How to Fix Cannot Apply PDF Redactions Error 16 in Acrobat
Question details
The user is unable to apply redactions to PDF documents and receives an error message stating 'There was a problem reading this document (16)'.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to permanently obscure and remove sensitive information from a PDF file using the redaction tool.
- Observed behavior
- The application fails to apply the redactions, displaying Error 16 even after the user reinstalls the application and moves the files to local storage.
Before attempting to fix PDF file corruption, ensure you save a duplicate copy of your original document so no existing data is permanently lost during the troubleshooting process.
Recreate the PDF Using the Print to PDF Feature
Error 16 often indicates a corrupted PDF structure. Printing the file to a new PDF flattens and recreates the document's underlying data, which usually resolves the corruption.
When a PDF document accumulates errors in its background code or metadata, editing tools like redaction can fail to process the file correctly. Using the 'Print to PDF' method creates a fresh, clean copy of the document structure.
Launch your PDF viewer and open the document that is generating Error 16.
Navigate to 'File' in the top menu bar and select 'Print', or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + P (Mac).
In the printer selection drop-down menu, choose 'Adobe PDF' or your system's default PDF printer (e.g., 'Microsoft Print to PDF').
Click the 'Print' button. You will be prompted to save the file. Give it a new name to distinguish it from the corrupted original.
Open the newly created PDF file and attempt to apply your redactions again.
Update the PDF Application
Software bugs in older versions of PDF applications can trigger false document reading errors.
Edit and Protect PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If you are struggling with persistent errors in other PDF software, switch to WPS Office. The built-in WPS PDF tool offers a highly stable environment for reading, editing, and securely managing your documents without the frustration of unexpected crashes or reading errors.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF file directly in the workspace.
- 2. Access protection tools: Navigate to the 'Protect' tab located on the top ribbon.
- 3. Apply security measures: Use the available tools to securely manage your document's sensitive information and save your changes smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Error 16 when editing a PDF?
Error 16 typically occurs when the internal structure of the PDF is corrupted, or when there is conflicting background metadata that prevents the application from properly reading and modifying the document's layers.
Does 'Print to PDF' reduce the quality of my document?
Printing to PDF can sometimes flatten interactive elements like fillable forms or hyperlinks. However, for standard text and images, the visual quality is usually preserved, making it an effective workaround for structural corruption.
Are redactions permanent once applied?
Yes, when applied properly in professional PDF editing software, redactions permanently remove the underlying text and images from the document's code, ensuring sensitive information cannot be recovered.
Can a corrupted PDF be fixed without third-party tools?
Often, you can fix a corrupted PDF using the system's built-in 'Print to PDF' feature. If this fails, you may need a dedicated PDF editor or a file repair utility to recover the document.
