Fix Acrobat Print Opening Save As PRN Instead of Printing
Question details
The user is attempting to print a document, but the software opens a file save dialog for a PRN file rather than sending the print job to a physical printer.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document to a physical printer using Adobe Acrobat.
- Observed behavior
- A 'Save As PRN' (Print to File) dialog unexpectedly opens instead of the document printing to the selected physical printer.
Ensure your physical printer is turned on, properly connected to your computer via USB or network, and set as the default printer in your operating system's device settings.
Disable the 'Print to File' Option in Acrobat Print Settings
The most common cause for this issue is having the 'Print to File' option enabled in the application's advanced print settings. Disabling it restores normal printing functionality.
When 'Print to File' is checked, Adobe Acrobat generates a .prn file containing the raw instructions meant for the printer, rather than communicating with the printer itself. This feature is rarely needed for everyday printing.
Open your PDF document in Adobe Acrobat DC. Go to the 'File' menu in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac).
In the Print dialog box, verify that your actual physical printer is selected from the 'Printer' drop-down menu at the top.
Click on the 'Advanced' button located near the top of the Print dialog box to open additional configuration options.
Locate the 'Print to File' checkbox in the Advanced Print Setup dialog box and clear it. Click 'OK' to save the settings, then click 'Print' to send your document to the printer.
Verify Windows Printer Port Settings
If disabling 'Print to File' in your PDF reader doesn't work, check if your printer driver is configured to output to a file port at the Windows system level.
Print and Manage PDFs Easily with WPS Office
If you continue experiencing software conflicts or advanced printing glitches with your current PDF reader, switch to WPS Office. It features a robust, built-in PDF reader that flawlessly connects to your physical printers without complicated 'Print to File' errors.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you want to print by clicking 'Open' or dragging the file into the workspace.
- 2. Open the Print Menu: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or use the standard Ctrl+P keyboard shortcut.
- 3. Select Printer and Print: Choose your physical printer from the Name drop-down, adjust your copies and page layout settings, and simply click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PRN file and why is it created?
A PRN (Print) file contains raw text and formatting instructions specifically generated for a printer. It is created when you select the 'Print to File' option, allowing the document to be printed later on a specific device without needing the original software.
Why does my computer keep saving as PRN instead of printing?
This usually happens if the 'Print to File' checkbox is enabled in your application's advanced print settings, or if your operating system's printer port is mistakenly assigned to 'FILE:' instead of a standard USB or network port.
How do I print an existing PRN file?
Printing an existing PRN file typically requires using the command line (Command Prompt) to bypass software and copy the file directly to your printer's port. Standard PDF or Word applications cannot open and print PRN files directly.
