How to Fix Adobe Acrobat DC Printing Only Headings and Blank Pages
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where printing a PDF document results in incomplete printouts.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat DC after a recent software update.
- Observed behavior
- The printer outputs pages that contain only the headings, leaving the body text and the rest of the PDF pages completely blank.
Print a test page from another application, such as a web browser or word processor, to confirm your printer is functioning correctly and has sufficient ink.
Install the Latest Acrobat Update
Updating to version 19.008.20074 or later directly patches the known printing bug in Adobe Acrobat DC.
The issue of printing only headings with blank body text is a documented software bug specific to Adobe Acrobat DC version 19.008.20071.41678. Adobe has released a hotfix for this issue in subsequent minor updates.
Launch your Adobe Acrobat DC or Adobe Reader DC application.
Click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, then select 'Check for Updates...' from the dropdown menu.
Follow the on-screen prompts in the Adobe Updater window to download and install version 19.008.20074 or a later release. Restart the application once finished.
Use the Print As Image Workaround
If you are unable to install the update immediately, printing the PDF as an image forces the printer to bypass the faulty text rendering engine.
Print PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to fail or restricts your printing capabilities due to software bugs, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and free alternative. Its built-in PDF reader securely processes and prints all text, headings, and images without rendering issues.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and drag your PDF file directly into the workspace, or click 'Open' to browse for your file.
- 2. Access the Print Menu: Click the 'Print' icon on the top-left toolbar, or simply press the 'Ctrl + P' shortcut on your keyboard.
- 3. Print the Document: Select your active printer from the dropdown list, adjust your page range if needed, and click 'Print' to output the entire document perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my current version of Adobe Acrobat DC?
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, click on 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat Pro DC' or 'About Adobe Acrobat Reader DC'. A pop-up window will appear displaying your exact version number.
Why does my PDF look fine on screen but print blank?
This happens when the software's screen rendering engine works correctly, but its print spooling engine fails to process the text layers. In version 19.008.20071, an Adobe bug specifically disrupted the way body text was sent to the printer.
Does printing as an image lower the document quality?
Printing as an image rasterizes the document. While it guarantees all visible elements will print, it may slightly reduce the sharpness of small text compared to standard vector printing. You can adjust the DPI settings in the 'Advanced' print menu to improve the output quality.
