How to Fix Acrobat Error 16 When Redacting PDFs
Question details
The user needs to resolve an error that prevents them from applying redactions to a PDF document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying redactions to hide or permanently remove sensitive information within a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat displays the error message 'There was a problem reading this document (16)' and fails to apply the requested redactions.
Ensure you have saved a backup copy of your original PDF document, as the following process involves flattening the file, which may remove interactive elements like bookmarks or form fields.
Create a New PDF by Printing to a PDF Printer
This method flattens the document and removes the underlying structural corruption that triggers Error 16, allowing you to redact the file normally.
Acrobat Error 16 typically occurs when the PDF's internal structure is damaged, malformed, or contains incompatible elements. By printing the file to a virtual PDF printer, you generate a brand new, clean PDF file that retains the visual layout but strips out the problematic background code.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or your default PDF viewer and open the document that is displaying Error 16.
Click on 'File' in the top menu bar and select 'Print', or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac).
In the Print dialog box, locate the 'Printer' drop-down menu and choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF', 'Adobe PDF', or any other virtual PDF printer installed on your system.
Click the 'Print' button. A 'Save As' window will appear; choose a new name and destination folder for your flattened PDF and click 'Save'.
Open the newly created PDF file in Adobe Acrobat. Navigate to the Redact tool and apply your redactions. The Error 16 should no longer appear.
Use WPS Office to Secure and Manage Your PDFs
Avoid Acrobat-specific reading errors by handling your PDF security tasks directly in WPS Office. WPS provides a fast, lightweight PDF editor alongside its comprehensive document suite.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document using the built-in PDF viewer and editor.
- 2. Navigate to the Protect Tab: Click on the 'Protect' tab on the top ribbon to access security and privacy tools.
- 3. Apply Protection: Use the available security features to encrypt your file or obscure sensitive data, then click 'Save' to apply the changes permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Acrobat Error 16 when reading a document?
Error 16 usually indicates that the PDF file is damaged, malformed, or contains structural elements that Acrobat cannot process properly when trying to apply structural changes like redactions.
Will printing to PDF remove my bookmarks and hyperlinks?
Yes, printing a document to a virtual PDF printer creates a visually identical but structurally flat file. Interactive elements such as bookmarks, clickable hyperlinks, and fillable form fields will be lost.
Is drawing a black shape over text the same as redaction?
No. Drawing a black box over text only visually covers it; the underlying text can still be highlighted, copied, or read by screen reading software. True redaction permanently deletes the text data from the file's code.
