How to Fix Acrobat DC Installation Errors C136 and 7 on macOS Mojave
Question details
The user is unable to install Adobe Acrobat DC on a Mac running macOS Mojave, as the installation hangs and throws error codes C136 and 7 despite reinstalling Creative Cloud.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Attempting to install Acrobat DC via Creative Cloud or standalone installer on a new Mac environment.
- Observed behavior
- The installation process hangs and eventually fails, displaying error code C136 or error 7.
Ensure you are logged into your Mac with an administrator account, as macOS requires elevated permissions to write application files into the system's Library folder during installation.
Troubleshoot Creative Cloud Error 7 and Review Installation Logs
Error code 7 usually indicates a problem with writing files or directory permissions. Checking the macOS installation logs will pinpoint the exact file causing the failure.
Error C136 indicates a general incomplete installation, while Error 7 usually points to permission issues or corrupted installer files on macOS.
Unlike Windows, macOS does not use a registry, so troubleshooting should strictly focus on file permissions and the Adobe Creative Cloud installation logs.
Open the Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G, and navigate to /Library/Logs/Adobe/Installers/. Locate the most recent .log.gz file associated with the failed Acrobat installation.
Open the log file and scroll to the bottom. Search for lines containing 'FATAL' or 'ERROR' to identify which specific file or directory the installer failed to access.
If the log points to a permission denial, navigate to /Library/Application Support/Adobe/. Right-click the folder, select 'Get Info', click the padlock icon to unlock, and ensure your user account has 'Read & Write' privileges.
Restart the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app and attempt to install Acrobat DC again from the 'Apps' tab.
Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Security Software
Strict Mac security software or third-party firewalls can sometimes block the Adobe installer from downloading required background components, triggering error C136.
Avoid Installation Headaches with WPS Office
If you are tired of complex Creative Cloud errors and bulky installations, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, comprehensive PDF editor and Office suite that installs seamlessly on macOS without demanding heavy system resources or complex directory permissions.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version of WPS Office.
- 2. Install on Your Mac: Open the downloaded .dmg file and simply drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Start Editing PDFs: Launch WPS Office from Launchpad and immediately start viewing and editing your PDF documents without complex setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does error C136 mean when installing Acrobat DC?
Error C136 is a general failure code indicating that the installation could not be completed. It usually requires checking the detailed installation logs to find the exact cause, which is often related to network drops or conflicting background processes.
Why am I getting Creative Cloud error 7 on my Mac?
Error code 7 on macOS typically means the installer was unable to write a necessary file or directory. This is usually caused by incorrect folder permissions in the /Library/Application Support/Adobe/ directory or interference from Mac security software.
Does macOS Mojave have a registry that needs fixing?
No, macOS (including Mojave) does not use a Windows-style registry. If you encounter installation errors on a Mac, you should focus on troubleshooting file permissions, clearing application cache files, or reviewing installer logs rather than looking for a registry cleaner.
