How to fix the Runtime Code 1402 Could not open key [key name]

Symptoms of Code 1402 - Could not open key [key name]

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime Adobe Acrobat is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

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Causes of Could not open key [key name] - Code 1402

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 1402 (Schlüssel [Schlüsselname] konnte nicht geöffnet werden) - Schlüssel [Schlüsselname] konnte nicht geöffnet werden. Wenn Sie Adobe Acrobat oder Adobe Reader 7 oder höher unter Windows installieren, wird dieser Fehler angezeigt und die Installation wird beendet.
Come fissare Errore 1402 (Impossibile aprire la chiave [nome chiave]) - Impossibile aprire la chiave [nome chiave]. Quando si installa Adobe Acrobat o Adobe Reader 7 o versioni successive su Windows, viene visualizzato questo errore e l'installazione viene chiusa.
Hoe maak je Fout 1402 (Kan sleutel [sleutelnaam] niet openen) - Kan sleutel [sleutelnaam] niet openen. Wanneer u Adobe Acrobat of Adobe Reader 7 of hoger op Windows installeert, verschijnt deze fout en wordt de installatie afgesloten.
Comment réparer Erreur 1402 (Impossible d'ouvrir la clé [nom de la clé]) - Impossible d'ouvrir la clé [nom de la clé]. Lorsque vous installez Adobe Acrobat ou Adobe Reader 7 ou une version ultérieure sous Windows, cette erreur apparaît et l'installation s'arrête.
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 1402 ([키 이름] 키를 열 수 없습니다.) - [key name] 키를 열 수 없습니다. Windows에서 Adobe Acrobat 또는 Adobe Reader 7 이상을 설치할 때 이 오류가 나타나고 설치가 종료됩니다.
Como corrigir o Erro 1402 (Não foi possível abrir a chave [nome da chave]) - Não foi possível abrir a chave [nome da chave]. Quando você instala o Adobe Acrobat ou Adobe Reader 7 ou posterior no Windows, este erro aparece e a instalação é encerrada.
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 1402 (Kunde inte öppna nyckeln [nyckelnamn]) - Det gick inte att öppna nyckeln [nyckelnamn]. När du installerar Adobe Acrobat eller Adobe Reader 7 eller senare i Windows visas detta fel och installationen avslutas.
Как исправить Ошибка 1402 (Не удалось открыть ключ [название ключа]) - Не удалось открыть ключ [название ключа]. При установке Adobe Acrobat или Adobe Reader 7 или более поздней версии в Windows появляется эта ошибка, и установка завершается.
Jak naprawić Błąd 1402 (Nie można otworzyć klucza [nazwa klucza]) - Nie można otworzyć klucza [nazwa klucza]. Podczas instalowania programu Adobe Acrobat lub Adobe Reader 7 lub nowszego w systemie Windows pojawia się ten błąd i instalacja zostaje zakończona.
Cómo arreglar Error 1402 (No se pudo abrir la clave [nombre de la clave]) - No se pudo abrir la clave [nombre de la clave]. Cuando instala Adobe Acrobat o Adobe Reader 7 o posterior en Windows, aparece este error y se cierra la instalación.

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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