How to Fix PDF Printing as Blank Pages
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where printing a PDF document results in blank pages.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document to a physical printer using a desktop PDF viewer.
- Observed behavior
- The printer outputs completely blank pages for PDF files, while successfully printing Word, Excel, or other document types.
Before proceeding, try printing a different PDF file to determine if the issue is specific to a single document or affects all PDFs on your computer.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypass PDF rendering and font issues by sending the document to the printer as a flattened image.
Sometimes a printer struggles to process the complex fonts, layers, or graphics embedded within a PDF. Forcing the PDF viewer to send the document as a simple image bypasses these rendering problems.
Open your problematic PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Reader or your preferred PDF viewer, then click on 'File' > 'Print' (or press Ctrl+P).
In the Print dialog box, locate and click the 'Advanced' button near the top of the window.
Check the box labeled 'Print as Image'. Click 'OK' to close the advanced settings window.
Click the 'Print' button to send the document to your printer and verify if the pages print correctly.
Update or Reinstall Your Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause specific file types like PDFs to print incorrectly.
Print and Manage PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
If your current PDF reader is causing blank pages, switch to WPS Office. It includes a robust built-in PDF tool that processes complex documents efficiently, ensuring what you see on the screen is exactly what gets printed.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and drag your problematic PDF file into the application workspace.
- 2. Open the Print Menu: Click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P to access the print configuration.
- 3. Configure Print Settings: Select your printer and ensure the paper size matches your physical paper. Check 'Print as Image' if you suspect the file is complex.
- 4. Print the Document: Click 'Print' to securely send the rendered PDF document to your printer without blank page errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my PDF printing blank when Word documents print fine?
PDFs render differently than Word documents. If a PDF contains complex fonts, corrupted graphics, or layers that the printer driver cannot interpret, the spooler may fail, resulting in a blank page. Printing as an image usually resolves this.
How do I know if my PDF file is corrupted?
If other PDF files print normally on the same printer and only one specific file prints blank, that file is likely corrupted or has strict print restrictions. Try downloading or requesting a new copy of the file.
Can incorrect page size settings cause blank printed pages?
Yes. If the PDF page size does not match the paper loaded in your printer and 'Fit to Page' is not selected, the printer might attempt to print outside the printable area, resulting in blank pages.
Does updating my PDF software fix printing issues?
Often, yes. Outdated PDF viewers can have bugs that prevent proper communication with modern printer drivers. Ensure your PDF reader, like WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat, is updated to the latest version.
