Fix Acrobat Stops Responding When Signing In After Windows 10 Update
Question details
The user is experiencing application freezes when attempting to sign into Adobe Acrobat after updating Windows 10.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Device & OS
- Windows 10 (version 1903)
- Scenario
- Signing into the Acrobat application after installing a major Windows 10 OS update.
- Observed behavior
- The application completely locks up and stops responding during the sign-in process, and the issue persists even after repairing the installation.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows 10 device, as you will need to access and modify system network or firewall settings.
Check and Reconfigure Your Third-Party Firewall
A malfunctioning or overly restrictive firewall can block Acrobat's connection to sign-in servers, causing the application to freeze.
Network security software and firewalls can sometimes conflict with background authentication processes after a Windows update. If Acrobat cannot reach its sign-in servers, it may lock up indefinitely while waiting for a response.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, locate Adobe Acrobat in the processes list, and click 'End task' to close the unresponsive app.
Locate your third-party firewall or antivirus software icon in the Windows system tray (bottom-right corner) and open its main settings dashboard.
Find the network protection or firewall toggle and temporarily turn it off. Launch Acrobat and attempt to sign in again.
If the sign-in succeeds, add the Adobe Acrobat executable to your firewall's allowed applications list. If the firewall itself is malfunctioning after the Windows update, consider updating or replacing the firewall software entirely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat freeze specifically after a Windows update?
Major Windows updates can occasionally reset network configurations or introduce compatibility issues with existing third-party firewalls. This causes the firewall to silently block Acrobat from reaching its authentication servers, making the app hang.
Can repairing the Acrobat installation fix the freezing issue?
If the freezing is caused by corrupt program files, a repair might help. However, if the root cause is an external network blocker like a malfunctioning firewall, repairing the installation will not resolve the connection timeout.
How do I force close an application when it stops responding on Windows 10?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Windows Task Manager. Locate the frozen application under the 'Processes' tab, right-click it, and select 'End task' to force the program to close.
