How to Fix Outlook PDFMaker Add-In Not Staying Enabled
Question details
The Acrobat PDFMaker add-in automatically becomes disabled in Microsoft Outlook after restarting the application or rebooting Windows.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to keep the Adobe Acrobat PDFMaker integration active in Outlook for continuous use.
- Observed behavior
- The PDFMaker add-in appears in the Outlook add-ins list but fails to retain its enabled status across application or system restarts.
Before modifying your add-in configurations, ensure that both Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Acrobat are updated to their latest versions, and save any open drafts.
Re-enable PDFMaker from Disabled Items and COM Add-ins
Use this method first to clear the add-in from Outlook's disabled list and force it to load as a COM Add-in.
Outlook will sometimes automatically disable add-ins that it perceives as slowing down the startup process. Even if registry values are set to load the add-in, Outlook's internal disabled list will override it.
Launch Microsoft Outlook, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, select 'Options', and then click on 'Add-ins' in the left pane.
At the bottom of the window, change the 'Manage' drop-down menu to 'Disabled Items' and click 'Go'. If 'Acrobat PDFMaker' is listed, select it and click 'Enable', then close the dialog.
Change the 'Manage' drop-down menu to 'COM Add-ins' and click 'Go'. Check the box next to 'Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin' and click 'OK'.
Close Microsoft Outlook completely and reopen it to verify if the PDFMaker tab remains visible and enabled.
Repair Applications and Verify Bitness Compatibility
Use this solution if re-enabling the add-in fails, as mismatched system architecture or corrupted installation files can force the add-in to disable.
Reinstall Adobe Acrobat
If the add-in persistently disables itself despite repairs, reinstalling Acrobat ensures a fresh integration with Office.
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- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite on your Windows PC.
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- 3. Export to PDF Directly: Click 'Menu' and select 'Export to PDF' to create high-quality PDFs instantly, completely bypassing the need for third-party add-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Outlook keep disabling the PDFMaker add-in?
Outlook has a built-in resiliency feature that automatically disables add-ins if it detects they are slowing down the application's startup, shutting down slowly, or crashing. Even if the add-in functions normally, a slow load time can trigger this protective measure.
How do I check if my Office and Acrobat are the same bitness?
To check Outlook, open the app, go to File > Office Account > About Outlook, and look for '32-bit' or '64-bit' at the end of the version string. For Acrobat, go to Help > About Adobe Acrobat and check the version details. Both must match for the add-in to function stably.
Does changing the LoadBehavior to 3 in the registry permanently fix disabled add-ins?
No. While setting the LoadBehavior registry key to 3 tells Windows to load the add-in at startup, Outlook's internal 'Disabled Items' list will override this registry setting. You must clear the add-in from Outlook's disabled list first.
Can I create PDFs from Outlook emails without the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in?
Yes. You can use the built-in Windows feature by opening the email, pressing Ctrl+P to print, and selecting 'Microsoft Print to PDF' as your printer. This saves the email as a PDF file without requiring any third-party add-ins.
