How to Fix Acrobat Pro 2017 Cannot Print PDFs on macOS High Sierra
Question details
The user is unable to print PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 on a MacBook Pro running macOS High Sierra.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra
- Scenario
- Attempting to print PDF files to multiple available printers from a MacBook Pro.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat Pro 2017 fails to print the PDFs, whereas older versions like Acrobat XI print the identical files successfully.
Ensure your printer is securely connected to your Mac, powered on, and that you have successfully printed a non-PDF document to rule out general hardware or network connection issues.
Update Acrobat Pro 2017 to the Latest Version
Installing the newest software update is the most reliable way to patch known printing bugs on macOS High Sierra.
Software updates often contain patches for system-specific compatibility issues. Adobe periodically releases updates to fix known errors where the print spooler fails to communicate correctly with macOS printers.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017 on your Mac.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Help', and select 'Check for Updates'.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install any available updates, then restart your Mac.
Open your PDF file again and attempt to print it to verify the issue is resolved.
Print the PDF as an Image
If updating does not resolve the issue, printing the PDF as an image forces the printer to bypass complex font and formatting processing.
Print PDF Files Easily with WPS Office
If Acrobat Pro 2017 continues to experience compatibility issues with your macOS, WPS Office offers a robust, free built-in PDF reader. It handles PDF viewing and printing effortlessly without heavy system requirements.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch the application and drag your PDF file directly into the WPS workspace.
- 3. Print the Document: Click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Command + P to configure your printer and print the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat XI print successfully while Acrobat Pro 2017 fails?
Different versions of Acrobat utilize different internal rendering engines. Acrobat Pro 2017 may have specific compatibility conflicts with macOS High Sierra's print spooler that do not affect the older architecture of Acrobat XI.
How do I fix a stuck print queue on my Mac?
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, right-click (or Control-click) your printer in the list, and select 'Reset printing system'. Note that this will clear all pending print jobs.
Can corrupted PDF files cause printing errors?
Yes, if a PDF contains damaged font data or complex graphical elements, it may fail to print. Trying to print the file as an image or opening it in an alternative reader like WPS Office can help bypass these file-specific errors.
