Fix Acrobat XI Printing Only Two PDFs on Windows 10
Question details
The user is unable to batch print multiple PDF documents on Windows 10, as the print queue stops processing after the first two files.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat XI Pro
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Dragging multiple PDF files into a printer or copier queue via Windows Explorer to batch print them.
- Observed behavior
- Only the first two PDF files in the batch print successfully, while the remaining files are ignored by the print queue.
Ensure your printer and copier drivers are updated to their latest Windows 10 compatible versions, and verify that the Windows Print Spooler service is running normally.
Test with an Updated PDF Reader
Since Acrobat XI has reached its end-of-life and lacks Windows 10 compatibility updates, testing with a modern, supported PDF reader isolates whether the issue is software-based.
Windows 10 introduced underlying changes to how system services and print spoolers operate. Because Acrobat XI is no longer updated, it often struggles to handle batch commands passed from Windows Explorer to the printer spooler.
Download and install a modern PDF application, such as WPS PDF or Acrobat Reader DC, which fully supports Windows 10 and 11 environments.
Right-click any PDF file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', pick your newly installed PDF reader, and check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files'.
Select your multiple PDF files in Windows Explorer, drag them into your printer queue, and observe if all documents now print successfully.
Troubleshoot the Printer Utility Interoperability
The drag-and-drop printer queue feature is usually managed by a third-party printer utility rather than Adobe Acrobat, meaning the failure could stem from the utility itself.
Batch Print PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
Avoid compatibility bottlenecks caused by outdated software. WPS Office features a lightweight, modern, and built-in PDF reader that perfectly handles Windows 10 and 11 print queues, making batch printing and document management a breeze.
- 1. Launch WPS PDF: Open WPS Office on your Windows 10 PC and navigate to the PDF tab.
- 2. Open your files: Highlight the PDF files you need to print and open them inside the WPS PDF workspace.
- 3. Access the Print menu: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press the 'Ctrl + P' shortcut on your keyboard to open the print dialogue.
- 4. Execute batch print: Select 'Print All Tabs' or configure your batch printing preferences, choose your copier, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Acrobat XI having compatibility issues with Windows 10?
Acrobat XI is an older software version that has reached the end of its official support lifecycle from Adobe. As Windows 10 continues to introduce core updates to system services and print spooling, outdated software loses interoperability, resulting in failed background tasks like batch printing.
Can I batch print PDFs without dragging them into a copier queue?
Yes. You can bypass the queue utility entirely by selecting multiple PDF files directly in Windows File Explorer, right-clicking the highlighted group, and selecting 'Print' from the context menu. This commands Windows to send them to the default printer sequentially.
What should I do if my Windows 10 printer queue keeps stalling?
You can quickly reset a stalled queue by restarting the Print Spooler service. Press 'Windows + R', type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down to find 'Print Spooler', right-click it, and select 'Restart'.
