How to Fix Acrobat Pro DC Crashing When Printing or Opening Preferences
Question details
The user is experiencing abrupt application crashes when trying to print PDF documents or open the preferences menu in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document, change application preferences, or generate reports.
- Observed behavior
- The application suddenly closes or crashes without completing the intended action, likely related to print spooler errors or outdated driver software.
Before attempting the fixes, save any open work to prevent data loss, and check if the crash occurs with all PDF files or just one specific document.
Update Printer Drivers and Acrobat Software
Outdated printer drivers or older versions of Acrobat are the most common culprits for unexpected printing crashes.
Incompatible or corrupted printer drivers can disrupt the communication between Acrobat and the Windows print spooler, causing an immediate crash when the print dialog is invoked.
Open Windows Settings by pressing Win + I. Go to 'Devices', select 'Printers & scanners', click on your current printer, and select 'Remove device'.
Navigate to your printer manufacturer's official website, download the latest driver for Windows 10, and run the installer.
Go back to 'Printers & scanners' in Windows Settings, click 'Add a printer or scanner', and follow the prompts to add your newly updated printer.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Follow the on-screen instructions to install any available patches.
Reset Acrobat Preferences and Repair the Installation
Corrupted application preference files or missing core files can cause Acrobat to crash immediately when opening the Preferences menu.
Diagnose Print Spooler Errors via Event Viewer
If the crash specifically occurs when initiating a print job, diagnosing the Windows Print Spooler service can isolate the root cause.
Print and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If Acrobat continues to crash on your system, you can easily open, edit, and print your PDF files using WPS Office. It provides a highly stable, lightweight PDF toolset that avoids common printer spooler conflicts.
- 1. Download and Install: Download the latest version of WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the quick installation process.
- 2. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on 'Open' on the home screen, and browse your computer to select the PDF document you need to print.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Print', or simply press the Ctrl+P keyboard shortcut.
- 4. Configure and Print: Choose your target printer from the drop-down menu, adjust your page sizing and orientation preferences, and click 'Print' to successfully complete the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat crash only when I try to print?
This specific crash is typically caused by a communication failure between the application and the Windows Print Spooler service, often triggered by an outdated printer driver or a corrupted temporary print file.
Will resetting Acrobat preferences delete my PDF files?
No, resetting the preferences only reverts the application's internal settings (such as view modes, toolbars, and recent file lists) to their default states. It does not affect, modify, or delete any of your saved PDF documents.
How do I know if my printer driver is up to date?
You can check your current printer driver version in the Windows Device Manager under the 'Print queues' section. Compare this version number with the latest driver release listed on your printer manufacturer's official support website.
Does the file size of the PDF affect printing stability?
Yes. Exceptionally large PDF files containing complex vector graphics or high-resolution images can overwhelm the print spooler's memory allocation, leading to a crash. Printing the document as an image via the 'Advanced' print settings can sometimes bypass this issue.
