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How to Fix Word for Mac Cannot Print a PDF to a Brother Printer
Question details
The user is unable to print a Word document that has been saved as a PDF using a Brother printer on a Mac, despite internet printing working correctly.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac, Brother Printer (DCP-T420W)
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a local PDF file that was recently saved or exported from Microsoft Word using a Brother printer.
- Observed behavior
- The print job fails entirely for the saved PDF file, whereas other print jobs such as web pages from an internet browser print normally.
Verify the exact version numbers of your macOS, Microsoft Word application, Brother printer driver, and printer firmware, as these details are crucial for isolating the communication error.
Update and Reinstall the Brother Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers are a common cause of PDF printing failures on macOS. Reinstalling the driver ensures proper communication between your Mac and the Brother printer.
Printer drivers act as the translator between your computer's software and the printer hardware. If the driver is outdated, it may handle standard web printing fine but fail when processing complex PDF files exported from Microsoft Word.
Open 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences') on your Mac, select 'Printers & Scanners', click on your Brother DCP-T420W printer, and click the '-' (minus) button to remove it.
Visit the official Brother support website, search for your exact printer model (e.g., DCP-T420W), and download the latest printer driver designed for your specific macOS version.
Run the downloaded installer file. Once the installation is complete, return to 'Printers & Scanners', click the '+' (plus) button, and add your Brother printer back to the Mac.
Reset the Mac Printing System
Resetting the printing system clears out stuck print jobs, deletes temporary spool files, and restores local printer configurations to their default state.
Print as Image from a PDF Viewer
If the PDF exported from Word contains complex formatting or font subsets causing the print spooler to fail, printing it as an image can bypass the data processing error.
Try WPS Office for Mac for Seamless PDF Export and Printing
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to struggle with formatting, PDF exports, and local printing to your Brother printer, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, reliable alternative with native PDF handling tools that eliminate common spooling errors.
- 1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Download and install the free version of WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your original Word document (.doc or .docx).
- 3. Export and print smoothly: Go to 'File' > 'Export to PDF' to create a clean PDF file, or simply select 'Print' to send the document directly to your Brother printer without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Brother printer print web pages but not PDFs saved from Word?
Web browsers use different rendering engines and print spools compared to local word processors. A PDF exported from Microsoft Word might contain complex font subsets, transparent layers, or metadata that an outdated Brother printer driver cannot process, leading to a silent failure.
How do I check my Brother printer driver version on a Mac?
Navigate to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click on your Brother printer, and select 'Options & Supplies'. The driver version will be clearly listed under the 'General' tab.
Can I print the Word document directly without saving it as a PDF first?
Yes, you can select 'File' > 'Print' directly inside Microsoft Word. However, if the document formatting breaks on the physical page, exporting to PDF is generally used as a workaround. If direct printing also fails, you must update your printer firmware and macOS.
Does updating macOS fix printer communication issues?
Yes, Apple frequently includes updated background printer drivers and system bug fixes within macOS updates. You can check for available updates by going to System Settings > General > Software Update.
