How to Fix Acrobat PDF Printing That Starts and Then Cancels
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where PDF printing initiates but automatically cancels before completion, typically occurring after switching computers or reinstalling software.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document after migrating to a new computer or performing a fresh software installation.
- Observed behavior
- The print job starts processing in the queue but suddenly cancels on its own without successfully printing the document.
Ensure that your printer is powered on, properly connected to your computer, and set as the default printer before adjusting any software settings or drivers.
Update Printer Drivers and Clear Stalled Print Jobs
Clearing the print queue and updating to the manufacturer's latest drivers resolves communication conflicts that cause print jobs to drop.
When moving to a new computer, the generic printer drivers installed by the operating system may not fully support complex PDF printing. Restarting the print spooler and installing official drivers usually restores normal functionality.
Open 'Printers & scanners' in your system settings, click on your printer, select 'Open queue', and cancel any pending or stalled print jobs.
Press Win + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down to locate the 'Print Spooler' service, right-click it, and select 'Restart'.
Visit your printer manufacturer's official website, download the latest printer driver specifically built for your operating system version, and install it.
Print the PDF as an Image
Printing a PDF as an image bypasses complex processing for fonts and graphics, which often causes standard print jobs to fail.
Print Your PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If Acrobat continues to cancel your print jobs, WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible PDF reader that processes and prints complex documents without unexpected errors.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Open your PDF: Right-click the problematic PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office from the list.
- 3. Print the document: Click the Print icon in the upper left corner or press Ctrl+P, select your printer, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do PDF print jobs randomly disappear from the queue?
This typically occurs when the print spooler crashes due to an outdated printer driver, or if the printer's memory is overloaded by a highly complex PDF file.
How can I tell if the issue is with my PDF or the printer?
Try printing a simple text document from Notepad or a different, basic PDF file. If those print successfully, your original PDF may be corrupted or contain graphics too complex for the current driver.
Will reinstalling Acrobat fix my printing problems?
Reinstalling the application can repair corrupted software files. However, if the issue started immediately after moving to a new PC or upgrading your OS, updating the printer drivers is usually the necessary fix.
