Fix Adobe Acrobat Printing Only One Page and Showing Error
Question details
The user is unable to print multi-page documents as Adobe Acrobat intermittently prints only the first page, takes a long time to process, and displays a printing error message.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2017 and Acrobat XI
- Device & OS
- Windows 10, Windows 7
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a multi-page PDF document to a local or network printer.
- Observed behavior
- The printer outputs only one page after a long delay, followed by an error message stating 'An error occurred while printing' or 'The Document Could Not Be Printed'.
Verify that your printer has enough paper and ink, is securely connected to your computer, and test printing a simple text document to ensure the printer hardware is functioning correctly.
Check Version and Install the Latest Acrobat Update
Updating Adobe Acrobat ensures that known bugs related to printing processes are patched.
Outdated software is one of the most common causes of intermittent printing failures in Acrobat.
Open Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the top menu, and select Help > About Acrobat to view your exact version number.
Go back to the Help menu and select 'Check for Updates'. Wait for the software to communicate with Adobe servers.
If a newer patch is available, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install it, then restart your computer before attempting to print the PDF again.
Repair the Adobe Acrobat Installation
A corrupted Acrobat installation can interrupt the print spooling process. Repairing the software replaces missing or damaged core files.
Print as Image to Bypass Driver Errors
If the printer struggles to process the text or graphics layers in the PDF, forcing it to print as a flat image often bypasses the error.
Easily Print Any PDF Document with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to show printing errors or processes files too slowly, WPS Office provides a reliable, built-in PDF reader that ensures your documents are printed flawlessly, page by page.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click the problematic PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.
- 4. Print Your Document: Select your target printer, verify the page range, and click Print to complete the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat print only the first page and then stop?
This commonly occurs when a specific element on the second page (like a high-resolution image, complex graphic, or corrupted font) causes the printer driver to fail, or when the software itself has a spooling bug.
How do I fix the 'The Document Could Not Be Printed' error?
You can resolve this error by updating Acrobat to the latest version, repairing the installation via the Help menu, or using the 'Print As Image' option in the Advanced print settings to bypass rendering issues.
Can a corrupted PDF file cause printing errors?
Yes, if the PDF file is damaged or incorrectly exported, it might fail to print fully. Try opening the document in another application like WPS Office or a web browser to see if it prints correctly, or re-download the file.
Should I update my Windows printer drivers to fix PDF printing issues?
Absolutely. Outdated or incompatible Windows printer drivers can interrupt the communication between Adobe Acrobat and your printer. Visit your printer manufacturer's website to download the newest drivers for Windows 10 or Windows 7.
