JAWS - Auto OCR or layered OCR keystroke does not operate

JAWS - Auto OCR or layered OCR keystroke does not operate

Problem

A JAWS user encountes a problem using Adobe Reader where JAWS fails initiating automatic Convenient OCR or fails using the via layered hotkey JAWSKey+SPACEBAR, O, D.

Applies to

  1. JAWS

Resolution

JAWS is designed to detect documents loaded into Adobe Acrobat Reader that have no text layer and will offer to use Convenient OCR to recognise the document, sometimes this might fail.  This may be caused by Adobe Reader with its new interface, reverting to the old interface may therefore fix the problem.

  1. In Adobe Reader press ALT+F to open File menu.
  2. Press DOWN ARROW to reach  Disable New Acrobat, then press ENTER.
  3. Respond to any prompts to restart Adobe Reader.
  4. Then open a PDF document in Adobe reader and attempt to use Convenient OCR again.
    • Related Articles

    • JAWS - Convenient OCR layered hotkeys

      Problem A JAWS user would like to scan from a paper document using an attached flatbed scanner or Pearl camera. Applies to JAWS/Fusion Resolution Convenient OCR is a group of JAWS features that allow it to assist with reading printed text from hard ...
    • JAWS - Using layered keystrokes to access features

      Problem A JAWS user would like information on using layered keystrokes to access certain JAWS features. Applies to JAWS Resolution Since there are many more functions available to JAWS than there are usable hotkeys, some functions are grouped below a ...
    • JAWS - Set Acquisition source for Convenient OCR

      Problem A JAWS user would like to make sure and set the correct scanner interface for use with Convenient OCR tool. Applies to JAWS Resolution Note An attached TWAIN compatible scanner or all in one printer must be connected and powered on for the ...
    • JAWS - Change to convenient OCR in December 2025 update

      Problem JAWS users previously had a number of convenient OCR commands for different tasks they had to remember which made using the feature more complicated. Applies to JAWS Fusion Resolution In the December update of JAWS/Fusion 2025 some changes ...
    • JAWS - Convenient OCR does not work

      Problem A customer running JAWS uses the keystroke to invoke Convenient OCR feature but this does not work. Applies to: JAWS Fusion Resolution Please check the installed version of Microsoft Office software in Apps and Features, for the convenient ...