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Slow PDF opening in Adobe Experience Manager after Service Pack 25 upgrade

Last update: October 28, 2026

After upgrading AEM Forms on JEE to Service Pack 25, PDFs can open slowly. Adobe’s hotfix listing identifies this issue as FORMS-27869 and includes a fix in hotfix build AEMForms-6.5.0-0134. To address the issue, confirm your Forms and application-server versions, then install the matching JEE hotfix using Adobe’s documented procedure.

Description description

Environment

  • AEM Forms 6.5.25.0 on JEE
  • Application server: JBoss, WebLogic, or WebSphere; use the package that matches the deployment

Issue/Symptoms

  • PDF documents open slowly after installing AEM Forms Service Pack 25.
  • The issue affects signed PDFs and can also affect other documents.

Cause

Adobe lists slow PDF opening as issue FORMS-27869 for AEM Forms 6.5.25.0 JEE deployments and provides a fix in hotfix build AEMForms-6.5.0-0134. Use Adobe’s platform-specific hotfix and JEE installation instructions rather than manually replacing the signature DSC file.

Resolution resolution

Follow the AEM Forms JEE hotfix instructions for the application server and operating system in your deployment:

  1. Confirm that the environment is AEM Forms 6.5.25.0 on JEE and identify the application server and operating system.
  2. Back up the AEM Forms deployment as required by your change process. Adobe’s JEE patch instructions require backing up the deploy folder before installing a patch.
  3. Open Adobe’s AEM Forms Hotfixes page. Select the SP25 JEE hotfix package for the correct application server and operating system. The current entry lists FORMS-27869 and hotfix build AEMForms-6.5.0-0134.
  4. Install the hotfix by following AEM Forms JEE Patch Installer and the deployment instructions for your application server. Complete all applicable steps listed for that hotfix. Note: Do not manually replace the signature DSC or change the LiveCycle/CRX password to a default value. Use the Adobe-provided platform-specific package and the credentials configured for your environment.
  5. Review the installer and Configuration Manager logs. Confirm that the hotfix installation and application-server deployment complete without errors. If the installation instructions require a restart or additional post-install steps, complete them in the documented order.
  6. Test representative signed PDFs using the affected workflow. Compare opening time and confirm that the hotfix resolved the reported behavior.
  7. If PDF opening remains slow, contact Adobe Support with the AEM Forms version, Service Pack, application server and operating system, hotfix build, sanitized installation logs, and steps to reproduce.
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