How to Fix Acrobat Pro 2017 Paper Capture Error 6 During OCR
Question details
Users are experiencing a persistent 'Paper Capture Error 6' when attempting to run OCR on scanned documents.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- Windows 7
- Scenario
- Converting scanned PDF documents or images into searchable text using the built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool.
- Observed behavior
- The OCR process abruptly fails and displays 'Paper Capture Error 6'. Reinstalling the software, updating the system, and replacing DLL files do not resolve the issue, though Acrobat DC handles the same files without error.
Verify that your Windows 7 system has the latest available OS updates installed, and ensure you are logged into an administrator account to allow changes to installation files and folder permissions.
Repair the Acrobat Installation and Fix Permissions
Running the built-in repair tool and ensuring Acrobat has full access to the temporary folders can resolve OCR component failures.
Paper Capture Error 6 often points to corrupted OCR language files or restricted folder permissions where temporary OCR data is processed. Repairing the application replaces broken files natively.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Repair Installation'. Allow the process to complete and restart your computer.
Press Windows Key + R, type '%temp%', and hit Enter. Right-click the Temp folder (or an empty space inside it), select 'Properties', go to the 'Security' tab, and ensure your user account has 'Full control'.
Create a new, simple scanned PDF and save it directly to your local Desktop. Open it in Acrobat and attempt to run the OCR tool to see if the error persists.
Upgrade to a Supported PDF Solution
Since Acrobat 2017 is no longer receiving bug fixes, migrating to a modern, supported PDF editor is the most reliable long-term solution.
Use WPS Office for Reliable PDF OCR and Editing
Since Adobe Acrobat 2017 is no longer officially supported and is prone to unresolved OCR errors on older operating systems, WPS Office provides a lightweight, modern, and highly compatible alternative. It includes a built-in PDF toolkit with powerful, error-free OCR capabilities to seamlessly convert scanned documents into searchable and editable text.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your PC.
- 2. Open Your Scanned PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on 'PDF', and open the scanned document you need to convert.
- 3. Apply OCR: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab and click the 'OCR' button to instantly extract text from your document and convert it into an editable or searchable format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Error 6 only happen in Acrobat 2017 and not Acrobat DC?
Acrobat 2017 relies on an older OCR engine that is no longer receiving active bug fixes or updates from Adobe. Acrobat DC utilizes a modernized architecture with regular cloud updates, allowing it to bypass legacy issues like Paper Capture Error 6.
What exactly is the Paper Capture tool in Acrobat?
The Paper Capture tool is Adobe's proprietary OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature. It scans image-based PDFs, analyzes the shapes of the letters, and converts them into selectable, searchable text layers.
Can replacing specific DLL files fix the Acrobat Paper Capture error?
While some forums suggest replacing specific OCR engine DLL files, this rarely fixes Error 6 permanently and can lead to further application instability. A clean repair or upgrading to a supported software version is the recommended approach.
Does WPS Office support OCR for scanned PDFs?
Yes, WPS Office features a robust OCR tool that quickly and accurately converts scanned PDFs or images into editable Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or searchable PDF formats.
