🔧 [Guide] Fixing Adobe Digital Editions Activation Errors: E_ACT_NOT_READY / E_AUTH_NOT_READY
I recently ran into a frustrating issue with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) that prevented me from importing .acsm files. After trying multiple fixes and searching through forums, I finally resolved it. Here's a full walkthrough to save you the trouble if you encounter the same problem.
❗ Problem Description
I regularly buy books from Kobo/Google and import them into ADE using .acsm files. Everything worked fine until a few days ago, when I suddenly couldn't import any files. The error messages included:
-
E_ACT_NOT_READYorE_AUTH_NOT_READY -
ADE said "This computer is activated but not associated with an Adobe ID."
-
Re-authorizing failed.
-
De-authorizing also failed (requires Adobe ID input, but it errors out).
-
Reinstalling didn't help.
❌ What Didn't Work
-
Uninstalling and reinstalling ADE 4.5.x – still broken
-
Clicking “Deauthorize” from the menu – prompts for Adobe ID but fails
-
Rebooting, changing networks, disabling VPN – no luck
✅ The Working Solution
Install ADE 3.0 to manually remove the corrupted authorization, then re-authorize.
Steps:
-
Uninstall ADE 4.x
-
Use Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS) to uninstall.
-
-
Download and install ADE 3.0
-
Launch ADE 3.0 and press
Ctrl + Shift + D(orCmd + Shift + Don Mac)-
This opens the hidden deauthorization window.
-
✅ No Adobe ID required – it clears the old authorization directly.
-
-
Re-authorize the computer
-
Go to
Help > Authorize Computer -
Enter your Adobe ID and password to complete reactivation.
-
-
Re-import your .acsm file
-
Success! Books download and open normally again.
-
💡 Extra Tips
-
You can continue using ADE 3.0 – it’s more stable and doesn’t require login to deauthorize.
-
If you must return to ADE 4.x, authorize in 3.0 first, then upgrade.
-
Back up your EPUBs to avoid future DRM or licensing issues.
