Fix Screen Turning Black When Signing PDFs in Acrobat or Reader
Question details
The screen turns completely black when attempting to click a digital signature field or save a PDF form.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user is trying to digitally sign a document or save a filled PDF form containing signature fields.
- Observed behavior
- The application screen goes black during the signing or saving process, preventing the user from completing the action and raising concerns about lost data.
Ensure you have saved a backup copy or a draft of your filled PDF form to prevent any accidental data loss before modifying your application preferences.
Disable the Modern Signing Interface
Turning off the modern signing interface often resolves visual glitches and black screens during the digital signature process.
The black screen issue is commonly linked to a rendering bug within the updated user interface for digital signatures. Reverting to the classic signing interface can bypass this glitch without affecting the security or validity of your signature.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. Go to the top menu, click on 'Edit', and select 'Preferences' from the drop-down menu.
In the Preferences dialog box, scroll down the categories in the left-hand panel and click on 'Signatures'.
Locate the 'Creation & Appearance' section on the right side of the window, then click the 'More...' button.
Find and uncheck the box next to 'Use modern interface for signing documents'. Click 'OK' to apply and save your changes.
Restart your PDF application, open your document, and try clicking the signature field again to verify if the black screen issue is resolved.
Sign Your PDFs Securely and Flawlessly with WPS Office
Avoid display glitches and black screens by using WPS Office to read, fill, and digitally sign your PDF documents. It provides a highly stable and intuitive interface for managing all your PDF signatures.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document or form you need to sign.
- 2. Navigate to the Fill & Sign Tool: Go to the 'Protect' or 'Fill & Sign' tab located on the top ribbon.
- 3. Add Your Signature: Click 'Sign' to create a new signature or insert your existing digital certificate securely into the document.
- 4. Save the Document: Apply the signature to the required field and click 'Save' to finalize your signed PDF without any display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my screen go black when I click a PDF signature field?
This is often caused by a rendering glitch associated with the 'modern interface for signing' feature in Adobe Acrobat or Reader. Disabling this specific feature in the Preferences menu usually resolves the visual bug.
Will I lose my entered form data if the screen turns black?
If the screen turns black before you successfully save the document and forces you to close the application, your recent unsaved data might be lost. It is highly recommended to save your progress manually before interacting with signature fields.
Does disabling the modern signing interface affect the validity of my signature?
No. Disabling the modern interface only changes the visual layout of how the application displays the signing process on your screen. Your digital signature remains cryptographically secure and legally valid.
What should I do if the black screen issue persists after changing the settings?
If the issue continues, ensure your PDF software is updated to the latest version. You should also try signing a different PDF file to see if the problem is specific to one corrupted document or certificate.
