Adobe Digital Editions troubleshooting

Usage Notes

Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) is used for transferring eBooks borrowed from the ORL eBooks | OverDrive collection or to eReaders.

Due to security risks, do not use older versions of Adobe Digital Editions

If you choose to use ADE, please use the most up to date version available, ADE 4.5.

Older versions of ADE (version 4.0 and below) have security risks that could allow hackers to do harmful things to your computer.

 

Using an older version of ADE? Consider uninstalling the program: 

Instructions for Windows 10 computers  

Instruction for Mac computers

 

Alternate reading options

Use your browser

Read the book on your browser. Find Read in Browser option on the Checked Out page of your catalogue account, or the Loans page of on the ORL's OverDrive site. 

Use the Libby App

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, download and read the book on the Libby App.  

 

Troubleshooting Steps

Please note that library staff’s ability to help you with troubleshooting, downloading, and transferring eBooks using ADE 4.5 is limited to the steps and links provided below. 

Step 1. Deauthorize and reauthorize ADE

In many cases, deauthorizing and reauthorizing Adobe Digital Editions, can resolve the issue.

  1. Open ADE on the computer.
  2. If there is an eBook that you’ve downloaded that may triggered the error, remove that eBook from your library in ADE. Right-click on the title, click Remove from Library. It will remain checked out to you on your ORL eBooks | OverDrive account.
  3. Press the Ctrl-Shift-D keys on the computer’s keyboard (Command + Shift + D on Macs).  A pop-up window will appear asking you if you want to erase computer authorization, you may need to enter the password you are using for your Adobe ID, or OverDrive Account, to complete the process. Click Erase Authorization.
  4. Click Help, then Authorize Computer, enter your Adobe ID information again (or open the eBook vendor menu, and select OverDrive, then enter your OverDrive Account information). Click Authorize.
  5. Try downloading the eBook from your Loans page on the ORL eBooks site and then try transferring it to your eReader.

If your borrowed eBook is still displaying an error message, try to download and transfer a different eBook.

If you are still having trouble downloading eBooks to Adobe Digital Editions, try out the next step.

 

Step 2. Uninstall and reinstall Adobe Digital Editions 4.5

Sometimes uninstalling ADE, then reinstalling it, can resolve the issue you are having.

How to uninstall ADE

For Windows 10 computers  

For Mac computers

Reinstall ADE 4.5

Install the most current version of ADE.

If prompted, reauthorize it with your Adobe ID, or OverDrive Account:

  • In ADE, click Help, then Authorize Computer and enter your Adobe ID information again
    • Or, open the eBook vendor menu, and select OverDrive, then enter your OverDrive Account information.
  • Click Authorize.

Try downloading an eBook from your Loans page on the ORL eBooks site or try checking out and downloading a different eBook. 

 

Recover your Adobe ID or OverDrive Account and password

You will need to know the password for the Adobe ID or OverDrive Account that is being used to authorize Adobe Digital Editions and your eReader to complete the troubleshooting steps.

You will need to reauthorize Adobe Digital Editions with the same Adobe ID, or OverDrive Account, you had been previously using. Using a new or different account will prevent eBooks associated with your current account from opening.

How to check what email address you are using for the Adobe ID, or OverDrive Account

  • Open ADE
  • Click Help
  • Click Authorization Information.

In the overlay window, you will see the email address you are using to authorize the ADE, and whether you are using an Adobe ID, or an OverDrive Account.

How to reset your Adobe ID password

Have you forgotten the password for your Adobe ID? Here is how to reset it.

  • Go to  https://accounts.adobe.com.
  • Click Get help signing in.
  • Click Reset your password.
  • Enter the email address that you are currently using for the Adobe ID and click Continue.

You will receive instructions for how to create a new password at that email address.

How to reset your OverDrive Account password

Have you forgotten the password for your OverDrive Account?  Here is how to reset it.

You will receive instructions for how to create a new password at that email address.

 

Additional help

Troubleshooting steps can be found at the OverDrive Help website.

  • Try typing your error message into the search bar to see if there is help related to the trouble Adobe Digital Editions is giving you.
  • Or, try browsing through the following Troubleshooting topic page, click on the sections for eReaders, or Windows, or Mac to see if any topics may apply to your needs.

Adobe provides support through online articles, but no direct assistance for issues with ADE is available.

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