How To Solve Adobe Error 148:3 [Step-by-Step Guide]

By Thomas G. Bass | October 12, 2019

Adobe error 148:3 usually appears when you try to run an Adobe product on your computer. This error code comes with an error message saying “Licensing for this product has stopped working”. 

Once you get this error code on your system screen, you will be unable to open the Adobe product and the system will freeze.

Generally, this error occurs is the installation process is faulty. This can result in the prevention of the licensing service to function correctly. 

This error can also occur if the Flexnet Licensing service is disabled. Sometimes, this error code can be caused by a corrupted Adobe product. 

However, you can easily fix it on your own. Read this entire article carefully and you will learn all the possible solutions to get rid of this particular error code from your computer.   

Prominent Solutions to Fix Adobe Error 148:3 

In the section below, we are going to provide the fixes that will help you get rid of the Adobe error 148:3 from the system. Follow them one by one until you fix this error on your system. 

Solution 1 – Turn On the Flexnet Licensing Service

If the Flxexnet licensing service has stopped working, then you may come across this error code on the system. So, you need to turn it on. Follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows Home button and R key at the same time to launch the Run box.
  2. Type services.msc and then select the OK button or hit the Enter key.
  3. When the Services window opens, scroll down the page and find the Flexnet Licensing Service, right-click on it.
  4. In the Properties window, set the startup type to Automatic and then select the Apply button followed by the OK option. 
  5. Once you are done with these steps, restart the system and then try to run the Adobe product. 

Solution 2 – Update the License Service

An outdated version of the License software can cause Adobe error 148:3 on the device. So, you need to update the license properly. To update it, follow the directions mentioned below.

  1. First of all, launch the Device Manager window.
  2. In the Device Manager window, select the Hardware devices section to expand it. After that, double-click on the Adobe license service folder.
  3. From that folder, locate the Installer file, right-click on it and choose the Update button. 
  4. The process will take some time to complete. After completing the update process, check if the error code still persists or not. 

Solution 3 – Remove the Adobe Product and Install it Again

A corrupted Adobe product or incomplete installation file can cause Adobe error 148:3 on the system. So, you need to remove the Adobe product and install it correctly. Let’s take a look into some steps that you can follow:

  1. Click on the Start button and move to the Control Panel section to open the Control Panel window.
  2. After that, double-click on the Programs and Features section.
  3. In the Programs and Features window, locate and select the Adobe products one-by-one and then click on the Uninstall button to remove them.  
  4. After uninstalling them, restart the system and then install them correctly from the official website of the Adobe.
  5. Once the installation process is complete, reboot your computer and then launch the Adobe products to check for the error. 

Solution 4 – Remove the SQLite Journaling File 

Sometimes, this error code can be generated by a corrupted or damaged database file. So, you need to remove it from the device. To do so, follow these steps carefully:

  1. Press the Windows Home button and E key to launch the Windows Explorer window.
  2. In that window, go to the following path: Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD\cache.
  3. From the Cache folder, locate and right-click on the cache.db-journal and then choose the Delete option to remove it. 
  4. After following these steps, reboot your device and then check if the error code still appears or not. 

Solution 5 – Rename the FLEXnet Folder

To solve the Adobe error 148:3 on the device, you need to rename the FLEXnet folder. The following steps will help you:

  1. Go to the Local C drive window.
  2. In that window, select Programs files and locate FLEXnet, right-click on it. 
  3. After that, select the Rename option to change the name of the FLEXnet folder. 

Solution 6 – Update the Operating System

If you are using an older version of the Operating System, then you may find this error code on the screen. So, it requires an update of your Operating System. To know more about it follow these steps:

  1. Hold the Windows Home button and press the I key to launch the Settings window.
  2. Double-click on the Update & Security section and then go to the Update tab.
  3. In the Update tab, click on the Check for updates button to check whether an update is available or not.
  4. If any updates are present, you will get to see an Update button, click on it. 
  5. Once the process is complete, restart the system. 

We hope, the above solutions will be helpful in fixing Adobe error 148:3. Let us know in the comments how the fixes were of help to you or which one worked in resolving the error.

Posted in Adobe