Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Stops Responding on macOS Mojave
Question details
The user needs to troubleshoot Adobe Acrobat DC freezing or becoming unresponsive on a Mac.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Launching Adobe Acrobat DC or opening a PDF after upgrading the Mac operating system from macOS Sierra to macOS Mojave.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat DC stops responding, freezes, or crashes, requiring a force quit.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save any open documents in other applications, as troubleshooting may require you to download system updates and restart your computer.
Update macOS and Adobe Acrobat DC
The most effective fix for app unresponsiveness after an OS upgrade is installing the latest patch updates for both the operating system and the software.
Compatibility issues frequently occur immediately after upgrading to a new major macOS version. Apple and Adobe regularly release incremental patches to resolve these freezes.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, select 'System Preferences', and click 'Software Update'. If an update (such as 10.14.1) is available, click 'Update Now' and wait for your Mac to restart.
Launch Adobe Acrobat DC. Click on the 'Help' menu in the top menu bar and select 'Check for Updates'.
Follow the on-screen prompts in the Adobe Updater window to download and install the latest patches, then restart your Mac.
Isolate the Issue and Apply Adobe System Diagnostics
If updates do not work, isolate the problem by checking if the freeze happens only with specific PDF files or upon application launch.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless, Crash-Free PDF Experience on Mac
If Adobe Acrobat continues to freeze or crash on your Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible PDF reader and editor that works smoothly on macOS, offering essential tools without bogging down your system or encountering compatibility bugs.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your PDFs smoothly: Right-click any PDF file, choose 'Open With', and select WPS Office to read and edit your documents without crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat DC freeze immediately after I upgrade to macOS Mojave?
This happens due to unexpected software compatibility issues between older versions of Acrobat DC and the newer macOS Mojave system architecture. Updating to at least macOS 10.14.1 and installing the latest Adobe patches typically bridges this compatibility gap.
What should I do if Acrobat won't stay open long enough to click 'Check for Updates'?
If the application freezes instantly upon launch, you can bypass the in-app updater. Visit the official Adobe software and product updates webpage through your browser, download the latest Acrobat DC patch installer manually, and run it over your current installation.
How can I check my exact Adobe Acrobat DC version on a Mac?
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, click on the 'Acrobat' menu in the top-left corner of the macOS menu bar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. A splash screen will appear displaying the exact version number installed on your device.
Can a corrupted PDF file cause Adobe Acrobat to stop responding?
Yes. If a specific PDF file contains corrupted metadata, overly complex vector graphics, or broken embedded fonts, it can cause Acrobat to freeze while trying to render the page. Test by opening a different, simple PDF to see if the issue is file-specific.
