Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Not Printing and Jobs Stuck in Queue
Question details
Users are unable to print PDF files from Adobe Acrobat DC because print jobs become unresponsive and get stuck in the print queue, even though the printer functions normally for other software.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to send a PDF document to a local or network printer for a physical copy.
- Observed behavior
- The print job is successfully sent to the printer queue but fails to execute, remaining stuck in a pending state and blocking subsequent jobs, while other non-Acrobat applications print without issues.
Ensure your printer is powered on, connected correctly to your network or device, and that you have saved any ongoing work in your open PDF documents before attempting to restart applications or background services.
Clear the Print Queue and Restart the Print Spooler Service
A jammed print spooler can block Acrobat DC from completing its print jobs. Resetting this background service clears out stuck data and refreshes the connection.
The Print Spooler is a service that temporarily stores print jobs in your computer's memory until the printer is ready. When an Acrobat print job contains complex elements that the spooler fails to process, it gets stuck. Clearing the spooler folder manually forces a clean slate.
Press the Windows Key + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down the list, right-click on 'Print Spooler', and select 'Stop'.
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. Select all files in this folder and delete them to clear the stuck queue.
Return to the Services window, right-click on 'Print Spooler' again, and select 'Start'.
Close Adobe Acrobat DC completely, reopen your PDF document, and try printing again.
Print the PDF as an Image
Complex fonts, graphics, or corrupted vector data in a PDF can cause Acrobat to fail during the printing process. Printing as an image bypasses these issues.
Update or Reinstall Your Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers may struggle to parse the specific postscript data sent by Acrobat DC, causing the queue to freeze.
Easily Print PDF Files Without Errors Using WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat DC continues to freeze or leave print jobs stuck in the queue, try opening and printing your PDF using WPS Office. As an all-in-one suite, WPS provides a fast, lightweight PDF reader that can bypass Acrobat-specific printing glitches.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the installation.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click the PDF file that is failing to print, hover over 'Open with', and select 'WPS Office'.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
- 4. Print the Document: Select your printer from the dropdown menu, configure your desired settings, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does only Adobe Acrobat DC fail to print while other apps work fine?
Acrobat processes print data differently than web browsers or basic text editors. It often sends complex postscript, font, and vector data to the printer. If the printer driver cannot parse this specific Adobe data, the job gets stuck in the queue, even though simpler apps print successfully.
How can I tell if the printing issue is document-specific?
To test if the problem is the file itself, open a completely different, simple PDF (like a basic one-page text document) in Acrobat DC and try to print it. If the simple document prints without getting stuck in the queue, your original PDF is likely too complex or contains corrupted graphic elements.
Will reinstalling Adobe Acrobat DC fix the print queue issue?
Reinstalling Acrobat can resolve the issue if corrupted installation files or damaged registry keys are causing the software to fail when handing off data to the printer. However, you should try clearing the print spooler and updating your printer drivers first, as they are much faster solutions and are usually the root cause.
