How to Fix Acrobat 'Filter Failed' Error When Printing PDFs on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to print PDF files directly from Adobe Acrobat to an HP LaserJet printer due to a filter failure error on macOS.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Sending a PDF document to an HP printer via Adobe Acrobat on a Mac computer.
- Observed behavior
- The macOS print queue displays a 'Stopped - filter failed' error and halts the job, even though other applications on the same Mac can print to the HP printer without issues.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the printer, turned on, and that you have administrator privileges to modify the system's Printers & Scanners settings.
Reset the macOS Printing System and Re-add the Printer
Resetting the printing system clears corrupted queues and driver misconfigurations that typically cause Acrobat to fail when sending print filters to HP printers.
This process will remove all configured printers and scanners from your Mac, clearing out any stuck jobs or conflicting temporary files. You will need to add your printer back manually afterward.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select 'System Preferences' (or 'System Settings'), and navigate to 'Printers & Scanners'.
Right-click (or Control-click) anywhere in the empty area of the printer list. Select 'Reset printing system...' from the context menu and confirm your choice by clicking 'Reset'.
When prompted, enter your Mac administrator username and password to authorize the reset, then wait until the printer list is completely empty.
Restart your computer to ensure all background print spooler services are refreshed.
Return to 'Printers & Scanners', click the Add (+) button, and select your HP printer. Under the 'Use' or 'Print Using' dropdown, make sure to select the specific HP printer driver rather than the default 'Secure AirPrint' option, then click 'Add'.
Update Acrobat, macOS, and HP Drivers
Software bugs in older Acrobat versions or revoked HP driver certificates can trigger a filter failure. Updating all related software ensures compatibility.
Print PDFs Smoothly on Mac with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat consistently triggers a filter error, try printing your PDFs using WPS Office. It offers a robust, built-in PDF reader that communicates reliably with macOS printers, bypassing Acrobat-specific driver conflicts entirely.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Install WPS Office for Mac from the official website and launch the application.
- 2. Open Your PDF File: Drag and drop your PDF document into the WPS Office workspace, or use File > Open to select it.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Click the 'Print' icon located in the top-left quick access toolbar or simply press Command + P on your keyboard.
- 4. Print Without Errors: Select your HP LaserJet from the printer dropdown menu, adjust your page settings, and click 'Print' to successfully print the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I only get the 'filter failed' error in Acrobat and not other Mac apps?
Adobe Acrobat uses custom print processing pipelines and advanced color management settings that interact differently with macOS print drivers. If the HP driver or macOS CUPS filter cannot process Acrobat's specific output formatting, the job fails, whereas native apps like Preview use standard Apple print paths that bypass the issue.
What does 'Stopped - filter failed' mean on a Mac?
macOS uses a printing system called CUPS, which relies on software filters to convert document data into a language the specific printer model understands. A 'filter failed' error means one of these software conversion steps crashed or was blocked, often due to an incompatible driver, a revoked security certificate, or a corrupted temporary file.
Does using AirPrint cause the filter failed error?
Sometimes. Apple's default AirPrint driver is excellent for standard printing but can occasionally clash with the advanced print settings sent by professional software like Acrobat. Manually switching to the manufacturer's dedicated HP driver in Printers & Scanners often resolves these conflicts.
How do I fix the HP revoked certificate issue from 2020?
If you are running an older macOS or haven't updated your drivers since 2020, your Mac might be blocking the HP printer driver because its security certificate expired or was revoked. To fix this, delete the printer from your Mac, download the latest 'HP Printer Drivers for macOS' directly from HP or Apple Support, and re-add the printer.
