Fix Acrobat Pro Freezing and Running Slowly on macOS Catalina
Question details
The user is looking for a solution to severe performance issues, including freezing and lagging, when using PDF software to review documents after a system upgrade.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina
- Scenario
- Adding comments, highlighting, and reviewing PDF documents.
- Observed behavior
- The application becomes highly unresponsive, runs very slowly, and frequently locks up or freezes during the document review process.
Before proceeding, save any open PDF documents to prevent data loss and ensure you have an active internet connection to download any necessary software updates.
Update Adobe Acrobat Pro to the Latest Version
Installing the latest patch resolves software compatibility issues and performance bugs introduced by new macOS updates.
Major operating system upgrades like macOS Catalina often require corresponding software updates for third-party applications to run smoothly. Adobe regularly releases patches to address freezing and slow performance.
Open Acrobat Pro, navigate to the top menu bar, and click 'Help' followed by 'About Acrobat' to identify your currently installed version.
Click on 'Help' again from the top menu and select 'Check for Updates' to prompt the application to search for the latest macOS-compatible patch.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update. Once the installation is complete, restart Acrobat Pro and try adding comments to a PDF.
Repair or Reinstall Acrobat Pro
If updating does not resolve the lagging and freezing, a clean reinstallation ensures all application files are properly aligned with macOS Catalina.
Try a Faster, Lightweight PDF Alternative for Mac
If you continue to experience heavy lagging and freezing with your current PDF software, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightning-fast, resource-friendly PDF editor that runs smoothly on all macOS versions, allowing you to view, comment, and edit documents without performance drops.
- 1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website, download the macOS installer, and follow the simple setup instructions.
- 2. Open Your PDF Document: Launch WPS Office and drag and drop your PDF file directly into the workspace.
- 3. Add Comments Without Lag: Click on the 'Comment' tab at the top to smoothly add text boxes, annotations, and highlights to your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF software freeze specifically after a macOS upgrade?
Major OS upgrades like macOS Catalina introduce deep system-level changes and strictly enforce 64-bit architecture. Older application versions may struggle with these changes, leading to performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, and freezing during tasks like adding comments.
Will reinstalling Acrobat Pro delete my saved PDF files?
No. Uninstalling and reinstalling the application only replaces the software's program files. Your personal PDF documents saved locally on your Mac's hard drive or in cloud storage will remain completely untouched and safe.
How do I know if my installed Acrobat is compatible with Catalina?
macOS Catalina exclusively supports 64-bit applications. If your application opens on Catalina, it is already 64-bit. However, achieving smooth performance still requires downloading the latest specific patches designed for Catalina compatibility.
What should I do if the built-in 'Check for Updates' feature is unresponsive?
If the application is too frozen to use the built-in update tool, you can visit the software developer's official website, navigate to their Release Notes or Updates page, and manually download the latest patch installer for macOS.
