Fix AcroTray32 Hangs When Printing Web Pages to PDF
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where the AcroTray32 process freezes during the PDF creation process.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat X
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a web page to PDF from a browser like Internet Explorer 11 or Microsoft Edge.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Creating Adobe PDF' dialog (AcroTray32) remains open and hangs indefinitely, or the browser fails to show conversion progress and cannot create the PDF.
Before attempting to fix the AcroTray32 printer issue, save any open web pages or documents, as you may need to restart your computer to apply driver updates.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Restart Your PC
Installing the latest updates ensures that your PDF printer drivers are compatible with your current operating system and browser.
Older versions of the Adobe PDF printer driver, especially those from Acrobat X, can conflict with modern browser security protocols. Checking your specific version and applying the newest patches will often resolve background process hangs.
Launch your Adobe Acrobat application from your desktop or Start menu.
Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install any available patches.
Once the update is complete, reboot your computer to ensure the new AcroTray32 background processes and printer drivers initialize correctly.
Print from a Fully Supported Browser
Bypass compatibility issues by using a browser that works reliably with older PDF printer drivers.
Repair Your Adobe Acrobat Installation
Use the built-in repair tool to fix corrupted AcroTray32 files or broken PDF printer registry entries.
Print Web Pages to PDF Instantly with WPS Office
If you are struggling with frozen AcroTray32 dialogs and outdated printer drivers, WPS Office offers a modern, stable built-in PDF virtual printer. It allows you to effortlessly save web pages, documents, and spreadsheets as high-quality PDFs without relying on third-party background processes.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite, which automatically configures the 'WPS PDF' virtual printer on your system.
- 2. Open the Print Dialog in Your Browser: Navigate to the web page you want to save, and press 'Ctrl + P' to bring up the system print menu.
- 3. Select WPS PDF and Save: Change the destination printer to 'WPS PDF', click 'Print', and choose the folder where you want to save your new PDF document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AcroTray32.exe and do I need it?
AcroTray32.exe is a background process used by Adobe Acrobat to facilitate the conversion of documents and web pages into PDF format via the Adobe PDF virtual printer. It is required if you want to use Acrobat's print-to-PDF functionality.
Why does the Creating Adobe PDF dialog hang in Internet Explorer 11?
The dialog often hangs because older Acrobat printer drivers (such as those in Acrobat X) lack compatibility with the security architectures and script handling of browsers like IE11 and Microsoft Edge. This breaks the communication between the browser and the AcroTray32 process.
Can I disable AcroTray from running at startup?
Yes. You can disable AcroTray by opening the Task Manager, navigating to the 'Startup' tab, right-clicking on AcroTray, and selecting 'Disable'. However, be aware that disabling it may prevent the Adobe PDF printer from working correctly when you try to print.
Are there alternatives to using the Adobe PDF printer for web pages?
Yes. Most modern browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge now feature their own native 'Save as PDF' options in the print menu. Alternatively, you can install lightweight office suites like WPS Office, which include their own stable PDF virtual printers.
