How to Re-enable Acrobat Add-ins in Microsoft Word 2016
Question details
The user needs to re-enable the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in in Microsoft Word 2016, which remains disabled even after attempting to manually activate it from the Inactive Application Add-ins list.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use Adobe Acrobat features within Word 2016, but finding the add-in completely disabled.
- Observed behavior
- The Acrobat add-in is automatically moved to the Inactive Application Add-ins list. Manually enabling it fails to persist, as it becomes disabled again immediately upon restarting Word.
Ensure that you have saved all active documents and closed Microsoft Word 2016 completely before attempting to repair Adobe Acrobat or modify your add-in settings.
Run a Repair Installation in Adobe Acrobat
Use Adobe Acrobat's built-in repair tool to fix missing or corrupted registry keys that prevent the add-in from loading correctly in Word.
When an add-in refuses to stay enabled after restarting Microsoft Word, the issue often stems from corrupted installation files within the add-in's parent program rather than Word itself. Running a repair from Adobe Acrobat can restore the necessary connection and registry items.
Ensure that Microsoft Word 2016 and all other Office applications are completely closed before proceeding.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat application on your computer.
Navigate to the 'Help' menu at the top of the Acrobat window and select 'Repair Installation'.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the software repair. Once finished, restart Microsoft Word 2016 and check if the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in is active in your ribbon.
Enable the Add-in as Administrator
Run Word with administrator privileges to ensure your COM Add-in preferences are permanently saved to the Windows registry.
Use WPS Office for Built-in PDF Conversion
If Microsoft Word 2016 add-ins continue to fail or crash your program, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a powerful built-in PDF converter—no third-party add-ins required.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word (.docx) files seamlessly.
- 3. Export to PDF: Click the built-in 'Export to PDF' button on the toolbar to instantly create high-quality PDFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Acrobat add-in keep disabling itself in Word?
Microsoft Word automatically disables add-ins that cause the program to load slowly or crash. If the Acrobat add-in exceeds the startup performance threshold, Word moves it to the Disabled or Inactive list to preserve software speed and stability.
How do I access the disabled items list in Word 2016?
Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, change the Manage drop-down list to 'Disabled Items' and click Go. If the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in is listed here, select it and click Enable.
Will repairing Adobe Acrobat delete my PDF files?
No, running a repair installation only restores missing or corrupted application files and registry keys for the software itself. It will not delete, alter, or affect any of your personal PDF documents.
