Fix Acrobat Pro 2017 Crashes and PDF File Not Found Errors on Mac
Question details
Users are experiencing application crashes, unresponsiveness, or 'file not found' errors when attempting to open PDF files in Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Opening PDF files after a macOS upgrade or when accessing files stored on network drives and cloud locations.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat Pro 2017 crashes, stops responding, or displays an error message stating that the PDF file cannot be found.
Ensure your macOS is fully updated and save any unsaved work in other applications before restarting your computer to troubleshoot.
Restart Mac and Move PDF to Local Drive
Network interruptions or cloud sync issues can cause 'file not found' errors. Moving the file locally often resolves this.
Accessing PDFs directly from cloud storage or network drives can sometimes trigger crashes in older software versions due to delayed sync speeds or path resolution errors.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select 'Restart' to clear temporary system glitches and refresh background processes.
Navigate to the network or cloud folder to verify the PDF file still exists and has not been accidentally deleted or renamed.
Copy the PDF file and paste it into a local directory on your Mac, such as your Desktop or Documents folder.
Double-click the locally saved PDF to see if Acrobat Pro 2017 can now open it without crashing or freezing.
Repair Installation and Test New User Profile
If Acrobat continues to crash on all local PDFs, the application files or your macOS user profile preferences might be corrupted.
Open and Edit PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If Acrobat Pro 2017 continues to crash on your Mac due to OS compatibility issues, you can easily open, view, and edit your PDF files using WPS Office. It provides a highly stable, lightweight, and fully featured PDF environment.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install the free WPS Office suite on your Mac from the official website or Mac App Store.
- 2. Import the PDF: Open WPS Office, select the 'PDF' tab, and click 'Open' to browse and select your problematic PDF file.
- 3. View and Edit seamlessly: Read, annotate, or edit your PDF document smoothly without experiencing legacy software crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat say my PDF file cannot be found?
This typically occurs when the file is stored on a network drive, USB, or cloud storage (like iCloud or Google Drive) that has temporarily disconnected or hasn't finished syncing. Copying the file to your local Mac drive usually solves the error.
Is Acrobat Pro 2017 still compatible with the latest macOS?
Acrobat Pro 2017 is an older software release and may experience compatibility issues, unexpected crashes, or hanging after major recent macOS upgrades. You may need to upgrade to a newer version or use a stable alternative PDF editor.
How can I tell if the PDF file itself is corrupted?
Try opening a different PDF file from your local drive. If other PDFs open perfectly but one specific file crashes Acrobat or triggers an error, that individual PDF file is likely corrupted or improperly formatted.
Does creating a new macOS user profile fix Acrobat crashes?
Yes, corrupted system preferences or conflicting background apps in your current user profile can sometimes cause Acrobat to crash. Testing the application in a brand new local user profile helps isolate whether the problem lies with the app installation or your personal macOS account settings.
