Fix Acrobat Sign Button Not Working After Selecting Digital ID
Question details
The user is unable to complete a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat because the dialog box stays open after clicking the sign button.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to digitally sign a PDF document using a valid certificate signature or digital ID.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Sign' button changes color to indicate interaction, but the 'Sign as' window fails to close, and the document remains unsigned.
Verify that your computer has an active internet connection for checking software updates, and ensure your Windows digital ID certificate has not expired or been revoked.
Disable the Modern Interface for Signing Documents
Reverting to the classic signature interface bypasses bugs in the newer UI that cause the 'Sign as' window to freeze.
Adobe recently introduced a modern user interface for handling digital IDs and signing documents. However, this interface can occasionally conflict with Windows certificates or specific registry settings, causing the interface window to hang indefinitely. Disabling it forces the software to use the legacy interface, which is reliably stable.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. Go to the top menu, select 'Edit', and click on 'Preferences'.
In the left-hand category pane of the Preferences window, select 'Signatures'.
Locate the 'Creation & Appearance' section and click the 'More...' button.
Uncheck the box that says 'Use modern interface for signing documents'. Click 'OK' to save it.
Close out of Adobe Acrobat or Reader entirely. Relaunch the application, open your document, and try signing the PDF again.
Update Adobe Acrobat or Reader to the Latest Version
Software bugs related to PDF signatures and dialog boxes are often patched in routine application updates.
Easily Sign Your PDFs using WPS Office
If you are continuously running into interface glitches when signing documents in Acrobat, WPS Office offers a stable, lightweight, and efficient built-in PDF editor where you can seamlessly add digital signatures without frustrating freezes.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document that needs your digital signature.
- 2. Navigate to PDF Signature: Click on the 'Protect' tab or 'Fill & Sign' features located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Create or Import Signature: Click 'Sign', where you can draw, type, or import an existing digital certificate securely.
- 4. Finalize and Save: Place your signature in the designated field and save your document to successfully embed the digital ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Sign as' window remain open in Acrobat even after clicking Sign?
This commonly happens due to buggy interactions within Adobe's 'modern interface' for digital signatures. Disabling this modern interface mode in the Preferences typically allows the document window to proceed and finalize the signing process.
Are my Windows digital ID certificates corrupted if the button turns blue but does nothing?
No. The color change indicates the click was registered by the application, meaning the problem lies strictly within the Acrobat user interface rather than your actual digital ID certificate. Your digital ID is still valid.
Can I use WPS Office to digitally sign PDF documents instead?
Yes, WPS Office features robust native PDF tools that allow you to seamlessly insert visual signatures or secure digital certificates flawlessly, without triggering the dialog glitches often found in other PDF readers.
