Fix Print Button Not Working in Embedded Acrobat Reader
Question details
The user is unable to print PDF files from an embedded Adobe Acrobat Reader (64-bit) application, as the print dialog fails to appear.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 10 version 2004
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document directly from an embedded Acrobat Reader application by clicking the print button or using keyboard shortcuts.
- Observed behavior
- Clicking the print button or pressing Ctrl+P does not trigger the print dialog in the 64-bit version, whereas the 32-bit client functions normally.
Verify whether your system is running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, and ensure you have administrative privileges to install or uninstall applications on your Windows 10 device.
Switch to the 32-bit Acrobat Reader Client
Replacing the 64-bit client with the 32-bit version serves as an immediate and effective workaround for this specific compatibility issue.
The embedded Acrobat integration occasionally suffers from architecture mismatch issues on certain builds of Windows 10 when utilizing the 64-bit process. The 32-bit client bypasses this integration failure.
Press Windows Key + I to open Settings, navigate to 'Apps', locate 'Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (64-bit)' in the installed apps list, and click 'Uninstall'.
Go to the official Adobe Acrobat Reader download page. Before downloading, click on 'More download options' to specifically select the 32-bit version for Windows.
Run the downloaded installer. Once the installation is complete, reopen your embedded PDF application and try clicking the print button or pressing Ctrl+P.
Update Windows and Acrobat Reader
Installing the latest system patches and Adobe updates can resolve underlying bugs causing the 64-bit print failure.
Print PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
Avoid embedded application integration errors entirely by managing your PDF documents with WPS Office. Its built-in PDF tool provides a stable, standalone environment to view, edit, and print PDFs without relying on third-party plugins.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF file: Launch WPS Office and drag your PDF file into the workspace, or use 'Open' to select the document.
- 3. Print directly: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P. Configure your printing preferences in the reliable WPS print dialog and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 32-bit Acrobat Reader work when the 64-bit version fails?
This is typically caused by an architecture mismatch. The host application embedding the PDF viewer may be designed for 32-bit API interactions, causing communication failures—like triggering the print dialog—when forcing integration with a 64-bit background process on specific Windows 10 builds.
Does pressing Ctrl+P bypass the broken print button in embedded Reader?
In this specific issue on Windows 10 version 2004 with the 64-bit client, pressing Ctrl+P also fails to trigger the print dialog. The underlying print command fails regardless of whether it is triggered via the UI button or the keyboard shortcut.
How can I verify if I have the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Acrobat Reader installed?
Open Adobe Acrobat Reader, navigate to the 'Help' menu at the top, and click 'About Adobe Acrobat Reader'. The resulting pop-up window will explicitly state whether your installed version is 32-bit or 64-bit.
Can I run both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Acrobat Reader on the same machine?
No, Adobe Acrobat Reader typically only allows one architecture to be installed at a time. You must uninstall the 64-bit client completely before installing the 32-bit version to avoid conflicts.
