Fix Fax Settings Not Appearing in Adobe Acrobat 2017
Question details
Users are unable to enter a destination fax number because the fax printer settings dialog fails to appear when printing a PDF directly.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat 2017
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to send a PDF document to a fax printer driver directly from the PDF reader application.
- Observed behavior
- The expected fax setup dialog does not open, preventing the fax from sending. Occasionally, transmitted documents may also be received as blank pages.
Verify that your fax printer is correctly installed in your operating system's printer settings and that you can successfully print a test page to it.
Configure the Fax Printer Driver to Always Display Settings
Ensure the driver is explicitly configured to prompt the user for a fax number before processing the print job.
Sometimes the default behavior of a fax driver is to send jobs immediately using default settings. Forcing the driver to display its configuration window ensures you can input the fax number.
Navigate to your computer's 'Printers & Scanners' settings, select your fax printer, and click on 'Manage' followed by 'Printer properties'.
Look for a setting named 'Always display settings before faxing' or a similar prompt option in the Preferences or Advanced tab, and ensure it is checked.
Save the changes and attempt to print a local PDF file to the fax printer again from your PDF software.
Update Acrobat and Reinstall the Fax Printer Driver
Resolve potential software bugs and compatibility conflicts by updating to the latest application and driver versions.
Use WPS Office as a Reliable Alternative for PDF Printing
If your current PDF reader continues to struggle with your fax driver, try WPS Office. It includes a lightweight, highly compatible PDF viewer that interfaces seamlessly with standard system printers and fax drivers.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF file.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon or press Ctrl+P to open the print dialog.
- 3. Select Fax Printer: Choose your fax driver from the printer dropdown list and click Print to trigger the fax settings prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my faxed PDF pages arriving blank?
This can happen if the fax driver struggles to process complex PDF fonts or images. Try using the 'Print as Image' option in your PDF reader's advanced print settings before faxing.
Why does my fax driver work in Microsoft Word but not in Acrobat?
Different software applications handle print spooling differently. Adobe Acrobat's unique spooling process can sometimes bypass the user interface prompts of older or third-party fax drivers, preventing the settings window from appearing.
Can I save a file as a PDF and fax it later?
Yes, you can save or export any document as a PDF. Once saved locally on your device, you can open it with a compatible PDF reader and print it to your fax driver when you are ready to send.
