Fix Acrobat Pro 2020 PDF Maker and Adobe PDF Printer Failing on Windows
Question details
The user is unable to create PDFs using the Acrobat Pro 2020 PDF Maker, Adobe PDF Printer, or Distiller.
- Product
- Acrobat Pro 2020, Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to create a PDF document from Microsoft Office files or print through the Adobe PDF printer interface.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF creation fails with errors mentioning licensing and printer setup, persisting even after reinstalling Acrobat and using the Adobe Cleaner Tool.
Save all currently open Microsoft Office documents and ensure you have administrative privileges on your Windows account before performing any system repairs.
Repair Your Microsoft Office Installation
If the Adobe Cleaner tool and reinstalling Acrobat did not work, the PDF Maker add-in failure is likely caused by a corrupted Microsoft Office configuration rather than Adobe.
Acrobat's PDF Maker relies heavily on Microsoft Office's background processes to generate files. When the communication between the two programs breaks down, you will experience licensing and printer setup errors. Repairing Office often restores these missing communication protocols.
Press the Windows Key, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Navigate to 'Programs' and click on 'Programs and Features'.
Scroll through your list of installed applications until you find your version of Microsoft Office.
Right-click on Microsoft Office and select 'Change'. When the prompt appears, choose 'Online Repair' (or 'Quick Repair' if you don't have internet access) and click 'Repair'.
Troubleshoot System-Wide Windows Printing
Determine if the Adobe PDF printer issue is an isolated application error or a system-wide failure of the Windows print spooler.
Test with a New Windows User Profile
User-profile corruption can specifically prevent virtual printers and Office add-ins from functioning correctly for one specific account.
Create PDFs Directly Using WPS Office
Bypass complex Adobe PDF printer setup errors by using WPS Office, which features a native, highly reliable PDF converter that doesn't rely on third-party print spoolers or external licensing modules.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document you wish to convert.
- 2. Access the Export Feature: Navigate to the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, or go to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon.
- 3. Select Export to PDF: Click the 'Export to PDF' button. A dialog box will appear allowing you to customize your export settings.
- 4. Save the PDF: Choose your desired save location and click 'Export' to instantly generate your PDF file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Adobe PDF Printer show licensing errors when converting Office files?
Licensing errors during conversion usually occur if the Adobe Print Spooler service is blocked, if Acrobat requires an update, or if there is a miscommunication between the Windows background services and the Adobe licensing module.
Can I convert Microsoft Office documents to PDF without Acrobat Pro?
Yes. Modern office suites like WPS Office have native 'Export to PDF' functions built directly into the software, allowing you to bypass the need for third-party programs like Acrobat entirely.
How do I restart the Windows Print Spooler service?
Press the Windows Key + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down the list until you locate 'Print Spooler', right-click it, and select 'Restart'. This often resolves temporary virtual printing hangs.
