Fix Word Crashing When Using Save As Adobe PDF with Acrobat XI Pro
Question details
Microsoft Word crashes after saving a document as an Adobe PDF using the File menu.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2013, Word 2016, Acrobat XI Pro
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user attempts to export a document linked to a macro-enabled template (with Quick Access Toolbar customizations) by navigating to File > Save As Adobe PDF.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF is created successfully, but Word crashes immediately afterward and prompts the user to disable the Adobe Acrobat add-in upon restarting.
Make sure your current document is saved and check if you have administrative privileges on your computer, as updating software or modifying add-ins will require them.
Update Adobe Acrobat XI Pro to the Latest Version
Updating to the latest patch (version 11.0.18) for Acrobat XI Pro can resolve known conflicts between the Acrobat add-in and Word macros.
Compatibility issues frequently occur when running older add-ins on newer versions of Word. Version 11.0.7 of Acrobat XI Pro is outdated and contains known bugs regarding macro-linked templates. Upgrading patches these vulnerabilities.
Launch your Adobe Acrobat XI Pro application from your desktop or Start menu.
Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown list.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install version 11.0.18 or the latest available release. Restart your computer once finished.
Use the Acrobat Ribbon Tab as a Workaround
If updating is not possible or does not fix the issue, utilizing the Create PDF button on the Acrobat ribbon avoids triggering the crash.
Create PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Tired of Word crashing due to third-party add-ins? WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative that includes built-in PDF conversion, ensuring high compatibility with Microsoft Word formats without relying on buggy external plugins.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 2. Export to PDF: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, select 'Export to PDF', and choose your preferred settings to save the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word prompt me to disable the Acrobat add-in?
When Word detects that a specific add-in caused a fatal error or crash during its execution, it automatically offers to disable that add-in on the next startup to prevent continuous crashing loops.
Does this crashing issue happen with all Word documents?
No. This specific crash usually occurs only in documents that are linked to templates containing macros, especially when those macros are assigned to custom Quick Access Toolbar buttons.
Can I still create PDFs if I disable the Acrobat add-in entirely?
Yes. If you disable the problematic Acrobat add-in, you can still create PDFs by using Word's native 'Save As' > 'PDF' feature or by selecting 'Microsoft Print to PDF' from the Print menu.
