How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer High CPU Usage on Mac
Question details
The user's MacBook Pro is experiencing excessive CPU consumption and continuous fan operation caused by the Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer process.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS 10.15.6 (MacBook Pro 2019)
- Scenario
- Using Adobe Acrobat DC on a Mac and noticing the system fan running constantly due to background resource usage.
- Observed behavior
- Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer consumes an abnormal amount of CPU, causing the fan to run continuously. Force-quitting the application temporarily restores normal performance.
Ensure you save any open PDF documents and completely exit Adobe Acrobat to prevent data loss before attempting to reset or update the application.
Sign Out, Restart, and Update Adobe Acrobat
Resetting your Adobe account session and updating the software to the latest release often resolves synchronizer background processes that consume excessive CPU.
The Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer process runs in the background to keep your cloud documents updated. Sometimes, a stalled sync or a software bug in older versions can cause it to loop, overloading the CPU. Manually refreshing your session and applying official patches is the most reliable fix.
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, click on your profile icon in the top right corner, and select 'Sign Out'.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart' to clear out stuck background processes.
Once your Mac boots up, open Adobe Acrobat DC and sign back into your Adobe account.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', then select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest release.
Try WPS Office for a Lightweight, CPU-Friendly PDF Experience
If background sync processes in heavy PDF software continue to drain your Mac's battery and CPU, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly efficient PDF reader and editor that won't overwhelm your system resources.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and drag your PDF file directly into the workspace for instant viewing.
- 3. Read and Edit Smoothly: Enjoy fast, uninterrupted PDF reading and editing without heavy background processes draining your battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer?
Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer is a background utility process that keeps your Adobe Document Cloud files, preferences, and recent documents synced across multiple devices. It runs automatically when you use Acrobat.
Can I temporarily stop the synchronizer process on my Mac?
Yes. You can open the 'Activity Monitor' from your Mac's Utilities folder, locate 'Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer' in the list under the CPU tab, select it, and click the 'X' button at the top to force quit the process.
Why does my Mac fan run so loud when viewing PDFs?
If an application or its background processes (like cloud syncing or indexing) consume a high percentage of CPU resources, the internal components generate heat. The Mac's cooling fan spins faster to dissipate this heat and protect the hardware.
