How to Fix PDF Printing Problems on macOS Big Sur
Question details
Users are experiencing issues where PDF documents print as completely blank pages or with significantly missing content after upgrading their operating system.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat, Apple Preview
- Device & OS
- macOS Big Sur
- Scenario
- Attempting to print PDF documents natively or through third-party applications after a recent macOS Big Sur upgrade.
- Observed behavior
- PDFs print out as blank pages or with missing elements across multiple PDF viewing applications, despite the printer functioning for other formats.
Ensure your printer is properly connected to your Mac and turned on. Verify that the printer has enough ink and paper, and try printing a standard text document to confirm basic printer functionality before troubleshooting the PDF software.
Update macOS, PDF Viewers, and Printer Drivers
Outdated software or incompatible printer drivers are the most common causes of printing issues after a major macOS upgrade.
Major operating system updates often change how background printing systems communicate with installed software. Ensuring all components are running the latest versions will resolve most software conflicts.
Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update. Install any pending updates for macOS Big Sur to fix known system bugs.
If using Adobe Acrobat, open the app, click 'Help' in the top menu, and select 'Check for Updates'. For Apple Preview, updates are automatically included with macOS updates.
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners. Select your printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it. Then, click the plus (+) button to re-add it, which prompts macOS to fetch the latest compatible drivers.
Grant File and Folder Access Permissions
macOS restricts apps from accessing external drives or specific folders without explicit permission, which can block PDF printing.
Print the PDF as an Image
Printing the document as an image bypasses complex font and formatting processing, which often resolves blank page errors.
Print PDFs Effortlessly on Mac Using WPS Office
If you are facing persistent printing errors with Adobe Acrobat or Apple Preview on macOS Big Sur, try WPS Office. It includes a powerful built-in PDF reader and editor that provides a stable printing experience with excellent format compatibility.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and complete the installation process.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on 'Open', and select the problematic PDF file from your Mac's storage.
- 3. Configure Print Settings: Go to the Menu and click 'Print' or press Command + P. Adjust your printer settings, page range, and number of copies as needed.
- 4. Print the Document: Click the 'Print' button to send the document to your printer using WPS Office's highly compatible print engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my printer suddenly printing blank PDF pages after a Mac update?
Major macOS updates like Big Sur can cause compatibility issues with older printer drivers or introduce new security permissions that block PDF viewer applications from fully accessing the file's data during the print spooling process.
How do I know if my printer driver is compatible with macOS Big Sur?
You can check compatibility by visiting your printer manufacturer's official support website. Search for your specific printer model and see if updated drivers are available specifically for macOS 11 (Big Sur).
Does the 'Print as Image' feature reduce the quality of my printed PDF?
Printing as an image rasterizes the document, which can slightly reduce the sharpness of small text and increase processing time. However, it is an effective workaround when specific vector graphics or fonts are causing blank pages.
How do I fix Apple Preview if it keeps failing to print PDFs?
Since Preview is integrated directly into macOS, make sure your Mac is fully updated via System Preferences. If the issue persists, removing and re-adding your printer in the 'Printers & Scanners' settings will often reset the printing subsystem and restore normal Preview functionality.
