error 2038 IO Error on Network Request. Please check your network connection and try again.

Same issue here. Started yesterday, so Adobe has done something to break both the version I (and probably you) have, along with the version on a number of sony readers that are now so much electronic junk.

Have you check if the Firewall anything blocked?

I too am having same issue with error code 2038.  I can download books from NetGalley, but not from public libraries. Same error with 2 different libraries, so seems to be universal.  Switched to Kindle version for downloading new library books, but the ones already tried are locked into epub (and not every book has Kindle through Amazon option).  Can't return without being in Digital Editions, so I'm out of luck.  Most were on hold anyway so I would lose my position if I could return & check out again to try new format. Sure hope they fix this before they expire & I have to go back at bottom of hold list!!

Tried to notify Adobe Digital Editions directly & they want me to pay to talk to support specialist!  For a problem that they created? Not happening.

I get books all the time this is the first time I've gotten this problem.

I'm having the exact same problem. Worked just fine last week. What version of Adobe Digital Editions is everyone using?

I'm convinced this is an Adobe issue.  I've tried installing newest version of ADE 4.5.2, de-authorizing  and re-authorizing ADE, a registry fix to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adept, but nothing works.  Same issue with trying to download from 3 libraries I'm a patron of.  Only thing I can do is download the Kindle version from Amazon.  First time this has happened in 3 years of downloadeing Epub version of books from libraries.  I'm surprised libraries across the country are not being being over whelmed with calls but suspect most users don't know what going on.  Adobe better fix this soon!

As it turns out I had a problem downloading everything, not just the ebooks. it was not an Abobe problem it was a conflict with the virus protection in Windows 10. I have AVG and Avast (I know should't have 2 but no issues till his week) AVG updated their protection. Windows blocked all downloads. It took several hours for Windows tech support to fix the issue and allow downloads again. Very complex had to clear the registry of the antivirus.

If a new version of ADE fixes the problem your lucky,

  I have been having this same problem for over a week now too. Barbaraa62092039 said she could download Kindle books from the library so I had an idea. In addition to Overdrive my library also has a service called Freading. I borrowed an Epub book from Freading and it downloaded just fine. Epub books from Overdrive continue to give me this 2038 error. I think the problem is originating with Overdrive, not ADE. Overdrive just updated a couple of weeks ago for all the libraries' websites I looked at. They must have done something that is causing this problem.

I have that same problem...this program has worked for years but all of a sudden I'm getting error 2038.

I'm working on a Mac. I then tried to download the latest version of digital editions and now I'm getting a license error even though it says it installed successfully

Seems like either Adobe corked a server and don't give a crap (could be, but then why would my authorized computer work with Netgalley mere moments after not working with Overdrive?).

Or Overdrive screwed up with all the new code that's in there after the update, and none of them are there 'cause it's a weekend.

Either way. We're all screwed because we're expected to have tablets or Kindles instead of our trusty eInk Nooks and Kobos and so we're at the bottom of the pile. It sucks.

I got the latest 4.5 version of ADE working again!  I tried re-installing the old version of ADE that I had (1.7.2) that had stopped working but continued to get the 2038 error.  So I did this on my Windows 7 system:

1.  I uninstalled ALL versions of ADE with Cleanse Unistaller Pro that also deleted all ADE registry entries.

2.  Deleted all cookies on my browser.  I use Chrome.

3.  Re-installed the the latest version of ADE 4.5.2. 

4.  Pressed CTRL-SHIFT-d to de-authorized ane re-authorized ADE with my email address and Adobe ID.  When I tried to download an epub library book, I got an activation error.  I researched the Adobe forum to fix activation errors and found the following:

1.     Close all applications.

2.     Choose Start > Run.

3.     In the Open text box, type regedit and then press Enter. The Registry Editor opens.

4.     In the left pane of the Registry Editor, locate the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adept

5.     Select the Adept key.

6.     Choose File > Export.

7.     In the Export Registry File dialog box, select Selected Branch under Export Range. Enter a name and location for the backup registry key, and then click Save.

8.     Right-click the Adept key and choose Delete.

9.     In the Confirm Key Delete dialog, click OK.

10.     Close the Registry Editor.

11.     Open Adobe Digital Editions and reauthorize.

The above got rid of the activation error.  I am now able to download all epub books 3 libraries of which I am a patron.  I know the fix sounds complex but until Adobe fixes the issue, this worked.  The old version of ADE 1.7.2 stopped working on November 30 , 2016 after working perfectly fine for over 3 years. 

I am happy for you and I did all that you and someone else suggested, but it will not recognize my ID nor my password for adobe

Problem solved! After a very long, frustrating time with Error 2038. I followed the directions exactly and it worked. This is a confirmation of another reply and I'm including the solution. Sure hope it helps!!!!

Windows:

    Close all applications.

    Choose Start > Run.

    In the Open text box, type regedit and then press Enter. The Registry Editor opens.

    In the left pane of the Registry Editor, locate the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adept

    Select the Adept key.

    Choose File > Export.

    In the Export Registry File dialog box, select Selected Branch under Export Range. Enter a name and location for the backup registry key, and then click Save.

    Right-click the Adept key and choose Delete.

    In the Confirm Key Delete dialog, click OK.

    Close the Registry Editor.

    Open Adobe Digital Editions and reauthorize.

Macintosh:

    quit Adobe Digital Editions.

    Navigate to /Users//Library/Application Support/Adobe/Digital Editions and drag the activation.dat file to the trash.

    If you are using 10.7, see https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

    Open Adobe Digital Editions and reauthorize.

I too followed exactly and it didn't work for me either.

Have you tried to recover your Adobe Id with the email address you originally registered?

I've tried this fix too and it doesn't work for me.  Won't let me delete the Adept key from the registry.  I have the free version of Avast and just updated it a few days ago.  Could this be the issue?

So I uninstalled Avast and am still getting an error regarding activation.  It won't let me erase my activation within the ADE software, and I can't delete the Adept registry key.  Any other ideas?  I'm on Windows 10.

Same issue, borrowed 8 library books but can't download any of them yet it worked fine last week. I think it's an Overdrive problem as I've just tested Digital Editions by downloading a book from their free library and Adobe both opened and downloaded the book perfectly...but how to let Overdrive know the problem is with them?

The problem is with the DRM protection on library books.  Adobe Digital Edition when working correctly acquires the DRM license and assigns it to your Adobe ID.  When it does not do that correctly you get the activation error.

I recommend deleting all versions of ADE and its registry entires with a good uninstaller program (see my post above) and re-installing ADE.  If you still get the activation error, do the registry Adept key fix.

This is what I did to get ADE working on library epub and pdf books.  It had been working fine for 2 days now.

I downloaded a book from Open Library using ADE without any problem, so I'm not sure if the problem is with Overdrive or Adobe. The problem is really this: Adobe will say it's an Overdrive problem and there's nothing they can do...Overdrive will say it's an Adobe problem and there's nothing they can do. In other words, nothing will get done and it just screws us. I've been searching for a solution for almost two weeks now and have still seen nothing definite or anyone owning up to the problem.

I deleted my old version, installed the newest version of ADE, deleted my adept registry, and it still won't let me de-authorize ADE. It keeps telling me to "try again later".

that is my experience too feels like they are passing the buck

I have since found out that the library I use was revamping their system, but that is over with and it still will not work.  The really stupid thing is that ADE will open when I am previewing an item, but will not open when I try and download it.

Sent from my iPhone

So, I was having this problem as stated earlier.  I managed to fix it by deleting my older version of ADE, installing the newest version, going into the registry and deleting the adept key, then reauthorizing ADE.  I was then able to download form overdrive with no issue.  Hope that can help.

Tried that, but the books automatically try to download to adobe reader and Not ADE

Sent from my iPhone

Finally got it working again.

First I returned all borrowed books from before it quit working (funny that I can return books but not download new borrows).

I uninstalled Digital Editions. In addition to the Adept registry (tried that fix but didn't do the trick for me), took these extra steps to make it look like had never had a previous version on my computer.

   1) renamed the My Digital Editions folder in Documents that contains all the books. This way I still have the books saved.

   2) deleted Digital Editions folder found in Program Files (x86)\Adobe

Note that I first tried it without doing step 2 & got same 2038 error. So had to repeat process & added step 2.  Don't think there were any other Digital Editions folders, but if you find them, delete them & all subfolders & files inside.

Then downloaded latest Digital Editions fresh from their website. Have to login with Digital Editions password & register your computer again, since all previous info is gone.

Held my breath when retried first download that failed and was so glad it worked, as book was going to expire in 22 hours & I would have had to go to bottom of hold list to get again. I downloaded all books that previously failed, regardless of which computer I had initially tried. After the first 2 failed, I thought maybe it was that computer & tried another family member's on a third book. So was afraid would have to use same computer as first tried, but since they were unsuccessful, guess there was no link to specific computer.

Hope everyone else can get same success, as this has been almost 2 weeks not working.

Thank you for this solution. Worked perfectly!

You're more than welcome.  I hope both Overdrive and/or Adobe fix this as soon as possible.  Having to fix the registry to make Adobe work is ridiculous!

My library helped me.  I went with an older version of ADE.  Then had to go into default programs and assign all asm related things to ADE.  There is no authorization of the computer needed.  I do not recommend version 4.5.2 to anyone.

Sent from my iPhone

Have read through all the different posts on this site and on other sites.

Below is what finally got rid of the Network IO error (for MAC)

Mac users

1. Uninstall ADE and remove it from the trash.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Downloaded  latest ADE from Adobe’s website and install it
4. Authorized my computer in ADE using the HELP menu and selecting “Authorize Computer…”

After you've gone through the above steps, try downloading the title again.

It worked!  Thank you!

I hate the look & feel of 4.5.2  How do I go back to an older version without running into this issue all over again?

Your welcome

Sent from my iPhone

The newest Kobo update fixed the problem.