How to Fix PDF Printing to OneNote Instead of a Physical Printer
Question details
The user is trying to print a PDF document to a physical printer, but the application automatically sends it to Microsoft OneNote instead.
- Product
- PDF Reader
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Printing a PDF document using a desktop PDF reader.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF is saved or sent to Microsoft OneNote as a virtual printout instead of printing on the intended physical printer device.
Ensure your physical printer is powered on, properly connected to your computer or network, and has the latest drivers installed.
Select the Correct Printer in the Print Dialog
Manually choose your physical printer instead of the OneNote virtual printer before confirming the print job.
PDF readers like Acrobat use the printers installed by your operating system. If OneNote was used recently or set as a temporary default, the application will default to it during your current session.
With your PDF open, click on 'File' in the top menu and select 'Print', or simply press Ctrl + P on your keyboard to open the print dialog box.
Look for the 'Printer' or 'Name' drop-down menu located near the top of the Print dialog window.
Click the drop-down menu and change the selection from 'Send to OneNote' to the specific name of your physical printer model.
Adjust any necessary page ranges or copies, then click the 'Print' button to send the document to the correct device.
Set Your Physical Printer as the Windows Default
Prevent OneNote from being selected automatically in the future by changing your Windows default printer settings.
Easily Manage Your PDF Printing with WPS PDF
WPS Office includes a powerful built-in PDF reader that makes printing your documents straightforward. You can quickly select your preferred physical printer, preview your document, and manage page settings all in one intuitive interface.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file you wish to print.
- 2. Access the Print Dialog: Click the 'Print' icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl + P to open the print settings.
- 3. Select Your Printer: In the Print window, click the 'Printer' drop-down menu and select your actual physical printer from the list.
- 4. Confirm and Print: Verify your page preview and layout settings, then click 'Print' to generate your physical copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my computer keep defaulting to OneNote when I print?
This usually happens because 'Send to OneNote' was accidentally set as your default printer, or the 'Let Windows manage my default printer' setting is active, which changes your default based on the last printer you used.
Can I delete the 'Send to OneNote' printer if I don't use it?
Yes. You can remove it by going to Windows Settings > Printers & scanners, clicking on 'Send to OneNote', and selecting 'Remove'. This prevents it from accidentally appearing in your printer list during print jobs.
Does this issue only happen with PDF files?
No, this is a system-wide setting. If OneNote is set as the default virtual printer, any document, webpage, or image you try to print from any application will be sent to OneNote unless you manually change the printer in the print dialog.
