Fix Adobe Acrobat 9 Cannot Print from Microsoft Word on Windows 10
Question details
The user is unable to print documents to PDF using Adobe Acrobat 9 from Microsoft Word on a Windows 10 computer.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 9 and Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to use the Adobe Acrobat 9 PDF printer to convert a Microsoft Word document into a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- The printing process fails, either producing a PDF file filled with gibberish text or returning an error message stating that it cannot find a printer, despite the same setup working for Microsoft Excel.
Verify your current Windows 10 version and ensure you have administrative privileges to install updated software or configure virtual environments.
Upgrade to a Windows 10 Compatible PDF Software
Adobe Acrobat 9 is considered legacy software and is not officially compatible with Windows 10. Upgrading to a supported version is the most reliable way to restore printing functionality.
The underlying architecture of Windows 10 print spoolers frequently conflicts with the outdated drivers used by Adobe Acrobat 9. To ensure secure and error-free document conversion, migrating to a modern PDF creator is highly advised.
Navigate to 'Settings' > 'Apps' > 'Apps & features' in Windows 10. Scroll down to find Adobe Acrobat 9, click on it, and select 'Uninstall'.
Select a Windows 10 supported PDF application, such as Adobe Acrobat DC, Acrobat XI, or a modern office suite like WPS Office that features built-in PDF conversion.
Download and install your new software. Once installed, go to Windows 'Settings' > 'Devices' > 'Printers & scanners' to ensure your new PDF creator is listed as an available printer.
Run Acrobat 9 in a Virtual Machine
If you have a strict requirement to continue using Adobe Acrobat 9, you can bypass Windows 10 compatibility issues by running it within an older operating system via a Virtual Machine.
Export Word to PDF Directly with WPS Office
Skip the hassle of outdated print drivers and virtual machines. WPS Office features a native, built-in 'Export to PDF' tool that flawlessy converts documents on Windows 10 without needing an external PDF printer.
- 1. Open your document in WPS: Launch WPS Office Writer and open the Word document you want to convert to PDF.
- 2. Select Export to PDF: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner of the interface and select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Configure and save: Choose your desired save location, select standard or advanced image quality, and click the 'Export' button to generate your PDF instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat 9 print perfectly from Excel but fail in Word on Windows 10?
Adobe Acrobat 9 uses specific print spooler plugins for Microsoft Word (PDFMaker) that are broken by modern Windows 10 updates. Excel handles print requests through a slightly different API, which occasionally allows legacy drivers to function temporarily, though it remains officially unsupported.
Can I fix this by running Adobe Acrobat 9 in Windows Compatibility Mode?
Using Compatibility Mode (right-clicking the program shortcut, selecting Properties, and choosing Windows 7 compatibility) rarely resolves this issue because the problem lies deep within system-level print drivers, not just the application's launch environment.
Are there built-in ways to save Word documents as PDFs without Adobe Acrobat?
Yes. Modern word processors, including WPS Office and recent versions of Microsoft Word, feature native 'Export to PDF' or 'Save As PDF' functions. Windows 10 also includes a built-in 'Microsoft Print to PDF' virtual printer that can be used from the standard print menu.
