How to Fix Acrobat PDFMaker Office Add-in Not Working After Update
Question details
The user needs to fix the Acrobat PDFMaker COM add-in in Microsoft Office, which stopped generating PDF files after a software update.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use the 'Save as Adobe PDF' command in Microsoft Office to convert a document to PDF format.
- Observed behavior
- Printing to Adobe PDF works, but the Office 'Save as Adobe PDF' command fails to create a file using the PDFMaker add-in.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer, as updating, repairing, or reinstalling Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat add-ins requires system-level permissions.
Install the Latest Acrobat and Reader Update
Applying the latest patch from Adobe can resolve known bugs with the PDFMaker add-in that were introduced in previous updates.
Software updates often contain bug fixes for compatibility issues between third-party add-ins and Microsoft Office. Installing the latest Adobe Acrobat patch is the most effective way to restore functionality.
Launch your Adobe Acrobat Pro DC application on your computer.
Navigate to the 'Help' menu located in the top menu bar and select 'Check for Updates'.
If an update is available, follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the latest patch containing the PDFMaker fix.
Reboot your computer completely to ensure the updated registry files and COM add-in changes are applied to Microsoft Office.
Open your Microsoft Office application (like Word or Excel) and try using the 'Save as Adobe PDF' command to see if the issue is resolved.
Verify and Re-enable the COM Add-in in Microsoft Office
If updating doesn't work, the add-in might have been disabled by Microsoft Office during the update process and needs to be manually re-enabled.
Convert Documents to PDF Seamlessly with WPS Office
Tired of troubleshooting broken third-party COM add-ins? WPS Office features a built-in, native 'Export to PDF' tool that works instantly without requiring external plugins like Adobe PDFMaker. It is a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that saves you time and frustration.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the document, spreadsheet, or presentation you want to convert.
- 2. Click Export to PDF: Navigate to the 'Menu' or the 'Tools' tab and select 'Export to PDF'.
- 3. Save the file: Choose your desired save location and click 'Export' to instantly generate a high-quality PDF file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'Print to Adobe PDF' work but 'Save as Adobe PDF' fails?
'Print to Adobe PDF' uses the system's print spooler and the Adobe PDF virtual printer driver, which operates independently of Office. In contrast, 'Save as Adobe PDF' relies on the PDFMaker COM Add-in, which integrates directly into Office and can break if software version updates cause compatibility mismatches.
How do I check if my Acrobat PDFMaker add-in is disabled in Office?
In your Microsoft Office application, go to File > Options > Add-ins. Look under the 'Inactive Application Add-ins' or 'Disabled Application Add-ins' sections to see if the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in is listed there. If it is, you can re-enable it via the Manage COM Add-ins menu.
Can a Microsoft Office update cause the Adobe add-in to stop working?
Yes, updates to either Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat can cause the PDFMaker COM add-in to malfunction. It is highly recommended to keep both applications updated to their latest versions to prevent these integration conflicts.
