Fix Acrobat Pro DC Tools Not Working After Windows Update
Question details
Specific markup and editing features in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC stop responding or functioning correctly after a system update or due to application conflicts.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to use features like Add Image, Highlight Text, Underline Text, or resize text boxes while editing a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The editing tools fail to apply changes to the PDF, become completely unresponsive, or exhibit buggy behavior like inability to resize text boxes.
Ensure that you have saved any open PDF documents to prevent data loss, and verify that you are logged into Windows with an administrator account before attempting to repair or reinstall software.
Update and Repair the Acrobat Installation
Applying the latest application patches and using the built-in repair tool can fix corrupted files caused by recent Windows updates.
System updates can sometimes misplace or overwrite shared system resources that Acrobat needs to function. Repairing the installation restores these essential files.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, navigate to the 'Help' menu at the top, and select 'Check for Updates'. Install any available updates.
After updating, go to the 'Help' menu again and click on 'Repair Installation'. Wait for the process to complete.
Once the repair finishes, restart your Windows PC to ensure all registry changes and file repairs take effect.
Remove Conflicting Adobe Software
Remove Adobe Reader if it is installed alongside Acrobat Pro DC, as having both installed simultaneously can cause tool functionality conflicts.
Use WPS PDF to Highlight Text and Add Images Easily
If your current PDF tools are failing after a system update, try WPS Office. Its built-in PDF editor provides stable, lightweight, and robust tools for adding images, highlighting text, and resizing text boxes without system conflicts.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office, right-click your PDF file, and choose 'Open with WPS Office'.
- 2. Use the Comment tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab on the top ribbon and select the 'Highlight' or 'Underline' tool to markup your text easily.
- 3. Add or modify images: Go to the 'Edit' tab and click 'Add Image' to insert new graphics, or click existing images to resize and reposition them.
- 4. Adjust text boxes: Click 'Edit Content' to make text boxes selectable, then drag the corner handles to resize them smoothly without glitching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDF editing tools stop working after a Windows update?
Windows updates can occasionally overwrite or alter system files, registry entries, or display drivers that Adobe Acrobat relies on. This disruption causes specific features, like text highlighters or image tools, to malfunction until the PDF application is updated or repaired.
Can having Adobe Reader and Acrobat Pro installed together cause issues?
Yes, having both applications installed can lead to software conflicts. They share many background components and registry keys, which can result in errors, crashes, or disabled editing features in the Pro version.
Is Acrobat Pro XI still supported on Windows 10?
No, Adobe Acrobat Pro XI has reached its official end-of-support. It is not fully compatible with newer builds of Windows 10 or Windows 11, which frequently leads to persistent bugs and non-functioning tools.
