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
- 3. Set as Default: Check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files' to prevent future display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDF icons show an X after a failed update?
The 'X' usually indicates that the default program association is broken or the PDF viewer's installation files were corrupted during the failed update process, preventing Windows from rendering the thumbnail.
Will I lose my PDF files if I uninstall Adobe Acrobat?
No, uninstalling the PDF reader will not delete your actual PDF documents. Once you reinstall Acrobat or switch to another viewer like WPS Office, you can open all your saved files again.
How do I fix the broken PDF file associations in Windows?
Right-click any PDF file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', select your preferred PDF viewer from the list, and check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files'.
