Authentication failure

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Resolve plugin authentication errors by reinstalling Adobe InDesign and managing third-party plugins.

Adobe InDesign uses a security check to verify Adobe‑owned plugins and protect your system from unauthorized or malicious files. If this check fails, you see an error naming a plugin (for example, Article.rpln), and InDesign may crash on launch or open with limited functionality. These failures usually occur when third‑party plugins interfere with verification or when core InDesign files are corrupted. Identifying and isolating problematic plugins resolves the issue.

Third-party plugins are causing issues

Uninstall InDesign completely from the Creative Cloud Desktop application.

Reinstall InDesign without adding any third-party plugins.

Launch InDesign to verify it starts without authentication errors.

Test the application by creating a new document and accessing core features. After confirming InDesign works without third-party plugins, you can safely identify which plugin caused the authentication failure.

Install one third-party plugin at a time.

Restart InDesign after each plugin installation.

Test basic functionality (create a document, open menus, access panels).

Note which plugin installation triggers the authentication error.

Remove the problematic plugin and contact its vendor for an updated version.

A specific third-party plugin is incompatible with the authentication system in InDesign or modifies core plugin files.

Note

This authentication mechanism exists only on Windows. Authentication failures prevent InDesign from launching or accessing specific features, so resolving them promptly ensures an uninterrupted workflow.