Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Pro Cannot Print PDF (But Reader Can)
Question details
The user is unable to print a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat DC Pro, despite the same document printing successfully from Adobe Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC Pro
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF file from professional PDF editing software.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat DC Pro displays errors such as "The document could not be printed" or "An error occurred while printing the document," whereas Adobe Reader prints the file without any issues.
Ensure that your printer is turned on, properly connected to your computer, and has enough paper and ink before modifying specific software print settings.
Print the Document as an Image
Bypassing standard text and font processing by printing the PDF as an image is the quickest workaround for Acrobat printing errors.
Sometimes, Adobe Acrobat DC Pro struggles to process complex fonts or corrupted graphics during the print spooling phase. Printing as an image forces the software to send a simple rasterized image to the printer instead.
Open the problematic PDF in Adobe Acrobat DC Pro, click on the "File" menu in the top-left corner, and select "Print" (or press Ctrl+P).
Click the "Advanced" button located at the top of the Print dialog box.
Check the box next to "Print As Image" and click "OK" to confirm.
Click the "Print" button at the bottom right to send the document to your printer.
Update Software and Repair Acrobat Installation
Outdated software or corrupted program files can cause Acrobat Pro to fail where the simpler Adobe Reader succeeds.
Compare and Match Print Settings with Adobe Reader
Since Adobe Reader prints successfully, matching Acrobat's print settings to Reader's can resolve underlying configuration conflicts.
Print PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to give you persistent printing errors, WPS Office provides a robust, built-in PDF reader and editor. It handles complex PDF files effortlessly and offers a seamless printing experience without the common configuration errors found in heavy professional software.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document directly using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 3. Access Print Menu: Click the "Print" icon on the top toolbar or press the Ctrl+P keyboard shortcut.
- 4. Configure Print Settings: Adjust your desired print settings, such as selecting the correct printer, page range, and sizing options.
- 5. Print Successfully: Click the "Print" button to quickly and successfully print your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF print in Adobe Reader but not Acrobat Pro?
This usually happens because Acrobat Pro has different default print handling profiles, security preferences, or advanced settings compared to the simpler Adobe Reader. It can also stem from corrupted Acrobat program files or conflicting printer drivers.
What does "The document could not be printed" mean in Acrobat?
This error typically indicates a communication breakdown between Adobe Acrobat and your printer driver. It is often caused by complex embedded fonts, corrupted raster images in the PDF, or an outdated printer driver failing to process the document spool.
How do I clear Adobe Acrobat print preferences?
You can reset Acrobat preferences by navigating to Edit > Preferences and reviewing your settings. For a complete reset, you can hold down Shift + Ctrl (or Option + Command on Mac) while starting Adobe Acrobat to restore the application's default settings.
