How to Fix HP Printer Error 49 When Printing PDFs in Acrobat Reader
Question details
The user encounters an Error 49 on their HP printer when attempting to print a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC / HP Printer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The HP printer goes offline and displays Error 49 when trying to print a PDF, even though Microsoft Office documents print normally.
Turn off your HP printer, disconnect it from the power source for 30 seconds, and restart it to clear its memory cache. Check your print queue and cancel any pending documents before attempting to print again.
Use the 'Print as Image' Feature in Acrobat Reader
Bypass complex PDF encoding issues that trigger Error 49 by sending the document to the printer as a rasterized image.
HP Printer Error 49 often occurs when the printer's processor cannot interpret complex PDF elements like layered graphics, custom fonts, or advanced encoding.
Printing the PDF as an image forces Acrobat Reader to process the document before sending it to the printer, resulting in a simpler, flatter file that the printer can easily understand.
Open the problematic PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and click on 'File' > 'Print' (or press Ctrl + P).
In the Print dialog box, locate and click on the 'Advanced' button near the top of the window.
Check the box labeled 'Print As Image'. You can leave the default resolution settings as they are.
Click 'OK' to close the Advanced settings, then click 'Print' to send the document to your HP printer.
Update HP Printer Firmware and Drivers
Outdated firmware or drivers can cause compatibility issues with modern PDF rendering engines.
Optimize or Recreate the PDF File
If only a specific PDF causes Error 49, the file may contain corrupted elements exceeding the printer's memory limits.
Print PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat Reader continues to trigger printer errors, try using the built-in PDF reader in WPS Office. It offers a lightweight and highly compatible rendering engine that often resolves complex printing tasks without overwhelming printer memory.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open the PDF: Right-click your problematic PDF document, select 'Open with', and choose WPS PDF.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Press Ctrl + P or click the Print icon in the top toolbar to open the print dialog.
- 4. Print the Document: Select your HP Printer from the dropdown menu, adjust your settings, and click 'Print' to send the document error-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Error 49 only happen when printing PDFs and not Word documents?
Error 49 typically occurs when the printer receives a complex command it cannot process. Word documents send simpler spool files, while PDFs can contain intricate layered graphics, advanced font handling, and complex encoding that overwhelm the printer's memory or firmware.
What exactly does HP Printer Error 49 mean?
Error 49 is a communication or firmware error indicating that the printer has received data it cannot interpret. This is often triggered by corrupted print jobs, outdated firmware, or complex document formatting that the printer's current driver cannot translate.
How do I quickly clear the Error 49 message from my HP printer?
Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait for 30 seconds. Meanwhile, open the print queue on your computer and cancel all pending print jobs. Plug the printer back in and turn it on to clear the error state.
