Fix Missing AcroPro.msi and Restore Adobe PDF Printer
Question details
The user needs to resolve an Adobe Acrobat repair failure (Error 1706) caused by a missing AcroPro.msi file in order to restore the unavailable Adobe PDF printer.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to repair Adobe Acrobat to recover a missing PDF virtual printer after a previous repair to Adobe Reader.
- Observed behavior
- The repair process halts with error 1706 because the system cannot locate AcroPro.msi, and the Adobe PDF printer remains unavailable.
Ensure you have an active internet connection to download the official setup files from your Adobe account, or have your original Adobe Acrobat installation media ready before starting the repair process.
Provide the Original Acrobat Setup Files to Complete Repair
You must manually point the Adobe installer to the original AcroPro.msi file so it can successfully complete the repair and restore the PDF printer driver.
Error 1706 occurs when the Windows Installer cannot find the cached MSI package required to verify or repair an existing program. Because the Adobe PDF printer relies directly on the Acrobat Pro installation, repairing Adobe Reader alone will not restore the missing printer.
By providing the installer with the exact AcroPro.msi file matching your software version, the repair can rebuild the missing registry keys and virtual printer configurations.
Download the Acrobat Pro installation files from Adobe's official download page or insert your original installation disc.
If downloaded as an archive, extract the setup files to an easily accessible folder on your computer, such as your Desktop.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro, click on the 'Help' menu at the top, and select 'Repair Installation'.
When the installer prompts you with Error 1706 for the missing AcroPro.msi file, click 'Browse' and navigate to the folder where you extracted the newly downloaded setup files.
Select the AcroPro.msi file, click 'OK' to continue the repair process, and restart your computer once finished to verify the Adobe PDF printer is fully restored.
Try WPS Office for Built-In PDF Creation and Editing
If you frequently encounter missing MSI errors, complex installation dependencies, or lost virtual printer drivers with your current PDF software, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and fully integrated solution. You can seamlessly view, edit, and export PDFs directly within the office suite without ever relying on third-party virtual printers.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open any document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
- 2. Access the export tool: Click on the 'Menu' button located in the top-left corner of the application.
- 3. Generate a PDF instantly: Select 'Export to PDF' to generate a high-quality PDF file instantly, bypassing the need for a separate PDF printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Adobe PDF Printer disappear after I repaired Adobe Reader?
Adobe Reader is simply a free PDF viewing application and does not include the Adobe PDF Printer engine. If the printer went missing, you must repair or reinstall your paid software, Adobe Acrobat Pro or Standard, to restore virtual printing functionality.
Can I fix Error 1706 by downloading just the AcroPro.msi file from a third-party website?
Downloading standalone MSI files from unverified third-party sites is highly discouraged as they may contain malware or be incompatible with your specific Acrobat build version. Always download the complete official installer directly from your Adobe account.
Where can I find my original Adobe Acrobat installer files if I lost them?
If you purchased a digital copy, you can redownload the full installer from your Adobe account's 'Plans and Products' page or via the official Acrobat download portal. If you own a physical copy, the AcroPro.msi file is located directly on the original installation disc.
