Fix Acrobat Unable to Open Print Spool File Error on macOS
Question details
User is experiencing a print spool file error when trying to print PDFs using Adobe Acrobat Pro XI on macOS.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro XI
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document on a Mac computer.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat displays an error referring to a temporary file in '/private/var/spool/cups/tmp/' and fails to send the document to the printer.
Ensure your Mac is updated to the latest macOS version and verify that your printer is powered on, connected to your network, and has enough paper and ink.
Reset the macOS Printing System
Resetting the Mac print system clears out corrupted CUPS spooler files and resets communication with your printer.
Since the error mentions '/private/var/spool/cups/tmp/', the issue stems from the macOS Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) failing to process the temporary print file. Resetting the printing system forces macOS to clear these blocked queues.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences' on older macOS versions).
Scroll down and click on 'Printers & Scanners' in the sidebar.
Right-click (or Control-click) anywhere in the blank space of the printer list and select 'Reset printing system...' from the context menu.
Click 'Reset' to confirm, enter your Mac administrator password if prompted, and then click the 'Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax' button to reconnect your printer.
Restart Devices to Clear Spooler
A simple reboot of both the Mac and the printer can often resolve temporary communication hangs in the print spooler.
Bypass Acrobat Printing Errors with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to struggle with macOS print spooler errors, try using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible PDF reader that interfaces seamlessly with the macOS printing system, helping you bypass application-specific glitches.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open the PDF document you want to print.
- 2. Access Print Menu: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left and select 'Print', or simply press Cmd + P on your keyboard.
- 3. Print Document: Choose your connected printer from the dropdown list, adjust your page settings, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the '/private/var/spool/cups/tmp/' error mean?
It indicates a failure in the Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) on macOS. The operating system is unable to create, read, or access the temporary spool file required to process your print job.
Can I manually delete the CUPS temporary files on Mac?
Yes, advanced users can clear the CUPS spool folder using Terminal commands to flush the print queue. However, resetting the printing system via the 'Printers & Scanners' interface is generally safer and highly effective.
Does this spooler error only happen in Adobe Acrobat Pro XI?
While frequently reported by users of Acrobat Pro XI, this CUPS spooler error is fundamentally a macOS printing issue and can occasionally occur in other applications if the printing subsystem becomes corrupted or hung.
