Acrobat DC error: "Sorry something went wrong. Please try launching Acrobat first or contact your administrator"

Issue/Question

You receive the following error message on your Mac computer when launching Adobe Acrobat DC.

Sorry something went wrong. Please try launching Acrobat first or contact your administrator

Environment

This error may happen in macOS when Adobe Creative Cloud is installed on a computer that has previously used older versions of Adobe applications.

Resolution

Resolution:

Taken from https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-activation.html

1. Quit Acrobat DC/Acrobat Reader DC application if it's already running.

2. Download the AcrobatNGLEnableTool.zip file located in the Attachments section of this article. Extract the zip file.

3. Open Terminal, and run the following command - type the complete path to the file and press return:

$ chmod 775 <Path to the tool>

$ <Path to the tool>

For example,

<Device name> ~ % chmod 775 /Users/<username>/Desktop/AcroNGLEnableTool

<Device name> ~ % /Users/<username>/Desktop/AcroNGLEnableTool

4. Quit Terminal and launch Acrobat DC.

Note:  if after chmod 775 <pathway> terminal still won't run: 

1. Find the unzipped file.
2. Control-Click / Right click the unzipped file.
3. Select "Open With > Terminal".
4. In the pop-up, select the grey "Open" button.

If you need further assistance, please contact the Bowdoin College Service Desk