Fix Microsoft Edge Hangs When Printing PDFs Using Acrobat X
Question details
The user is unable to print documents from Microsoft Edge due to the browser hanging, specifically when using Adobe Acrobat X Pro.
- Product
- Microsoft Edge / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document directly through the Microsoft Edge browser interface.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Edge completely hangs or freezes during the print process, though printing the same document works normally through Internet Explorer.
Before proceeding, ensure your Windows 10 system and Microsoft Edge browser are updated to their latest versions, and restart the browser to clear any temporary background processes.
Check Compatibility and Update Adobe Acrobat
Verify your Adobe Acrobat X update level. Because it is a legacy release, updating it or upgrading may be required to resolve browser spooler conflicts.
Adobe Acrobat X is an older release of the software. Running legacy plugins alongside modern, frequently updated browsers like Microsoft Edge can often lead to print spooler conflicts, resulting in the browser freezing or hanging.
Open Adobe Acrobat X Pro, click on the 'Help' menu at the top, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat' to check your exact version and update level.
Navigate to 'Help' > 'Check for Updates' within Acrobat to see if there are any available patches that might temporarily improve compatibility.
If no updates are available, consider upgrading to a newer, supported version of Adobe Acrobat that meets the operating-system requirements for Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge.
Use Edge's Built-in PDF Printer or IE Mode
Bypass the Acrobat X plugin entirely by using Microsoft Edge's native capabilities or built-in compatibility features.
Print PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
Avoid browser freezing and legacy plugin compatibility issues by viewing and printing your PDF documents directly using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, built-in PDF reader that handles printing tasks smoothly on Windows 10.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your Windows 10 computer.
- 2. Open your PDF file: Right-click the PDF file you wish to print, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office from the application list.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or simply press the Ctrl+P shortcut on your keyboard.
- 4. Configure and Print: Select your physical printer from the list, adjust the page range or scaling if necessary, and click 'Print' for a hassle-free printing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Edge freeze when printing PDFs?
This commonly occurs due to conflicts between the browser's modern architecture and outdated third-party PDF plugins, such as Adobe Acrobat X, which are no longer updated to support newer Windows 10 browser environments.
How can I change the default PDF viewer in Windows 10?
Navigate to Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps. Scroll down and click 'Choose default apps by file type', locate the '.pdf' extension, and select your preferred application (like WPS Office or Edge) to replace the current default.
Is Adobe Acrobat X Pro still supported on Windows 10?
Adobe Acrobat X is a legacy product and has reached the end of its core support. While it might run on Windows 10, it is not officially supported and frequently encounters compatibility issues with modern browser updates and operating system features.
