How to Fix Acrobat Reader DC Print Jobs Stuck in Spooling
Question details
The user's PDF print jobs are getting stuck in the spooling state after upgrading from Adobe Reader XI to Acrobat Reader DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 7, Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to print PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
- Observed behavior
- Print jobs remain stuck in the spooling queue indefinitely. Restarting the computer provides only a temporary fix before the issue returns.
Before diving into system settings, try printing the same PDF file from a different PDF viewer or web browser to confirm if the issue is specific to Acrobat Reader DC or your printer hardware.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypassing standard text and font processing can quickly resolve document-specific spooling errors caused by complex PDF layers.
Open the problematic PDF in Acrobat Reader DC and click 'File' > 'Print' to open the print dialog box.
Click the 'Advanced' button located near the top of the Print dialog box.
Check the box for 'Print As Image'. Click 'OK' to save the setting, and then click 'Print' to test if the spooling issue is resolved.
Restart and Clear the Windows Print Spooler Service
Clearing stuck print jobs and restarting the spooler service forces Windows to refresh the print queue and clear out corrupt temporary files.
Update Printer Drivers and Acrobat Reader
Outdated software or incompatible drivers after upgrading to the DC version are common causes of spooling stalls.
Print PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If Acrobat Reader DC continues to cause spooling issues on your Windows PC, try using WPS Office. Its built-in PDF tool allows you to open, view, and print PDF documents quickly without overloading your Windows print spooler.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Windows computer.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office, select the 'PDF' tab, and open the document that was stuck in spooling.
- 3. Open Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P.
- 4. Select Printer: Choose your active printer from the drop-down menu and adjust your printing preferences.
- 5. Print the Document: Click 'Print' to send the document directly to the printer without spooling delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do print jobs get stuck in spooling only in Acrobat Reader DC?
Acrobat Reader DC processes fonts, layers, and graphics differently than older versions like Reader XI. If your printer driver cannot interpret this specific data efficiently, the Windows spooler may hang while trying to translate the file for the printer.
Will reinstalling my printer fix PDF spooling issues?
Yes, completely removing the printer from your Windows 'Devices and Printers' settings and reinstalling it with the latest manufacturer drivers often resolves communication errors between Acrobat Reader DC and the print spooler.
Does the size of the PDF affect print spooling?
Absolutely. Large PDFs with high-resolution images, embedded fonts, or complex vector graphics take longer to spool. Using the 'Print as Image' option helps flatten the file into a simple bitmap, making it much faster for the spooler to process.
