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PDF export fails in PDF Generator with error ALC-PDG-010-011 because of Acrobat security settings

Last update: Wed Dec 24 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

When exporting a PDF to Word, Excel, or other formats using PDF Generator in AEM Forms 6.5.23 on Windows Server 2022, the process fails with error ALC-PDG-010-011, indicating that PDFMaker cannot be contacted. This happens because of Acrobat’s enhanced security settings. To fix this, disable protected mode and enhanced security in Adobe Acrobat and restart the application.

Description description

Environment

  • Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Forms 6.5.23
  • Windows Server 2022
  • Microsoft Office 2021 (32-bit)
  • Adobe Acrobat DC 2025.001.20630

Issue/Symptoms

  • Exporting a PDF to Word, Excel, or other document formats using PDF Generator fails.
  • Error Code: 10011
  • Error Message: ALC-PDG-010-011 - Unable to contact PDFMaker. Please make sure Acrobat is installed and PDFMaker.dll is registered.

Resolution resolution

  1. Open Adobe Acrobat on the server where AEM Forms JEE is installed.
  2. Go to Edit > Preferences.
  3. Select Security (Enhanced) from the left menu.
  4. Uncheck Enable Protected Mode at startup.
  5. Uncheck Enable Enhanced Security.
  6. Restart Adobe Acrobat.
  7. Attempt to export a PDF to Word or another format through PDF Generator.
  8. Verify that the export completes successfully.

Notes:

  • The issue doesn’t affect DOCX-to-PDF conversion; only exporting from PDF to other formats is impacted by these security settings.
  • This solution applies when both Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat are properly installed and registered on the system.
  • If multiple servers are involved, repeat these steps on each affected server where exports fail.
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