How to fix the Runtime Code 1603 Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation

Symptoms of Code 1603 - Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation

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.

(For illustrative purposes only)

Causes of Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation - Code 1603

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 7 - IE related Runtime Error

up vote 1 down vote accepted

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.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

up vote 0 down vote

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

up vote 0 down vote

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

up vote 0 down vote

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 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

up vote 0 down vote

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 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

up vote 0 down vote

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

up vote 0 down vote

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

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 1603 (Fehler 1603: Bei der Installation ist ein schwerwiegender Fehler aufgetreten) - Fehler 1603: Während der Installation ist ein schwerwiegender Fehler aufgetreten. Wenn Sie ein Adobe-Produkt installieren, kann der Fehler in Ihrer Installationsprotokolldatei erscheinen. Der Fehler 1603 ist ein MSI-Fehlercode, der auf einen generischen, aber computerspezifischen Fehler hinweist.
Come fissare Errore 1603 (Errore 1603: si è verificato un errore irreversibile durante l'installazione) - Errore 1603: si è verificato un errore irreversibile durante l'installazione. Quando installi un prodotto Adobe, l'errore può essere visualizzato nel file di registro dell'installazione. L'errore 1603 è un codice di errore MSI che indica un errore generico, ma specifico del computer.
Hoe maak je Fout 1603 (Fout 1603: Er is een fatale fout opgetreden tijdens de installatie) - Fout 1603: Er is een fatale fout opgetreden tijdens de installatie. Wanneer u een Adobe-product installeert, kan de fout in uw installatielogbestand verschijnen. De 1603-fout is een MSI-foutcode die een storing aangeeft die generiek, maar computerspecifiek is.
Comment réparer Erreur 1603 (Erreur 1603 : une erreur fatale s'est produite lors de l'installation) - Erreur 1603 : une erreur fatale s'est produite lors de l'installation. Lorsque vous installez un produit Adobe, l'erreur peut apparaître dans votre fichier journal d'installation. L'erreur 1603 est un code d'erreur MSI indiquant une défaillance générique, mais spécifique à l'ordinateur.
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 1603 (오류 1603: 설치 중 치명적인 오류가 발생했습니다.) - 오류 1603: 설치하는 동안 치명적인 오류가 발생했습니다. Adobe 제품을 설치할 때 설치 로그 파일에 오류가 나타날 수 있습니다. 1603 오류는 일반적이지만 컴퓨터에 특정한 오류를 나타내는 MSI 오류 코드입니다.
Como corrigir o Erro 1603 (Erro 1603: Ocorreu um erro fatal durante a instalação) - Erro 1603: Ocorreu um erro fatal durante a instalação. Quando você instala um produto Adobe, o erro pode aparecer em seu arquivo de log de instalação. O erro 1603 é um código de erro MSI que indica uma falha genérica, mas específica do computador.
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 1603 (Fel 1603: Ett allvarligt fel inträffade under installationen) - Fel 1603: Ett fatalt fel uppstod under installationen. När du installerar en Adobe -produkt kan felet visas i installationsloggfilen. 1603-felet är en MSI-felkod som indikerar ett generellt fel men datorspecifikt.
Как исправить Ошибка 1603 (Ошибка 1603: во время установки произошла фатальная ошибка) - Ошибка 1603: во время установки произошла фатальная ошибка. При установке продукта Adobe ошибка может появиться в файле журнала установки. Ошибка 1603 - это код ошибки MSI, указывающий на общий сбой, но зависящий от компьютера.
Jak naprawić Błąd 1603 (Błąd 1603: Podczas instalacji wystąpił błąd krytyczny) - Błąd 1603: Podczas instalacji wystąpił błąd krytyczny. Podczas instalacji produktu Adobe błąd może pojawić się w pliku dziennika instalacji. Błąd 1603 to kod błędu MSI wskazujący awarię, która jest ogólna, ale specyficzna dla komputera.
Cómo arreglar Error 1603 (Error 1603: se produjo un error fatal durante la instalación) - Error 1603: se produjo un error fatal durante la instalación. Cuando instala un producto de Adobe, el error puede aparecer en su archivo de registro de instalación. El error 1603 es un código de error MSI que indica una falla que es genérica, pero específica de la computadora.

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.

Follow Us: