Fix Internet Explorer Freezing When Printing PDFs via Acrobat DC
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where Internet Explorer becomes unresponsive after printing multiple PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC and Internet Explorer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing multiple PDF files directly from the Internet Explorer browser window using the Acrobat DC plugin.
- Observed behavior
- Internet Explorer freezes or crashes during the routine printing process with Acrobat DC, even though older versions like Acrobat XI handled the task without issues.
Ensure you save any open work and bookmark important tabs in your browser, as troubleshooting browser freezes will require you to force-close Internet Explorer and restart your system.
Clear System Resources and Restart
Freeing up system memory and disk space can resolve the resource bottlenecks that cause legacy browsers to hang during heavy PDF processing tasks.
Processing and spooling PDF files for printing requires significant system memory (RAM) and temporary storage space. Because Internet Explorer is an older browser, it can easily be overwhelmed by the demands of the newer Acrobat DC engine if resources are low.
Close all active applications and restart your computer to immediately flush the system RAM and clear locked temporary files.
Open File Explorer, click on 'This PC', and ensure your primary C: drive has at least 10-15% free space for system spooling operations.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager before printing. Monitor the 'Memory' tab to ensure your system isn't maxing out its RAM when the print job is sent.
Update Acrobat DC and Internet Explorer
Installing the latest software patches ensures that known compatibility bugs between Acrobat DC and your browser are resolved.
Print Locally by Bypassing the Browser
Downloading the document to your local drive and printing from a desktop application completely avoids browser plugin conflicts.
Print PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
Avoid browser freezes and compatibility conflicts by using the built-in PDF tools in WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, standalone environment for viewing, editing, and printing PDF documents flawlessly without straining your system resources.
- 1. Download and Install: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your downloaded PDF document directly in the application.
- 3. Access Print Menu: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press the Ctrl + P shortcut on your keyboard.
- 4. Print Effortlessly: Adjust your preferred print settings in the dialog box and click 'Print' for a smooth, freeze-free experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat DC freeze my browser when older versions like Acrobat XI worked fine?
Acrobat DC utilizes a newer processing engine that demands more system resources. When integrated into legacy browsers like Internet Explorer, these heightened resource requirements can cause memory bottlenecks, leading to temporary freezes or crashes.
Can I disable the Acrobat plugin in Internet Explorer to fix the freezing?
Yes. You can force Internet Explorer to download PDFs instead of opening them by managing add-ons. Click the Gear icon in IE, go to 'Manage Add-ons', select 'All add-ons' under Show, find 'Adobe PDF Reader', and click 'Disable'.
Does clearing the browser cache help with printing freezes?
Yes, clearing temporary internet files and cache can free up local resources and resolve temporary file conflicts. In IE, click the Gear icon > Internet Options, and under the General tab, click 'Delete' in the Browsing history section.
What should I do if the freeze happens with only one specific PDF?
If the issue is document-specific, the PDF might contain corrupted elements or complex graphics. You can bypass this by opening the PDF in a desktop reader, selecting 'Print', clicking 'Advanced', and checking the 'Print As Image' option.
