How to Fix Topaz Signature Pad Not Working in Acrobat Reader on IE11
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where digital signatures fail to register when using a Topaz signature pad to sign a PDF in Internet Explorer 11.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader, Topaz Signature Pad
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to sign a PDF document using a physical Topaz signature pad while viewing the file within the Internet Explorer 11 browser environment.
- Observed behavior
- The digital signature does not capture or register on the PDF document when using the Topaz signature pad inside the IE11 browser plugin.
Ensure your Topaz signature pad is properly connected to your computer's USB port and that you have downloaded the latest hardware drivers from the official Topaz Systems website.
Use the Standalone Acrobat Reader Desktop Application
Bypassing the Internet Explorer 11 browser plugin and using the standalone desktop app resolves most hardware communication restrictions.
Older browsers like Internet Explorer 11 have restrictive plugin environments that frequently block external hardware devices like signature pads from communicating properly with PDF software.
In Internet Explorer 11, click the 'Save' or 'Download' icon in the PDF viewer toolbar to save the document directly to your computer.
Launch the standalone Adobe Acrobat Reader DC application from your desktop or start menu.
Navigate to 'File' > 'Open' and locate the PDF document you just saved to your computer.
Click on the signature field in the document and attempt to sign using your Topaz signature pad to see if it registers successfully.
Verify Topaz Plug-in Compatibility
If the desktop app also fails to register the signature, your Topaz plug-in might be outdated or incompatible with your current version of Acrobat Reader.
Sign PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating browser plugin errors and legacy IE11 compatibility issues. WPS Office provides a comprehensive, modern PDF toolkit that lets you view, edit, and sign your documents directly within a standalone application.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document directly from the main workspace.
- 2. Access the Signature Tool: Navigate to the 'Fill & Sign' or 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Sign' button.
- 3. Create and apply your signature: Choose to draw, type, or upload an image of your signature, then click anywhere on the document to place it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Topaz signature pad work in the desktop app but not in Internet Explorer 11?
Browser plugins in legacy browsers like Internet Explorer 11 have strict security sandboxes that often prevent external hardware devices (like a signature pad) from establishing a stable connection with the PDF viewer.
Is Internet Explorer 11 still recommended for PDF signing?
No. Internet Explorer 11 is deprecated by Microsoft and lacks modern security and plugin support. It is highly recommended to use a standalone desktop PDF reader or a modern browser for viewing and signing documents.
How do I know if my Topaz plug-in is compatible with my PDF software?
You can verify compatibility by visiting the Topaz Systems software download page, which lists the exact versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader and other PDF software supported by their latest plug-in releases.
