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Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Closes or Crashes When Printing a PDF
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where Adobe Acrobat DC unexpectedly closes or crashes every time they attempt to print a PDF document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Sending a standard PDF document to the printer for physical or virtual printing.
- Observed behavior
- The application works normally for viewing but immediately crashes or closes unexpectedly upon initiating the print command.
Ensure that your printer is powered on, properly connected to your computer, and that your printer drivers are up to date before modifying application settings.
Disable Protected View in Acrobat Preferences
Turning off Protected View can resolve security conflicts that cause the software to crash when communicating with the print spooler.
Acrobat's sandbox protections can sometimes interfere with older printer drivers or specific network printing setups. Disabling this mode temporarily can bypass the conflict.
Launch Adobe Acrobat DC. Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Edit', and select 'Preferences'.
In the left panel, find and click on 'Security (Enhanced)'. Under the Sandbox Protections section, select the 'Off' radio button for Protected View.
Click 'OK' to save your settings. Close Adobe Acrobat DC entirely, reopen your PDF file, and try printing again.
Run as Administrator in Compatibility Mode
Adjusting Windows compatibility settings and granting administrative privileges can fix OS-level permission conflicts during printing.
Repair Adobe Acrobat Installation
Use the built-in repair tool to fix corrupted or missing application files that may be disrupting the print function.
Print Your PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to crash and you need to print a document urgently, you can easily open and print your PDF files using the built-in PDF reader in WPS Office. It provides a stable, lightweight, and hassle-free printing experience.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click the PDF file you need to print, select 'Open with', and choose 'WPS Office'.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon located on the top toolbar or press the 'Ctrl + P' shortcut on your keyboard.
- 4. Print the Document: Select your desired printer, adjust your layout and copies, and click the 'Print' button to successfully print the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat DC crash only when I try to print?
This specific crash is often caused by conflicts between Acrobat's 'Protected View' security sandbox and your system's printer drivers. Corrupted temporary files or outdated application versions can also trigger a crash exclusively during the print spooling process.
Can a corrupted PDF file cause the printing software to crash?
Yes. If a specific PDF document contains missing fonts, broken structural elements, or extremely complex graphics, it can overwhelm the software and cause a crash. To test this, try printing a different, simple PDF file to see if the issue is file-specific.
How can I check if I have the latest version of Acrobat DC?
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. The software will communicate with Adobe servers to download and install any pending bug fixes, which often resolves unexpected printing crashes.
