Activation errors in Adobe Digital Editions

When you activate Adobe Digital Editions, do you receive an error? If so, try the solutions on this page to resolve the issue.

This error occurs when the authorization information is damaged. Follow these steps to rebuild the activation file.

macOS

Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, and 10 versions

Troubleshooting reauthorization and deauthorization issues on Windows

If the deauthorizing process is unsuccessful on Windows, it is possible to modify the registry to remove the activation information.

1. Close all applications.
2. Choose Start > Run.
3. In the Open text box, type regedit, and then press Enter. The Registry Editor opens.
4. In the left pane of the Registry Editor, locate the registry key, HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adept\Activation
5. Select the Adept key.
6. Choose File > Export.
7. In the Export Registry File dialog box, select Selected Branch under Export Range. Enter a name and location for the backup registry key. Click Save.
8. Right-click the Adept key and choose Delete.
9. In the Confirm Key Delete dialog, click OK.
10. Close the Registry Editor.
11. Open Adobe Digital Editions and reauthorize.

E_ADEPT_REQUEST_EXPIRED

This error may occur when you activate Adobe Digital Editions or read epubs.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, make sure that the machine’s system time, date, and time zone matches the time/date/zone when you purchased the PDF or epub.

Additional information

When you download a PDF or epub, the Adobe activation server records the timestamp. This information is stored inside the book. When you open the book, this information is compared to your current system’s information. If your system has an incorrect time/date/time zone, the activation server ignores the request and you cannot read the book.

One of the following system settings (or a combination of them) causes this error:

• Incorrect clock time
• Incorrect date
• Incorrect time zone

E_AUTH_USERID_INUSE

This error may occur if you have initially activated Adobe Digital Editions as an anonymous user, and are now trying to associate an Adobe ID with that anonymous activation. 

Resolution

To fix this issue, you can take one of the following actions:

Delete the anonymous activation (on Windows: Ctrl-Shift-D, on Mac: Cmd-Shift-D) , and authorize Adobe Digital Editions with your current Adobe ID. 

OR

Create a new AdobeID, and use the new ID to authorize your account. 

Other activation errors

Some of the other activation error codes you may face are listed below: