A Running Instance of Acrobat Caused an Error? 100% Effective Ways to Fix

Stuck with the “A running instance of Acrobat caused an error” message? You’re not alone!

This issue has impacted some Acrobat users. It can occur when the program is frozen and you try to launch it from an outside source. It can be pretty frustrating, but don’t worry—there are ways to fix it quickly!

This article will show you how to resolve this error and get back to working with your documents hassle-free! We will guide you through seven simple fixes using manual ways and a powerful Acrobat alternative.

Are you ready for it? Let’s go!

Part 1. Why A Running Instance of Acrobat has Caused an Error

Several factors are responsible for the “a running instance of Acrobat has caused an error” message. Let’s break these down to some essential reasons below.

• Multiple Instances Running: You may have clicked several times to launch Acrobat. This results in several Acrobat windows running in the background, causing the error.
• Corrupted Installation: Damaged installation files can prevent the program from starting correctly. This can lead to “a running instance of Acrobat caused an error” message.
• Outdated Software: An outdated system software can cause compatibility issues with Acrobat. This results in random errors and an unresponsive program during use.
• Conflicting Background Apps: Sometimes, the fault may lie with something other than Acrobat. Instead, some applications running in the background may interfere and cause performance issues.
• Lack of System Resources: Your computer may need more resources to run the program smoothly. For instance, a low RAM or unreliable processing power can cause errors.

Now that we’ve noted what caused this error, let’s fix it!

Part 2. 7 Effective Ways to Fix “A Running Instance of Acrobat Caused an Error”

This section will introduce seven effective ways to resolve the “a running instance of Acrobat has caused an error” issue with stepwise guides.

Let's explore these solutions one by one!

Way 1. Use Acrobat Alternative to Open and Edit PDF

Random crashes and errors with Acrobat can be annoying, especially when working on urgent PDF tasks. But don’t worry! You can use UPDF to view and edit your files seamlessly.

UPDF is the best Acrobat alternative that offers most of the Acrobat features. It has everything from editing, creating, converting, and batch-processing PDFs to running OCR and chatting with an AI assistant.

It’s also much cheaper than Acrobat! Plus, you can use one license on all platforms, whether Windows, Mac, iOS or Android. So, why settle for less? Download UPDF now and start editing your documents more productively.

Now, let’s see how to open and edit your documents using it and bypass Adobe’s “a running instance of Acrobat has caused an error” issue.

Step 1: Launch UPDF and click “Open File” to import the PDF you need to edit.

Step 2: Go to “Edit PDF” from the left. Double-click your desired text to edit it. You can type new text, delete the existing one, or customize its style, size, font, etc.

Step 3: Click the image you want to edit and choose your desired tool from the revealed toolbar. You can crop, extract, rotate images, and more.

Step 4: You can also insert new text, images, or links to PDFs. To do this, go to the top toolbar and select the relevant tool from here. Then, click the page area where you need to add it.

That was easy, right? UPDF offers an advanced yet effortless solution to edit PDFs! Download and try it for free. Or, upgrade your plan at a pocket-friendly price to access it without limits!

Watch the video below to learn more about what makes UPDF the best Acrobat alternative!

Let’s move forward now and explore more ways to resolve this error.

Way 2. Restart Acrobat

One way to fix the “a running instance of Acrobat has caused an error” issue is to end the Acrobat using Task Manager and restart it. This will close all the background instances of the Acrobat and relaunch the program without any issues.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1： Search for “Task Manager” using the Start menu search bar and open it.

Step 2: Look for Adobe Acrobat under the “Name” section in the “Processes” tab.

Step 3: Right-click on the Adobe Acrobat and select “End task.” Similarly, close the additional Acrobat processes.

Launch Acrobat and see if the error is gone. If not, you can try our next fix!

Way 3. Repair Installation

“A running instance of Acrobat caused an error” message can also result from corrupted installation files. You can use Acrobat to repair these files and fix the error quickly. Let’s see how!

Step 1: Open Acrobat and click “Menu” from the top left.

Step 2: Hover over “Help” from the list and select “Repair Installation.”

This should fix the error caused by the damaged installation. If you cannot open Acrobat, use the following method to repair it.

Way 4. Repair Acrobat

You can also use the Windows Settings to repair Acrobat. This will help you remove the corrupted installation files if the Acrobat is not responsive. You can then reinstall the program to fix the error.

Here are the steps to do it.

Step 1: Click the “Windows + I” keys to open your PC’s settings.

Step 2: Select “Apps” from the new window. Click “Adobe Acrobat” from the list and press “Modify.”

Step 3: Windows setup wizard will open. Click “Next” and choose “Repair.” Then, follow the instructions on your screen to complete the installation process.

Still facing the “A running instance of Acrobat caused an error” message? Here’s another way to fix it.

Way 5. Reinstall Acrobat

An outdated Acrobat tends to hang often and can cause unexpected errors. If you’re using an older program version, reinstalling the latest version should resolve the error.

Let’s see how to reinstall Acrobat using the following guide.

Step 1: Look for “Control Panel” using the Start menu search box and open it.

Step 2: Select “Uninstall a program” from the many options available.

Step 3: Right-click “Adobe Acrobat” and select “Uninstall.”

Step 4: Reinstall Acrobat from Adobe’s site and see if the error is gone.

If the error still persists, don’t worry! Let’s move ahead and explore another solution to fix it!

Way 6. Restart Computer

Sometimes, the easiest solution is to restart your device. This is because the error message may result from random glitches with your device’s software. A quick restart will help reset the system and resolve any software issues.

Here’s how you can restart your device.

Step 1: Click the Windows icon from the lower left to open the “Start” menu.

Step 2: Select “Power” and click the “Restart” option.

Step 3: Wait till your device restarts. Then, launch Acrobat to check if the error is gone.

Now, let’s move on to the last fix on our list!

Way 7. Update Computer System

If restarting does not work, you can try updating your computer’s software. An outdated system can cause compatibility issues, resulting in random errors. Installing the latest system updates can help fix the “a running instance of Acrobat caused an error” issue.

Here’s how you can update your device.

Step 1: Open the “Start” menu and click “Settings.”

Step 2: Select “Windows Update” from the left panel. Click the “Check for Updates” button.

Step 3: Click “Download and install” if an update is available.

After the updates are installed, launch Acrobat. And there won’t be any errors now!

Final Words

That’s all about how to fix the “a running instance of Acrobat caused an error” issue! We have shared seven easy ways to help you. Use our guide to get Acrobat back in working order. Or, use UPDF as an alternative solution to edit your PDFs hassle-free. You can do most editing tasks for free, and pricing plans are much cheaper than Acrobat's. Give it a try! Download UPDF now for a fast and efficient PDF workflow!