Fix Acrobat DC Crashing When Opening Output Preview on macOS Mojave
Question details
The user experiences consistent crashes in Adobe Acrobat DC whenever attempting to launch the Output Preview tool or moving documents across screens after updating their operating system.

- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave 10.14.1
- Scenario
- Opening the Output Preview feature or dragging a PDF document from a secondary monitor to the main monitor.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat DC crashes and closes unexpectedly without rendering the Output Preview or properly moving the document window across monitors.
Verify your exact macOS version and Adobe Acrobat DC version, and ensure you have saved any open documents before applying updates or resetting preferences.
Update Acrobat DC to the Latest Patch
Installing the latest software patch resolves known compatibility issues and bugs introduced by the macOS Mojave update.
Adobe frequently releases patches to address specific crashes and OS compatibility issues. The update released on December 11, 2018 (version 2019.008.20080 or later) specifically targets crashes related to macOS Mojave.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat DC application on your Mac.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown menu.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest patch, then restart your Mac to apply the changes fully.

Adjust Full Screen Preferences for Multiple Monitors
Changing the monitor display settings can prevent crashes if you are using a dual-monitor or multi-display setup like a 5K iMac.
Test with Different PDF Files
Testing multiple documents helps determine if the crash is caused by the application itself or a corrupted specific PDF file.
Preview and Edit PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat DC continues to crash on your macOS Mojave system, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and stable PDF editor alongside robust Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives, allowing you to manage all your document tasks smoothly and for free.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installation package and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your Mac.
- 3. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select your PDF file to view and edit it effortlessly without crashing.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat DC crash on macOS Mojave?
Upgrading to macOS Mojave can introduce compatibility issues with older versions of Adobe Acrobat DC, particularly related to display rendering and multi-monitor setups. Installing the latest official patch from Adobe typically resolves these conflicts.
How do I check my current Adobe Acrobat DC version on Mac?
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, click on 'Acrobat' in the top left of the menu bar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. A pop-up window will appear displaying your current release and version number.
Will reinstalling Acrobat DC fix the Output Preview crash?
Reinstalling can help if your application files have become corrupted. However, adjusting your multi-monitor Full Screen preferences or simply installing the latest patch from Adobe is often more effective and saves time compared to a complete reinstallation.
Is there a stable alternative to Adobe Acrobat for Mac?
Yes, WPS Office offers a comprehensive and lightweight PDF tool that allows you to view, edit, and annotate PDFs smoothly on macOS devices, making it an excellent alternative if Acrobat crashes frequently.




