How to Fix PDF Not Printing from Acrobat Pro DC on Mac
Question details
The user is experiencing a sudden issue where Adobe Acrobat Pro DC fails to print PDF files on a Mac, though a system restart temporarily restores the printing functionality.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- macOS (MacBook Air)
- Scenario
- Attempting to send a PDF document to a printer using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
- Observed behavior
- The application stops sending the print job to the printer without warning. Restarting the Mac clears the immediate spooler issue, but a permanent fix is required.
Verify that your printer is turned on, securely connected to your MacBook Air via Wi-Fi or USB, and that there are no paper jams or low ink warnings blocking the print queue.
Restart Devices and Reset the Mac Printing System
Resetting the macOS printing system clears out stuck print jobs and corrupted spooler files that prevent Acrobat from communicating with the printer.
A sudden printing failure is often caused by a stalled background print spooler. While restarting the Mac offers a temporary fix, a full reset of the printing system removes all underlying queue errors.
Close Adobe Acrobat Pro DC completely. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select 'Restart'.
Once your Mac has restarted, click the Apple logo, go to 'System Settings' (or System Preferences), and click on 'Printers & Scanners'.
Hold down the Control key and click anywhere in the list of printers on the left side. Select 'Reset printing system...' from the context menu that appears.
After the reset is complete, click the 'Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax...' button to reconnect your printer, then try printing your PDF again from Acrobat.
Update Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and macOS
Installing the latest software patches ensures compatibility between Adobe Acrobat and your macOS printer drivers.
Print the PDF as an Image
Printing the document as an image bypasses Acrobat's text and font rendering engine, which can often fix document-specific printing crashes.
Use WPS Office to Print PDFs on Mac
If Adobe Acrobat Pro DC continues to cause print spooler errors on your Mac, WPS Office provides a reliable, fast, and free alternative to open, manage, and print your PDF files without interruption.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office application for macOS from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and drag and drop your PDF file directly into the workspace to open it.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the 'Print' icon located on the top toolbar or press the Cmd + P keyboard shortcut.
- 4. Print the Document: Select your Mac's printer from the dropdown menu, adjust your layout preferences, and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Adobe Acrobat suddenly stop communicating with my Mac printer?
This issue is usually caused by a corrupted macOS print spooler file, an outdated printer driver, or background conflicts within Acrobat's rendering engine following a system update.
How do I know if the printing issue is with the PDF or Acrobat itself?
Try opening and printing a different, simpler PDF file. If the second file prints successfully, the original document likely has corrupted fonts or graphics. If neither prints, the issue lies with the Acrobat application or your Mac's print queue.
Will I lose my printer settings if I reset the Mac printing system?
Yes. Resetting the printing system removes all connected printers, scanners, and pending print jobs. You will need to re-add your printer via System Settings after the reset is complete.
Can I use an alternative app to print PDFs on Mac if Acrobat fails?
Yes. You can use the built-in macOS Preview app to quickly print documents, or install WPS Office for Mac, which offers robust, free PDF viewing and printing capabilities.
