How to fix the "Acrobat failed to load core DLL" Error

Are you unable to open Adobe Reader or Acrobat due to the pop up "Acrobat Failed to Load core DLL? We've got the solution for fixing this pesky error.

Follow these 3 solutions, and your Adobe will go back to working as it normally should.

Solution 1: Repair Adobe Reader/Acrobat

1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features
2. Select Adobe Reader/Acrobat and hit "Change"
3. When given the option in the installer, select "repair" and then hit next.
4. Let the installer complete, and then close all Windows.

Solution 2: Disable Protected Mode

1. Acrobat X/XI
   1. Launch the application
   2. Go to Edit > Preferences
   3. Acrobat X/XI - Click on "Security (Enhanced)" and uncheck the "Enable Protected Mode at startup" box.
2. Acrobat Reader (Cloud)
   1. Launch the Application
   2. Click Menu > Preferences
   3. Click on "Security (Enhanced) and uncheck the "Enable Protected Mode at startup" box.

Solution 3: Reinstall Adobe

1. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features
2. Select Adobe Reader/Acrobat and hit "Uninstall"
3. Proceed through the prompts to remove Adobe Reader/Acrobat
4. Once it is removed, close all windows and browse to the Adobe Reader Download Page and download and install Reader. If you have Acrobat, re-install from the installer.
5. You now have your Adobe Reader/Acrobat back on your computer. This should fix the problem!

If you employ this fix, you should be back to normal. In the past, this issue could be caused by a Root Kit as well, so it's worth running a quick Virus Scan once you get this fixed.