Fix Adobe Reader Crashing When Printing on macOS Big Sur
Question details
The user experiences Adobe Reader crashing or quitting unexpectedly when attempting to print a PDF document after updating to macOS Big Sur.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document via Adobe Reader after a system update.
- Observed behavior
- The application abruptly closes, crashes, or quits during the printing process without completing the print job.
Ensure your Mac is properly connected to the printer and save any open documents in Adobe Reader before troubleshooting to prevent data loss.
Update Software and Refresh Printer Settings
Outdated software or corrupted printer connections after a macOS update frequently cause application crashes during printing.
macOS Big Sur introduced system changes that require the latest printer drivers and application updates. Refreshing your printer configuration can often resolve background conflicts.
Check for system updates in System Preferences > Software Update. Then, open Adobe Reader, go to Help > Check for Updates, and install the newest version.
Click the Apple menu and select Restart to ensure all temporary files and update configurations are applied.
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners. Select your printer from the list and click the minus (-) button to remove it.
Click the plus (+) button, select your printer from the available devices, and ensure it uses the correct, updated driver for macOS Big Sur.
Open a different PDF document in Adobe Reader and attempt to print it to verify if the issue is document-specific or fully resolved.
Reset Adobe Preferences and Reinstall
Corrupted application preferences can cause Adobe Reader to quit unexpectedly during print tasks.
Print PDFs Smoothly on Mac with WPS Office
If Adobe Reader continues to crash on macOS Big Sur, WPS Office provides a stable, free, and lightweight built-in PDF reader. You can easily view, edit, and print your PDF documents without unexpected interruptions or compatibility issues.
- 1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Download and install the free WPS Office application tailored for macOS from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open' from the home screen, and select the PDF document you wish to print.
- 3. Access the Print menu: Click the 'Print' icon located in the top toolbar or press the Cmd+P shortcut on your keyboard.
- 4. Configure and Print: Adjust your printer settings such as scale and page range, then click 'Print' to easily output your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Reader only crash when I hit print on Mac?
This usually occurs because of a conflict between the Adobe print dialog, the macOS Big Sur print spooler, or an outdated printer driver that isn't fully compatible with the updated operating system.
Will resetting my Mac's printing system help fix PDF crashes?
Yes, resetting the printing system clears out corrupted print queues and older drivers. You can do this by right-clicking anywhere inside the Printers & Scanners preference pane and selecting 'Reset printing system'.
Does WPS Office support advanced PDF printing options like scaling and duplex?
Yes, the WPS Office PDF reader includes comprehensive print settings, allowing you to adjust page scaling, choose double-sided (duplex) printing, and select specific page ranges just like standard PDF software.
