Fix Unreadable PDF Pages When Printing After Windows 10 Update
Question details
The user needs to resolve a printing error where alternate pages of a PDF document are rendered unreadable after updating their operating system.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Reader DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Printing a multi-page PDF document on a computer that has recently been updated to Windows 10.
- Observed behavior
- Every other page of the PDF document prints as unreadable or garbled text, and reinstalling the PDF viewing software does not fix the issue.
Verify that your printer drivers are fully updated to their latest Windows 10 compatible versions, and test printing a different PDF document to determine if the issue is file-specific.
Print the PDF as an Image in Adobe Acrobat
Bypassing the standard text and font processing by sending the document to the printer as a rasterized image often resolves garbled or unreadable print issues caused by OS or driver conflicts.
When standard printing fails, Adobe Acrobat offers a built-in feature to print your document as an image. This rasterizes the file before sending it to the printer spooler, which prevents font rendering errors and driver miscommunications that typically cause unreadable output.
Open the problematic PDF file in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader DC. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the menu bar and select 'Print', or press the 'Ctrl + P' keyboard shortcut.
In the Print dialog box, locate and click the 'Advanced' button positioned near the top-center of the window.
In the Advanced Print Setup window, check the box labeled 'Print As Image'. You can leave the default resolution settings as they are.
Click 'OK' to close the Advanced settings window, then click the 'Print' button to send the document to your printer.
Print the PDF Using a Web Browser
If the desktop PDF application continues to fail, printing the document through a built-in browser PDF viewer provides an immediate and effective alternative.
Print PDFs Error-Free with WPS Office
If you continue to experience frustrating printing issues with your current PDF software, WPS Office provides a highly reliable, all-in-one PDF reader and editor that flawlessly handles document formatting and rendering on Windows 10.
- 1. Download and Install: Download the free version of WPS Office from the official website and install it on your Windows 10 PC.
- 2. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on the 'PDF' tab on the home screen, and open your problematic PDF file.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner, select 'Print' from the dropdown, or simply press Ctrl + P.
- 4. Print the Document: Ensure your default printer is selected, verify the preview displays correctly, and click the 'Print' button for clean, readable pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a Windows 10 update cause my PDFs to print unreadable?
Major operating system updates can sometimes reset printer spooler configurations, alter system font caching, or create driver conflicts with specific third-party PDF software. This miscommunication leads to garbled text or unreadable output during the final print rendering process.
Will updating my printer drivers fix the unreadable PDF pages?
Yes, cleanly reinstalling or updating your printer drivers from the manufacturer's official website ensures compatibility with the latest Windows 10 architecture. This frequently resolves underlying font rendering and page processing conflicts.
Is there a difference in quality when using 'Print as Image'?
Standard printing sends text and vector data directly to the printer, resulting in perfectly crisp lines. Printing as an image rasterizes the entire document into pixels first. While it bypasses rendering errors to fix unreadable pages, extremely fine text might appear slightly less sharp, and the print job will take longer to process.
