How to Fix Visio PDFMaker Hanging During PDF Creation in Acrobat XI
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where generating a PDF from Visio 2013 using the Acrobat Pro XI PDFMaker add-in causes the application to hang and fail to complete the process.

- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro XI / Microsoft Visio 2013
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Converting a Microsoft Visio diagram into a PDF document using the Acrobat PDFMaker COM add-in.
- Observed behavior
- The PDFMaker process starts but never completes the PDF generation, freezing or hanging indefinitely on Windows 10.
Ensure you have saved your Visio document to prevent data loss in case the application forcefully closes, and verify that your Windows 10 system is connected to the internet to download any required patches.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Restart Windows
Installing the latest software patches can resolve compatibility and hanging issues between Acrobat XI and Microsoft Office applications.
Compatibility issues often arise when older versions of Acrobat XI run on Windows 10 alongside Visio 2013. Adobe frequently releases patches to address COM add-in instability.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro XI, navigate to the top menu, and select 'Help' > 'Check for Updates'.
Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install any available updates for your software version.
Reboot Windows 10 completely to ensure the new registry keys and add-in files are properly registered.
Open Microsoft Visio 2013 and attempt to create a PDF using the Acrobat PDFMaker ribbon to see if the hanging issue is resolved.

Use Visio's Native PDF Export Feature
Bypass the faulty Acrobat PDFMaker add-in entirely by using Microsoft Visio's built-in PDF conversion tools.
Enhance Your PDF Workflow with WPS Office
Troubleshooting outdated third-party add-ins can disrupt your productivity. Switch to WPS Office, a comprehensive and lightweight suite that handles document creation and built-in PDF conversions smoothly without relying on external plugins.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the straightforward prompts to install the lightweight suite.
- 3. Convert seamlessly: Open your documents and use the integrated 'Export to PDF' tool for reliable, fast conversions.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat PDFMaker freeze specifically in Visio 2013?
The freeze is typically caused by a mismatch in software architecture or compatibility conflicts between Visio 2013 and the Acrobat XI COM add-in on Windows 10 environments.
Can I convert Visio files to PDF without using Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, you can easily bypass Acrobat by opening your Visio document and navigating to File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document to save it natively as a PDF.
How do I check if the Acrobat PDFMaker add-in is enabled in Visio?
Open Visio, go to File > Options > Add-Ins. Look at the 'Manage' dropdown at the bottom, select 'COM Add-ins', click 'Go', and verify that the box next to 'Acrobat PDFMaker Office COM Addin' is checked.
Will reinstalling Acrobat XI fix the PDFMaker hanging issue?
Reinstalling Acrobat XI can sometimes repair missing or corrupted registry entries linked to PDFMaker. However, updating the software via Help > Check for Updates is usually the faster and more effective first step.




