How to Fix Missing Text and Blank Pages When Printing PDFs
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where printing a PDF results in missing text or completely blank pages, despite the document displaying correctly on the screen.
- Product
- PDF Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document to a physical printer.
- Observed behavior
- The printed output contains missing text or blank pages, even though the PDF looks perfectly fine on the computer screen.
Determine if the printing issue occurs with just one specific PDF or all PDF files by testing a different document, and ensure your printer has enough ink or toner.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypass font and structural processing errors by sending the document to the printer as a raster image.
When a PDF contains complex fonts, transparent layers, or improper formatting, the printer's memory may fail to process it correctly. Using the 'Print as Image' feature forces the PDF reader to send a simple image of the document to the printer, which often bypasses these errors.
Open the PDF document in your PDF reader (such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS Office). Go to the 'File' menu and select 'Print', or simply press Ctrl+P on your keyboard.
In the print dialog box, look for and click on the 'Advanced' button, typically located near the top right or bottom of the window.
Check the box labeled 'Print as Image'. Click 'OK' to save the advanced setting, and then click 'Print' to print your document.
Update PDF Reader and Printer Drivers
Ensure your PDF application, printer drivers, and printer firmware are fully up to date to resolve compatibility bugs.
Run an Accessibility Check to Find Embedded Font Errors
Missing text often results from fonts that were not properly embedded when the PDF was created. Running an accessibility checker can highlight these structural issues.
Print PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a lightweight and powerful PDF reader that renders and prints complex PDF files without missing text or formatting errors. Easily print your documents as images or edit PDF text directly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your computer from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Right-click your problematic PDF document and choose to open it using WPS PDF.
- 3. Open Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P to open the print interface.
- 4. Print as Image: Check the 'Print as Image' option if dealing with complex formatting, then click 'Print' to get your complete document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF look fine on screen but print blank?
This usually happens when the PDF contains complex formatting, transparent layers, or fonts that are not embedded correctly. The screen can render these elements dynamically, but the printer's memory struggles to process them during rasterization, resulting in missing text or blank pages.
How do I know if fonts are embedded properly in my PDF?
You can check font embedding by opening the PDF, going to 'File' > 'Properties' (or 'Document Properties'), and selecting the 'Fonts' tab. It will list all fonts used in the document and indicate if they are fully embedded or embedded as a subset.
Can a corrupted PDF cause blank pages when printing?
Yes. If the PDF file's internal structure was corrupted during the download process or when it was generated, the printer may fail to interpret the document data. Try re-downloading the file or exporting it to PDF again from the original source document.
Does 'Print as Image' affect the final print quality?
Printing as an image bypasses standard text vector rendering. This means your printer processes the page as a single picture, which can slightly reduce the sharpness of text and increase the time it takes to print. However, it is the most reliable workaround for ensuring all text and formatting actually appears on the paper.
