Q. Why do I get an error message when I try to download ebooks?

Error messages can be frustrating. Below are two of the most common when downloading ebooks from our library databases.

Why do I get the message 'Unable to Download'?

You've tried to open the ebook on a secondary device with a different Adobe ID

This could happen because:

• The second device's Adobe Digital Editions software is not authorized under the same Adobe ID 
• The second device's Adobe Digital Editions software has not been authorized at all.

Check both computer' authorizations by opening ADE on both, clicking "Help" on the menu bar and then "Authorization Information" to see if the two email addresses are identical. If they are different, click "Erase Authorization" on the second one, then "Authorize Computer" with that first Adobe ID. 

You're using a memory stick

If you have saved the .acsm file for a title to a memory stick, move it to your computer before trying to open it.

The loan period has expired

This one is self-explanatory. Check that your ebook loan hasn't expired. If you need to, download it again.

Why do I get the message E_ADEPT_XML_SYNTAX?

Sometimes the Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) software used to download ebooks fails with the message "License Server Communication Problem : E_ADEPT_XML_SYNTAX".

To fix this problem:

1. Uninstall the ADE software on your computer
2. Restart your computer
3. Reinstall ADE from the Adobe site
4. Reauthorize it with a valid Adobe ID
5. Try to download the ebook title you want once more

If you've tried the solutions above and you're still receiving an error message, Seneca users can get in touch with us.