How to Fix Error 13 When Applying Digital Signatures in Acrobat
Question details
The user encounters Error 13 when attempting to apply an IdenTrust digital signature to a PDF document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying a secure IdenTrust digital signature to a PDF file for authentication.
- Observed behavior
- The application throws an error code identifying as Error 13 (previously thought to be Error 12) and fails to apply the digital signature to the document.
Ensure your IdenTrust USB token is securely plugged into your computer and save any pending changes in your PDF document before attempting to restart the application.
Restart Acrobat and Verify Certificate Setup
Restarting the application clears temporary software glitches, while verifying your drivers ensures Acrobat can successfully communicate with your IdenTrust token.
Digital signature errors often stem from temporary communication drops between the software and the hardware token. A simple restart is the fastest way to re-establish this connection.
Go to File > Exit to completely close Adobe Acrobat. Ensure no background processes are running, then launch the program again and attempt to insert the digital signature.
If the error returns, open your computer's device manager or certificate utility software to guarantee that the IdenTrust certificate and corresponding drivers are installed correctly.
Open your operating system's trust store or the token management app to confirm that the IdenTrust certificate is currently valid and has not expired.
Update or Repair Adobe Acrobat
Running an outdated or corrupted installation of Acrobat can cause signature validation mechanisms to fail and generate Error 13.
Apply Digital Signatures Easily with WPS Office
If Acrobat continues to block your workflow with Error 13, you can use WPS PDF to securely digitally sign your documents. WPS Office provides a robust, lightweight alternative with advanced PDF editing and seamless digital signing capabilities.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you need to sign.
- 2. Navigate to protection tools: Click on the 'Protect' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Select digital signature: Click 'Digital Signature' or 'Sign' to import your existing certificate or create a new electronic signature.
- 4. Apply and save: Click on the document where you want the signature to appear, then save the authenticated file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Error 13 mean in Adobe Acrobat?
Error 13 typically indicates a communication or validation failure between Acrobat and the digital certificate provider's hardware token (like IdenTrust) or system drivers, preventing the software from applying the signature encryption.
Will an IdenTrust digital signature work in other PDF readers?
Yes, as long as the digital signature is applied correctly and complies with standard encryption protocols, its authenticity can be validated in most standard PDF software, including WPS PDF.
How do I know if my IdenTrust certificate has expired?
You can check the expiration date by opening the certificate manager application provided by IdenTrust or by viewing the certificate properties directly within your Windows or macOS certificate management store.
