Fix Acrobat Pro DC 2015 Crashing When Using Fill & Sign
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2015 abruptly closes without an error message when attempting to use the Fill & Sign feature.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2015
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to add text or a signature to a PDF document using the Fill & Sign tool.
- Observed behavior
- The application crashes and closes silently without displaying any error codes, and standard troubleshooting like reinstalling or using the Cleaner Tool does not resolve the issue.
Ensure you have saved all open documents to prevent data loss, and verify if you are running the latest available update for Adobe Acrobat 2015 before proceeding with system changes.
Disable Protected Mode and Enhanced Security Temporarily
Disabling these security features temporarily acts as a diagnostic step to determine if Acrobat's background security protocols are conflicting with the Fill & Sign tool.
Sometimes the Enhanced Security feature in Acrobat can conflict with system files or specific document structures on Windows 10, causing sudden silent crashes during interactive tasks like filling forms.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2015 and navigate to Edit > Preferences from the top menu bar.
In the left-hand pane of the Preferences window, scroll down and select the 'Security (Enhanced)' category.
Uncheck the box that says 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' and turn off 'Enhanced Security'.
Click OK to save the changes, restart your computer, and try using the Fill & Sign tool again.
Reset Acrobat Preferences to Default
Corrupted preference files can cause unexpected application closures. Resetting them forces Acrobat to create fresh, error-free settings.
Create a New Windows User Profile
If Windows system-level corruption is causing the crash, testing in a fresh Windows user profile can isolate the issue.
Use WPS PDF to Fill & Sign Documents Without Crashing
Adobe Acrobat 2015 is an end-of-support product prone to unresolved crashing issues. Switch to WPS PDF Editor for a stable, robust environment to fill out forms and apply signatures effortlessly.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office, select 'PDF', and open the document you need to sign.
- 3. Access Fill & Sign: Navigate to the 'Fill & Sign' tab located on the top navigation ribbon.
- 4. Apply Signature: Click 'Add Signature' to easily draw, type, or upload your digital signature securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat 2015 close without displaying any error message?
Silent crashes typically occur due to conflicts with background security settings, outdated application versions, or corrupted user preference files. Disabling Protected Mode temporarily can help identify if security protocols are the root cause.
What does 'End of Support' mean for Adobe Acrobat 2015?
End of Support means the developer no longer provides technical support, bug fixes, or security updates for that specific version. This makes the software increasingly prone to unresolvable glitches, such as crashing during the Fill & Sign process on newer Windows updates.
How do I re-enable Protected Mode in Acrobat?
To turn the security features back on, go to Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced). Check the boxes for 'Enable Protected Mode at startup' and ensure Enhanced Security is turned on, then click OK and restart the application.
Are there free alternatives to safely sign PDF documents?
Yes, WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible built-in PDF Editor that includes stable and easy-to-use Fill & Sign features, making it an excellent alternative to outdated software.
