How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Sign Feature Not Working on Mac or Windows
Question details
Users are unable to place, drag, or drop a stored signature onto documents using the Fill and Sign tool.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- Mac and Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to electronically sign a PDF document using a previously saved text, drawn, or image signature.
- Observed behavior
- The signature feature becomes unresponsive, fails to apply the signature to the page, or the stored signature simply does not drop when clicked.
Before proceeding with software repairs, open your PDF's properties to confirm that document security settings are not restricting commenting or signing.
Update and Repair the Adobe Acrobat Application
Outdated software versions or corrupted installation files are the most common reasons the signature tool becomes unresponsive across both OS platforms.
Acrobat's Fill and Sign module relies heavily on background components that can occasionally become corrupted during system updates. Running a repair on Windows or updating the software on a Mac will often refresh these dependencies and restore normal signature functionality.
Open Adobe Acrobat or Reader, click on the 'Help' menu at the top, and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the prompts to install any available patches.
If updating doesn't work on Windows, go to the 'Help' menu and select 'Repair Installation'. Allow the process to complete and restart your computer.
Open your PDF document again, navigate to the Fill and Sign tool, and attempt to place your stored signature.
Recreate the Signature Profile and Test Alternative Files
Determine if the signature failure is document-specific or caused by a corrupted saved signature image.
Easily Sign Your PDF Documents with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to fail or load slowly, you can quickly and securely sign your PDF documents using the built-in PDF tools in WPS Office.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your problematic PDF document using the WPS PDF reader.
- 2. Navigate to the Signature Tool: Click on the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon menu and select the 'PDF Signature' or 'Sign' option.
- 3. Create Your Signature: Choose 'Create Signature' to type your name, draw it using your mouse/trackpad, or upload a picture of your handwritten signature.
- 4. Place and Save: Drag the newly created signature to the desired line on your document, click to apply it, and save your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Fill and Sign option greyed out in my PDF document?
This usually occurs when the PDF creator has applied security restrictions to the file. You can check this by navigating to File > Properties > Security in your PDF reader. If signing is restricted, you will need the owner's permission or the permissions password to unlock the file.
How do I add a picture as my signature in a PDF?
In most PDF editors, including WPS Office and Acrobat, select the Signature tool, choose 'Add Signature', and opt for the 'Image' or 'Upload' option. This allows you to browse your computer files and select a scanned PNG or JPG of your handwritten signature.
Will reinstalling my PDF software delete my saved signatures?
Yes, completely uninstalling or repairing the software may remove your locally saved signature profiles and preferences. It is highly recommended to keep a backup image file of your handwritten signature so you can quickly upload and recreate it if necessary.
