How to Fix Acrobat Reader DC Printing PDFs Slowly or Continuously
Question details
The user is experiencing severe performance issues when printing PDF documents, where single pages take minutes to print and multi-page files print endlessly.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 7
- Scenario
- Printing single-page or multi-page PDF documents to a local or network printer.
- Observed behavior
- A one-page PDF takes several minutes to finish printing, while multipage documents continue printing in an endless loop until the printer is manually stopped.
Ensure your printer is powered on, securely connected to your computer, and verify that no other documents are currently stuck in your Windows print queue before applying software updates.
Update Acrobat Reader DC to the Latest Version
Installing Adobe's official patch (version 19.008.20080 or later) directly addresses and resolves this known printing bug.
This specific printing error was identified as a software bug following a previous Acrobat Reader update on Windows 7. Adobe has released a dedicated patch to fix the print spooler communication issues causing the slow and continuous printing loops.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader DC on your Windows computer.
Click on the 'Help' tab located on the top menu bar of the application window.
Select 'Check for Updates' from the drop-down menu.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install update 19.008.20080 or newer, then restart your computer to apply the changes.
Manually Download and Install the Adobe Patch
If the built-in update tool fails or crashes, you can download the specific patch directly from Adobe's official release notes.
Print PDFs Quickly and Flawlessly with WPS Office
If Acrobat Reader DC continues to struggle with slow or endless printing, you can easily open and print your PDF documents using the built-in WPS PDF tool. It is lightweight, fast, and handles both single and multi-page documents effortlessly without spooler errors.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free on your Windows computer.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click your PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose 'WPS Office'.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Click on the 'Print' icon in the top left toolbar or simply press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
- 4. Print Your Document: Select your printer, adjust your printing preferences, and click 'Print' for immediate and accurate output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my printer continuously printing the same PDF pages?
This is often caused by a software glitch or a corrupted print spooler communication in older versions of PDF readers like Acrobat DC. The software continuously resends the print command to the printer. Updating the software usually patches the bug and stops the endless loop.
Can I fix slow PDF printing without updating Acrobat Reader?
You can try selecting 'Print as Image' in the Advanced print settings of your PDF reader. This flattens the document and can sometimes bypass complex rendering issues that cause the printer to process data too slowly.
How do I clear the print queue if my printer won't stop printing?
Open the Windows Control Panel, go to 'Devices and Printers', right-click your active printer, and select 'See what's printing'. Click 'Printer' in the top menu bar, then select 'Cancel All Documents'. You may also need to restart the Print Spooler service in Windows Services.
Does WPS Office support printing PDFs on Windows 7?
Yes, WPS Office is fully compatible with Windows 7. It includes a fast, reliable PDF reader that allows you to view, edit, and print PDFs without the slow-down or continuous printing issues found in some other legacy software.
