How to Fix the 'Stopped: Filter Failed' PDF Printing Error on Mac
Question details
The user encounters a 'Stopped: Filter failed' error when trying to print PDF documents on a Mac, preventing the file from printing successfully.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document, typically after a recent macOS system update or printer driver update.
- Observed behavior
- The printing queue halts and displays the specific error message 'Stopped: Filter failed', and the printer does not output the document.
Ensure you know your exact printer model (e.g., Canon MP830) and have administrative privileges on your Mac to remove and add devices.
Clean Reinstall the Latest Printer Driver
The most effective way to resolve filter failures is to remove the corrupted printer setup and install the newest driver directly from the manufacturer.
macOS updates frequently cause older printer drivers to break, resulting in filter errors when applications like Acrobat try to send complex PDF data to the spooler. Relying on Apple's automatic driver detection often installs generic or outdated drivers that do not resolve the issue.
Click the Apple menu, go to 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), and select 'Printers & Scanners'. Select your current printer from the list and click the 'Remove Printer' button (or the minus '-' icon).
Open your web browser and navigate to your printer manufacturer's official support website (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson). Search for your specific printer model and download the latest driver tailored for your current version of macOS.
Open the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. Do not let your Mac automatically detect and install its own driver during this process.
Restart your Mac. Go back to 'Printers & Scanners', click the 'Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax' button (or the plus '+' icon), and select your printer from the list, ensuring the newly installed driver is selected in the 'Use' dropdown menu.
Isolate the Issue Using Alternative Applications
Test printing from different applications and file types to determine if the error is isolated to Adobe Acrobat or if it's a system-wide macOS issue.
Print PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to produce 'Filter failed' errors on your Mac, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and printing PDFs without heavy system overhead or frequent driver conflicts.
- 1. Download and install: Get WPS Office for Mac from the official website and install the application.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file you are trying to print.
- 3. Print the document: Click 'File' and select 'Print', choose your printer, and hit print to bypass Acrobat's filter issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Stopped: Filter failed' error happen on Mac?
This error typically occurs when the macOS print system (CUPS) cannot process the document data correctly. It is most often caused by an incompatible, outdated, or corrupted printer driver, and frequently appears right after a major macOS system update.
Can I use Apple AirPrint to avoid downloading manufacturer drivers?
Yes. If your printer supports Apple AirPrint, you can bypass manufacturer drivers. Go to 'Printers & Scanners', remove your printer, and re-add it. In the 'Use' drop-down menu during setup, select 'AirPrint' instead of the manufacturer's driver.
Does the 'Filter failed' error only happen in Adobe Acrobat?
While it is very common in Adobe Acrobat and Reader due to how they render advanced PDF print jobs, it can happen in any application if the underlying macOS printer driver is entirely corrupted or incompatible.
