Fix Cannot Print PDF to HP Printer from Acrobat Reader on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to print a PDF document to an HP printer using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC on a Mac.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, HP Printer
- Device & OS
- macOS Mojave
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF file from Acrobat Reader to an HP printer.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF fails to print from Acrobat Reader, even though other applications on the Mac can print to the HP printer successfully.
Ensure your HP printer is turned on, securely connected to your Mac, and has enough paper and ink. Check if there are any error messages displayed on the printer's screen or your Mac's print queue.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypasses complex rendering issues by sending the PDF to the printer as a simple image.
Sometimes, Acrobat Reader struggles to process specific fonts, graphics, or formatting within a PDF, causing the print job to fail on HP printers. Printing the document as an image forces the application to send a flattened picture of the document to the printer, which usually resolves the issue.
Open your PDF document in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Go to the top menu bar, click on 'File', and select 'Print'.
In the Print dialog box, locate and click on the 'Advanced' button near the top of the window.
Check the box next to 'Print As Image'. Click 'OK' to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog, then click 'Print' to send the document to your HP printer.
Update Acrobat Reader and HP Printer Drivers
Outdated software or drivers can cause compatibility issues on macOS Mojave.
Test with Another PDF Document
Determines if the printing issue is caused by a corrupted or restricted PDF file.
Try WPS Office for Seamless PDF Printing on Mac
If Adobe Acrobat continues to have compatibility issues with your HP printer, try WPS Office. It includes a powerful, lightweight PDF reader and editor that works seamlessly on macOS and supports all standard PDF formats.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you want to print.
- 3. Print the Document: Press Cmd + P or go to File > Print, select your HP printer, and click Print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac print from other apps but not Acrobat Reader?
This usually happens due to a communication error between Acrobat's rendering engine and the specific HP printer driver on macOS. Printing the document as an image often bypasses this rendering issue.
How do I know if my PDF is restricted from printing?
Open the PDF in Acrobat Reader, go to 'File' > 'Properties', and click the 'Security' tab. Check the 'Document Restrictions Summary' to see if 'Printing' is set to 'Not Allowed'.
Can a corrupted font cause PDF printing failures on Mac?
Yes, if a PDF contains fonts that your Mac or printer cannot process, the print job may fail. Selecting 'Print As Image' in the Advanced print settings resolves font-related printing errors by flattening the text into a picture.
