How to Fix the Capture 3D Plug-In Damaged Error in Acrobat 9
Question details
Users need to resolve a plugin damage error preventing the use of 3D features in Acrobat 9.

- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to use 3D features in Acrobat 9, often on a system with Kaspersky or other specific security software installed.
- Observed behavior
- The application displays a 'Capture 3D Plug-In Damaged' error message, typically caused by incorrect formatting or values in the AppInit_DLLs and SharedDlls registry keys.
Modifying the Windows Registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. Please ensure you fully back up your registry before proceeding with any of these steps.
Correct the AppInit_DLLs and SharedDlls Registry Values
Fixing formatting errors in the registry, such as missing commas or incorrect DWORD values, often restores the functionality of the plug-in.
This error frequently occurs because the Acrobat installer sometimes appends DLL information to existing registry keys without adding the required comma separator. Security software may also alter or conflict with these specific keys.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type 'regedit' into the text box and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
In the left pane, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Windows. Find the 'AppInit_DLLs' string value in the right pane.
Double-click 'AppInit_DLLs'. Look for 'acaptuser32.dll' or 'acaptuser64.dll'. If there are other entries listed before it, ensure there is a comma separating them. Add the comma if it is missing.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > SharedDlls.
Find the registry string that matches your Acrobat DLL path (for example, C:\WINDOWS\system32\acaptuser64.dll). Double-click this string, change its Value data to 2, ensure 'Hexadecimal' is selected, and click OK. Restart your computer.

Upgrade Your Document Workflow with WPS Office
Troubleshooting registry errors in outdated PDF readers can be frustrating and time-consuming. Try WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and highly capable alternative. It features an excellent built-in PDF reader and editor, while providing robust compatibility with all major Microsoft Office file formats.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the 'Free Download' button to safely get the latest version.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set it up on your computer.
- 3. Manage Your PDFs: Open WPS Office and seamlessly view, edit, or convert your PDF files without dealing with complicated plug-ins.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Capture 3D Plug-In Damaged error happen?
The error typically occurs due to registry misconfigurations. During installation, the software may fail to add a necessary comma before appending its DLL name to the 'AppInit_DLLs' registry key. Certain security programs can also conflict with these registry entries.
Which registry entries are responsible for the Acrobat Capture 3D error?
The error is directly tied to the 'AppInit_DLLs' value found in 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows' and the specific Acrobat file paths listed under the 'SharedDlls' key in 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDlls'.
Is Adobe Acrobat 9 still supported for troubleshooting?
Adobe Acrobat 9 is a legacy version and has reached its end of support. It is highly recommended to upgrade to a more modern PDF editor or a comprehensive alternative like WPS Office to ensure stability, better features, and system security.




