Fix Adobe Acrobat Unidentified Error When Creating a PDF
Question details
Users are unable to combine images into a PDF file due to an unidentified error message in Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to merge multiple images into a single PDF document using Adobe Acrobat DC and Illustrator on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF creation process frequently aborts with the prompt: 'No PDF file was created because Adobe Acrobat encountered an unidentified error.' Reinstalling the application fails to resolve the issue.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the internet and save any open Illustrator or Acrobat projects before proceeding with software updates.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Reader to the Latest Version
Installing the October 2019 patch (version 2019.021.20056) or a newer release provides the official bug fix for this specific PDF creation error.
Adobe has identified this workflow failure on macOS and released a dedicated fix. Rather than reinstalling the same faulty version, you must force an update to bypass the bug.
Launch Adobe Acrobat DC or Adobe Reader on your Mac.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates' from the dropdown menu.
Follow the on-screen prompts in the Adobe Updater to download and install version 2019.021.20056 or later.
Restart Adobe Acrobat and attempt to combine your images into a PDF document again.
Document the Workflow for Advanced Troubleshooting
If the error persists after updating, isolate the specific conditions causing the failure to aid further troubleshooting.
Easily Combine Images to PDF with WPS Office
If you are struggling with Adobe errors, use WPS Office as a fast and reliable alternative. The built-in WPS PDF Toolkit lets you seamlessly merge multiple images into a single PDF document without complex configurations or unexpected crashes.
- 1. Launch WPS Office: Open the WPS Office desktop app and navigate to the 'PDF' tab on the main interface.
- 2. Select Image to PDF: Click on the 'Picture to PDF' tool from the available PDF processing options.
- 3. Add Your Images: Drag and drop the images you wish to combine into the workspace, or click 'Add' to browse your Mac.
- 4. Merge and Save: Arrange the images in your desired order and click 'Convert' or 'Merge' to generate your new PDF file instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat say it encountered an unidentified error on my Mac?
This is a known compatibility bug in older versions of Adobe Acrobat DC on macOS, triggered specifically when combining certain image types or interacting with Illustrator. The issue was patched in version 2019.021.20056.
Will reinstalling Adobe Acrobat fix the PDF creation error?
Generally, no. If you reinstall using your original installer, you are just putting the same bugged version back onto your Mac. You must use the 'Check for Updates' feature to apply the necessary patch.
Are there other ways to combine images into a PDF on a Mac?
Yes. You can use the built-in Preview app on macOS to export images as a PDF, or use free, lightweight alternatives like WPS Office which includes a dedicated Picture to PDF feature that bypasses these Acrobat errors entirely.
