Fix connectivity issues for Adobe apps

Last updated on 8 Aug 2024

Are you unable to download Adobe apps due to Internet connection issues such as no connectivity, limited connection, or not being able to access network drives? Learn how to fix such issues.

When downloading or installing Adobe apps, you might get an error that indicates you have connectivity or stability issues. To fix these issues, try the following solutions in order.

You require an Internet connection to download and update apps. Verify that you are connected to the Internet and click Retry.

Software firewalls restrict access to your computer. Some software firewalls prompt you when a program attempts to access the Internet. Users have reported instances where software/hardware firewall settings caused download errors to occur. The most common error associated with this issue is error 205. Other errors could result due to the firewall’s configuration.

If f prompted, allow the Creative Cloud desktop app to access the Internet.
If you are not prompted, disable software firewalls temporarily to determine whether they are preventing Internet access. See your firewall software documentation for help.

Temporarily disable the antivirus software. See your antivirus documentation for information on temporarily disabling virus check.

Many organizations use a hardware firewall and proxy server that can prevent software from accessing an outside server. A hardware solution applies to all computers within the corporate network. Most home networks don't use hardware firewall or proxy technology.

Contact your company’s IT department to obtain firewall or proxy information.
Configure your browser with proxy or firewall information.
Configure your corporate firewall to bypass the servers. The following servers are accessed:
- ccmdl.adobe.com:80
- swupmf.adobe.com:80
- swupdl.adobe.com:80

If you are connected via WiFi, try a wired connection. If you are connected via a wired connection, then try a different cable.

In some instances, network connectivity issues may arise due to hidden proxy settings on Windows machines. Follow the steps below to check for and eliminate hidden proxies:

Check for Hidden Proxies

To verify whether any hidden proxy settings are configured on your machine, execute the command below to display any configured proxy settings.

In the Windows search bar, type Command Prompt.
Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type netsh winhttp show proxy and press Enter.

Reset the Proxy settings using Command Prompt (Admin Permission required)

To reset the detected proxy settings on your machine, execute the command below to restore normal network functionality.

In the Windows search bar, type Command Prompt.
Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type netsh winhttp reset proxy and press Enter.
Restart your device.

The operating system hosts files that map host names to IP addresses. An incorrectly configured hosts file can affect your computer's ability to connect to Adobe's activation servers.

For Creative Cloud users

Resetting the hosts file can also resolve errors such as "The Creative Cloud applications are available in trial mode" or "Trial expiration."

Download the Limited Access Repair tool:
- Windows: Limited Access Repair tool for Windows
- macOS: Limited Access Repair tool for macOS
Extract the downloaded file, then run the Limited Access Repair tool in Admin mode.
- Windows: Right-click the tool and select Run as Administrator.
- macOS: Double-click the tool and enter the admin credentials to continue.
Read more about using the Limited Access Error tool.

Reset the hosts file manually

If the issue is not fixed even after you run the Limited Access Repair tool, reset the hosts file manually:

Reset the hosts file on Windows

To reset the hosts file on Windows, follow these steps:

Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc.

Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc.
Open hosts file with a text editor such as Notepad.

Note:

Run Notepad as an administrator when opening the file.
Check for any Adobe-related entries in the hosts file.

The hosts file contains important system-related data.

Note:

If the hosts file does not contain Adobe-related entries, no further troubleshooting is required. However, if there are Adobe-related entries, proceed to the next step.
Move the hosts file to the desktop.
Reopen the hosts file using Notepad and delete all Adobe-related entries.

Note:

Make sure that you don't delete any other entries.
Save the changes you made hosts file.
Move the file from the desktop to the original location and select the Replace option:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc

The updated hosts file should not include any Adobe-related entries. Make sure not to edit any other entries.
This resets the host file. You can now update or install your app successfully.

Reset the hosts file on macOS

To reset the hosts file on macOS, follow these steps:

To find the hosts file, open Finder and select Go > Go to Folder. In the box, type the following location and then press Return:

/private/etc/hosts

The etc folder contains several non-editable files, including the hosts file.

Note:

If you are unable to locate the file, it means that the hosts file is hidden. Type the following command in the terminal to unhide the file, then repeat the step:

chflags nohidden /etc/hosts
Open hosts file using a text editor such as Text Edit.
Check for any Adobe-related entries in the hosts file.

The hosts file contains important system-related data.

Note:

If the hosts file does not contain Adobe-related entries, no further troubleshooting is required. However, if there are Adobe-related entries, proceed to the next step.
Move the hosts file to the desktop.
Reopen the hosts file using your text editor and delete all Adobe-related entries.

Note:

Make sure that you don't delete any other entries.
Save the changes you made hosts file.
Move the file from the desktop to the original location and select the Replace option:

/private/etc/hosts

The updated hosts file should not include any Adobe-related entries. Make sure not to edit any other entries.
This resets the host file. You can now update or install your app successfully.