Solved: “Can’t Sign a PDF Document” Issue [2024 Guide]
User Query: Recently, one of my co-workers sent me some PDF files to which I have to add my signature. When I opened the file and tried to sign the PDF. I found that the sign tool is disabled or not working and now I can’t sign a PDF document. Later I got to know that the file has certain restrictions. Now I want to remove it and make my signature on it. So, anyone can provide me with a quick and simple solution.
Like this query, there are certainly multiple queries with different situations but the end point is that they are unable to add signature to locked PDF. So, through this post, we will be explaining some working and efficient methods to quickly remove signing restrictions from PDF files or simply enable the sign option.
Before moving forward, first, let’s see if there are any restrictions applied to your PDF file. Afterward, we will get to know why users can’t sign a PDF document.
Here’s How to See the Restrictions Present in PDF
- Launch the Adobe Reader, then open the file and select Properties.
- Now using the Security tab select “Document Restrictions Summary”.
- Scan and check all the permissions written as “Not allowed” or “Allowed”.
- Based on the permission checking’s user can see what are the restriction(s) present in the PDF file.
If you see that the sign option is “Not Allowed”, it means that the signature restriction has been applied and now the user can not add a signature to a secured PDF. Moreover, the user can check whether the Sign symbol option is “Greyed Out” which signifies that the user cannot sign that PDF document.
Use this Expert Solution if You Can’t Sign a PDF Document
To unlock multiple PDF files for adding a signature, we generally suggest using a reliable and advanced solution like the PDF Password Protection Removal Software which is a better solution for unlocking and adding signs in locked PDF files.
For Windows OS Users:
For Mac OS Users:
The software removes permission passwords from PDF (Copy, Edit, Print, Extract Text, Comment, Form filling) from the documents. Apart from this, it proficiently eradicates user-level password protection from PDFs and can be used on both Windows and Mac users.
Steps to Remove the Signing Restrictions from a PDF Document
- Step 1) Download and install the expert software. Then, click the “Add File(s)” or “Add Folder(s)” button to insert PDF files.
- Step 2) Now, check and add the password for the required files and choose to Save or Print the signed PDF file.
- Step 3) Use the “Change” button to specify the location path for PDF file saving.
- Step 4) Now, it will show all the permissions as Disabled. Click the “Unlock” button to add a signature to the locked PDF.
Note – This solution is an ideal one for those who have multiple PDF files to unlock and add a signature in all the PDF files. For some countable PDF files, you can use the manual process (Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Application).
Use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to Manually Solve The “Can’t Sign a PDF Document” Issue
This method is useful for those who have the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC application and want to add a sign to a locked PDF file. Otherwise, they can go with the first method that we have explained above.
Guided simple steps, follow the steps properly to remove security, and add sign to PDF files.
- First, using Adobe Acrobat Pro choose & open the file.
- Now select the Fill & Sign option, then press the Sign option and press the Add Signature option.
- A pop-up message with 3 options will come (Type, Draw, Image.)
- Select the one you want to and hit the Apply button.
If you wish to put other permissions restrictions on your PDF files, for instance, copying, editing, printing, extracting pages, commenting, etc. Use the expert-favorite PDF Password Adder Tool. This commendable utility is specially deisgned to protect your PDF documents from unauthorized access by putting a document-open password or permissions restrictions on them. Along with that, yoyu can download and launch this utility on any Windows machine, and that too, without facing any version compatibility issues as the tool is compatible with all Windows OS versions. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and secure your PDFs with an expert-recommended solution.
So There You Have It
Before the PDF format was introduced, people used to deal with physical papers and use to sign on them. But when people started using the PDF format. It also provided the option to sign digitally for sharing and keeping them secured.
However, at times users can’t sign a PDF document that they receive as the secured PDF files don’t allow others to sign a PDF. So, to unlock the file and insert the signature, we have mentioned a manual method (using Adobe Acrobat) and a quick and efficient solution to let the user add a signature to a secured PDF.
Also Read: Know-How to Extract Images from Secured PDF Documents in Bulk