Adobe Creative Cloud app launch failed with Configuration Error 16
Configuration Error. Please uninstall and reinstall the product. (Error code: 16)
A configuration failure occurred when launching a Creative Cloud app. This error is caused by incorrect or restricted permissions on the Adobe PCD and SLStore licensing folders, preventing the app from reading or updating its license data.
Configuration Error. Please uninstall and reinstall the product. (Error code: 16)
Why it happens
The Adobe PCD and/or SLStore folders have incorrect or restricted file permissions.
An operating system update or Adobe update changed the folder permission settings.
The SLStore folder is missing from the expected directory.
A missing adbeape.dll file in the Adobe installation folder.
How to fix it
On Windows, navigate to the Adobe PCD folder (Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe PCD) and the SLStore folder, then set Full Control permissions for the SYSTEM and Administrator groups via the Security tab in folder Properties.
On macOS, use Get Info on the SLStore (/Library/Application Support/Adobe/SLStore) and Adobe PCD folders, unlock permissions, and apply Read & Write access to all enclosed items.
If the SLStore folder is missing, create an empty folder with that name in the expected location (C:\ProgramData\Adobe\) and relaunch the app.
Try running the Creative Cloud application as an Administrator to verify if a permissions issue is the root cause.
If folder permission changes do not resolve the issue, run the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool and perform a clean reinstall.
