Fix Adobe Acrobat XI Sends Print Jobs but Nothing Prints
Question details
Adobe Acrobat XI successfully sends print jobs to the printer queue, but nothing is physically printed out.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print PDF documents to local or network printers using Adobe Acrobat XI.
- Observed behavior
- The print job is sent without errors, but the printer produces no output. Other applications print normally, and reinstalling the printer driver and Acrobat did not fix the problem.
Ensure your printer is turned on, properly connected to your network or computer, and has sufficient paper and ink. Test printing a basic text document from another application to confirm that the printer hardware is functioning correctly.
Use the 'Print as Image' Option in Adobe Acrobat
Bypasses complex PDF rendering issues by sending the document to the printer as a simple rasterized image.
Sometimes a PDF file contains complex formatting, damaged graphics, or unsupported fonts that a printer's memory cannot process. Forcing Acrobat to print the document as an image sidesteps these data processing errors.
Open your problematic PDF file in Adobe Acrobat XI, click on 'File' in the top menu, and select 'Print'.
In the Print dialog box, click on the 'Advanced' button located near the top of the window.
Check the box next to 'Print As Image'. If you have options for resolution, leave the default setting or select a lower resolution.
Click 'OK' to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog, then click 'Print' to send the document to your printer.
Perform a Clean Reinstallation of Printer Drivers
Removes corrupted driver files that might specifically interfere with Adobe Acrobat's print spooling process.
Clear and Reset the Windows Print Spooler
Clears stuck print jobs and resets the Windows printing subsystem that might be blocking Acrobat from communicating with the printer.
Print PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to encounter spooling errors, you can use WPS Office to open, edit, and print your PDF files smoothly. It features an integrated PDF tool that bypasses common rendering issues and gets your documents printed fast.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click the problematic PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office from the list.
- 3. Print the Document: Click on the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P. Select your printer, adjust your preferences, and click 'Print' to output your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat send a print job but nothing happens?
This usually occurs when the PDF contains complex graphics, overlapping elements, or unsupported fonts that the printer's memory cannot process properly. Selecting the 'Print as Image' option in the Advanced print settings usually resolves this by rasterizing the document into a simple image format before sending it to the printer.
Will reinstalling my printer driver fix PDF printing issues?
Yes, if the printer driver is corrupted or outdated, it may fail to interpret the spool data specifically sent from Adobe Acrobat. Downloading and installing the complete driver package directly from the manufacturer's website is highly recommended.
How can I check if the issue is with Acrobat or my printer?
Try printing a document from another application, such as Word or Notepad. If other applications print successfully and only Acrobat fails, the issue is isolated to the Adobe software or the specific PDF file's formatting.
Can I use another program to print my PDF if Acrobat fails?
Absolutely. You can open and print the PDF using alternative software like WPS Office, which handles PDF printing very efficiently, or even through modern web browsers like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
