Fix Web Page Prints Rotated When Saving as Landscape PDF
Question details
Users experience a 90-degree rotation issue when trying to print a web page from Google Chrome to an Adobe PDF in landscape orientation.
- Product
- Google Chrome / Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Saving a web page as a PDF in landscape format via the print dialog.
- Observed behavior
- The resulting PDF document or its images are incorrectly rotated by 90 degrees.
Ensure your Google Chrome browser and your virtual PDF printer software are updated to the latest versions to rule out known orientation rendering bugs.
Use Chrome's Built-in 'Save as PDF' Option
Bypass the Adobe PDF virtual printer entirely by using Chrome's native PDF generator, which often handles landscape orientation more accurately.
Google Chrome includes a native PDF generator that does not rely on external printer drivers like Acrobat Distiller. Using this built-in feature bypasses configuration conflicts between the browser and third-party virtual printers.
Press Ctrl + P or click the three-dot menu in Chrome and select 'Print'.
Click the 'Destination' dropdown and select 'Save as PDF' instead of 'Adobe PDF'.
Under the 'Layout' option, select 'Landscape'.
Click the 'Save' button and choose where to store your correctly oriented PDF.
Adjust Adobe PDF Printer and Distiller Properties
Ensure that the landscape setting is consistently applied in both Chrome's print dialog and the Adobe PDF printer preferences.
Manage and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter formatting and rotation issues with virtual PDF printers, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, offering powerful built-in PDF editing, viewing, and creation tools without orientation glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my landscape PDF print sideways when using a virtual printer?
This usually happens due to a conflict between the browser's layout settings and the virtual printer's default properties. The printer driver may automatically rotate the page to fit its default portrait paper size instead of honoring the browser's landscape request.
Can I permanently fix Adobe PDF printer rotation issues on Windows?
Yes. You can change the default printing preferences of the Adobe PDF printer via the Windows Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners menu. Select the Adobe PDF printer, click Manage, then Printing preferences, and ensure the default orientation matches your needs.
How do I rotate a PDF after it has been saved incorrectly?
If your PDF is already saved sideways, you can open it in a PDF editor like WPS Office. Navigate to the Page or Edit tab, select the rotate tool, rotate the affected pages by 90 degrees, and save the document again.
