Fix Missing Images When Converting Word to PDF Using Acrobat
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where pictures disappear after converting a Word document to a PDF file.
- Product
- Word 2016, Adobe Acrobat XI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Word document containing images into a PDF file using the Adobe PDF printer.
- Observed behavior
- The pictures are entirely missing from the resulting PDF document after the conversion process completes.
Ensure that your Microsoft Word software is fully updated. It is also recommended to check your Adobe Acrobat XI build number, as older versions may have compatibility issues with Word 2016.
Use Word's Built-in 'Save As PDF' Feature
Bypassing the Adobe PDF printer and using Word's native PDF export feature helps determine if the issue lies with Acrobat's printer driver or the document itself.
Microsoft Word includes a native PDF converter that processes images differently than a virtual PDF printer. Testing this method can isolate the root cause of the missing images.
Launch Word 2016 and open the document that contains the disappearing images.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner of the screen, then select 'Save As'.
Choose your desired save location. In the 'Save as type' dropdown menu, select 'PDF (*.pdf)'.
Click the 'Save' button. Open the newly created PDF file to verify if the images are now visible.
Adjust Adobe PDF Printer Image Settings
The Adobe PDF printer might be configured to downsample or compress images too aggressively, causing them to fail during rendering.
Convert Word to PDF Without Losing Images Using WPS Office
WPS Office provides a highly reliable, built-in PDF conversion tool that accurately preserves all images, formatting, and layouts from your original document without needing third-party printer drivers.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your Word document (.docx) containing the images.
- 2. Access the Export tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, then select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Export and save: Choose your save location, ensure image quality settings are set to high, and click the 'Export' button to generate a flawless PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do pictures disappear when I convert a Word document to PDF?
This usually happens due to conflicting printer driver settings, aggressive image compression within the PDF conversion tool, or images in Word being formatted with unsupported wrapping styles that conflict with third-party virtual printers.
Can updating Adobe Acrobat fix the missing images issue?
Yes, older versions like Acrobat XI are no longer supported and frequently have compatibility issues with newer versions of Microsoft Word (like Word 2016). Updating to the latest Adobe Acrobat build can resolve these rendering bugs.
Are there specific image formats in Word that fail to convert to PDF?
While standard formats like JPEG and PNG convert easily, EPS files or highly complex vector graphics embedded in Word documents sometimes fail to render through virtual PDF printers. Converting those specific images to PNG format before exporting can help.
