How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Not Printing PDF Files on macOS
Question details
The user is unable to print any PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on a Mac computer, even after the software was freshly installed.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document directly from the Adobe Acrobat application on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- The print operation fails, and the printer does not produce the requested document despite the software being installed properly.
Verify that your Mac is connected to the printer by trying to print a simple text document or a web page from another application, such as Safari or Apple Notes, to ensure the issue is isolated to Adobe Acrobat.
Verify Printer Selection and Update Software
Ensure the correct printer is selected in the print dialog and update both macOS and Acrobat to eliminate software compatibility bugs.
Sometimes Adobe Acrobat defaults to a disconnected or offline printer, or an outdated software version prevents communication with macOS printing services.
Open your PDF in Acrobat, click on 'File' > 'Print', and verify that the active, connected printer is selected in the 'Printer' dropdown menu at the top of the dialog box.
In Adobe Acrobat, go to the top menu bar, click on 'Help' > 'Check for Updates', and install any available updates. Restart Acrobat once finished.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), go to 'General', and click 'Software Update' to ensure your operating system is current.
Reset the macOS Printing System and Reinstall Drivers
Clear corrupted print queues and reinstall the latest printer drivers if communication between your Mac and the printer has failed.
Print PDF Files Seamlessly with WPS Office on Mac
If Adobe Acrobat continues to encounter printing errors, you can bypass the issue completely by using the built-in PDF reader in WPS Office to open and print your files easily on macOS.
- 1. Install WPS Office for Mac: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website or Mac App Store.
- 2. Open your PDF: Right-click the problematic PDF file on your Mac, select 'Open With', and choose 'WPS Office' from the list.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Once the document is open, click the 'Print' icon located on the top toolbar or press 'Command + P' on your keyboard.
- 4. Configure and Print: Select your printer, adjust any necessary settings such as page range or paper size, and click 'Print' to send the document to your printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac printer pause when I try to print a PDF from Acrobat?
The printer queue may pause automatically if it encounters an error, such as a paper jam, low ink, or a driver conflict. Open 'Printers & Scanners' in System Settings, click your printer, and select 'Printer Queue' to resume the process or view the specific error message.
Can I print a PDF as an image to bypass Acrobat errors on Mac?
Yes. Sometimes complex elements in a PDF cause printing failures. In Adobe Acrobat, go to File > Print, click on 'Advanced', check the box for 'Print As Image', click OK, and then attempt to print the file again.
What should I do if my PDF file is corrupted and won't print?
If only one specific PDF fails to print, the file may be corrupted. Try redownloading the file from its original source, asking the sender to re-export it, or opening and printing it using an alternative application like Apple Preview or WPS Office.
