How to Fix Adobe Acrobat PDF Printing Issues on macOS High Sierra
Question details
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC fails to print PDF documents correctly on macOS High Sierra, despite other applications printing without issue.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
- Scenario
- Attempting to print standard PDF files to an HP LaserJet Color MFP M281fdw printer using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
- Observed behavior
- PDF files fail to print or output incorrectly from Adobe Acrobat, whereas the same files print normally when using other Mac applications like Preview.
Ensure your HP LaserJet printer is securely connected to your Mac and powered on. Verify that you have sufficient paper and toner, and try restarting both your MacBook and the printer to clear out any temporary background printing spool errors.
Use the Print as Image Feature in Acrobat
Printing the document as an image bypasses complex formatting and font rendering processes that often cause Adobe Acrobat to fail on older macOS versions.
PDF files often contain complex vector graphics, embedded fonts, and layers that Adobe Acrobat attempts to process before sending to the printer. By printing as an image, Acrobat flattens the file, which usually bypasses the spooling errors related to macOS High Sierra or HP drivers.
Open your problematic PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and click on 'File' in the top menu, then select 'Print' to open the print dialog box.
Click on the 'Advanced' button located near the top right of the Print dialog box.
Check the box next to 'Print As Image'. If available, select your preferred DPI resolution. Click 'OK' to close the Advanced Print Setup dialog.
Click the 'Print' button to send the flattened image version of your document to your HP LaserJet printer.
Update Adobe Acrobat and HP Printer Drivers
Outdated software is a frequent cause of communication errors between macOS High Sierra, Adobe Acrobat, and external HP printers.
Test with a Different PDF Document
Determine if the printing problem is specific to a corrupted PDF file rather than the Acrobat application itself.
Print PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to struggle with your HP printer on macOS High Sierra, WPS Office offers a built-in, lightweight PDF reader that makes viewing and printing fast and error-free.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and drag and drop your problematic PDF document into the workspace.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon located on the top toolbar or press Command + P on your keyboard.
- 3. Select Your Printer: Choose your HP LaserJet Color MFP from the printer drop-down menu and adjust your layout settings.
- 4. Print the Document: Click 'Print' to send the document to your printer for a flawless, error-free output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF print normally from Mac Preview but not from Adobe Acrobat?
Mac Preview uses Apple's native macOS rendering engine, which can sometimes handle certain system fonts and graphics better than Adobe's proprietary engine on older operating systems like High Sierra. If Acrobat's engine encounters a specific font error, the print job will fail.
Where exactly is the 'Print as Image' option in Adobe Acrobat for Mac?
In the Acrobat Print dialog box, click the 'Advanced' button near the top right. The 'Print As Image' checkbox is located in the resulting Advanced Print Setup window. You can check it and select your desired DPI.
Does updating macOS High Sierra fix printer compatibility issues?
While Apple no longer provides major OS upgrades for High Sierra (10.13), installing the latest available security patches and specific HP printer driver updates from the Mac App Store can resolve lingering background communication errors.
What should I do if Acrobat crashes immediately when I click Print?
A crash upon clicking Print is typically caused by a corrupted printer driver or a conflict with macOS printing permissions. Try resetting the Mac printing system by right-clicking inside the 'Printers & Scanners' window and selecting 'Reset printing system', then reinstall your HP driver.
