How to Fix Acrobat Pro 2017 Cannot Open or Create PDFs on Mac
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 launches on a Mac but is unable to open existing PDF documents or create new ones.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to open existing PDF files or create new PDFs using Acrobat Pro 2017 on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The application opens successfully, but fails to load or generate any PDF documents, even though other PDF readers work normally.
Ensure your macOS is fully updated to a version compatible with Acrobat Pro 2017, and verify that the PDF files you are trying to open are not corrupted by testing them in another reader like Mac Preview.
Reset Acrobat Preferences and Verify File Permissions
Damaged preference files or incorrect file permissions often prevent Acrobat from opening documents. Resetting preferences forces the app to recreate them.
Corrupted preference files are a common cause of unexpected behavior in Adobe Acrobat on macOS. By moving these files, you force Acrobat to generate fresh, error-free settings upon its next launch.
Ensure Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 is completely closed on your Mac. Right-click the Acrobat icon in the Dock and select 'Quit'.
Open Finder, hold down the 'Option' key on your keyboard, and click 'Go' > 'Library' in the top menu bar. Navigate to the 'Preferences' folder.
Find the 'com.adobe.Acrobat.Pro.plist' file and the 'Acrobat' folder. Drag them to your desktop to serve as a backup.
Right-click the PDF file you are trying to open, select 'Get Info', and ensure your user account has 'Read & Write' privileges under the 'Sharing & Permissions' section at the bottom.
Open Acrobat Pro 2017 again. The preference files will be recreated automatically. Try opening the PDF file to see if the issue is resolved.
Apply Adobe's Official PDF Opening Fixes
Follow Adobe's official troubleshooting steps for PDFs that won't open on Mac, including testing local files and updating the software.
Use WPS Office to Open, Edit, and Create PDFs on Mac
If Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 continues to fail on your Mac, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free, and highly compatible alternative. It includes a powerful built-in PDF editor that lets you seamlessly open, view, edit, and create PDF documents without the hassle of complex troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Pro 2017 open but fail to load my PDF files?
This usually happens due to corrupted application preference files, incorrect macOS file permissions, or compatibility issues between Acrobat 2017 and newer macOS updates.
How do I know if my PDF file is corrupted or if it's an Acrobat issue?
Try opening the PDF file using Mac's built-in Preview app or a web browser like Chrome or Safari. If the file opens in these applications, the issue is with Acrobat. If it fails to open anywhere, the PDF file itself is likely corrupted.
Is Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 still supported on the latest macOS?
Adobe Acrobat 2017 reached its end of support in June 2022. It may not be fully compatible with newer macOS versions like macOS Ventura or Sonoma, which can lead to unexpected bugs such as failing to open or create files.
Can I create PDFs on Mac without using Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, you can create PDFs using Mac's built-in 'Print to PDF' feature from almost any application, or by using alternative software like WPS Office, which offers comprehensive PDF creation and editing tools.
