How to Fix Windows Printer Error 0x8007007e When Printing PDFs
Question details
The user is unable to print PDF files due to encountering Windows error code 0x8007007e, despite other file types like Word documents printing normally.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Windows
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document, often following a recent Windows OS or printer driver update.
- Observed behavior
- The print job fails specifically for PDF files and returns a Windows system error 0x8007007e, blocking the document from being sent to the printer.
Verify that your printer is properly connected and turned on, and ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows computer to restart services or reinstall drivers.
Restart Print Spooler and Reinstall Printer Drivers
Restarting the background printing service and installing a fresh driver package is the most effective way to eliminate driver corruption causing the 0x8007007e error.
Windows printer error 0x8007007e usually indicates a missing, conflicting, or corrupted driver file caused by a recent system update. Clearing the system's print spooler and starting fresh with the manufacturer's latest driver resolves this mismatch.
Press the Windows key + R, type 'services.msc', and press Enter. Scroll down the list, right-click on 'Print Spooler', and select 'Restart'.
Navigate to Windows Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Click on the printer experiencing the error and select 'Remove device'.
Visit the official website of your printer manufacturer, search for your exact printer model, and download the latest Windows driver package.
Run the downloaded driver installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall your printer with the updated driver files.
Print the PDF as an Image in Acrobat
Printing the document as an image bypasses standard text rendering, providing a quick workaround for PDF-specific printing errors.
Print PDFs Easily with WPS Office
If Acrobat continues to trigger printing errors, switch to WPS Office. Its built-in PDF reader offers a robust, alternative printing pipeline that bypasses Acrobat-specific conflicts while handling all your document needs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your Windows computer.
- 2. Open the PDF File: Right-click the PDF you want to print, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
- 3. Access the Print Settings: Click the Print icon in the top toolbar or press Ctrl + P to open the print dialog.
- 4. Print the Document: Verify your printer is selected in the drop-down menu and click the 'Print' button.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Windows Printer Error 0x8007007e?
Error 0x8007007e is typically caused by a missing or corrupted DLL file within the Windows printing subsystem, frequently occurring after a major Windows OS update or a botched printer driver installation.
Why do Word documents print perfectly but PDFs give an error?
PDF readers like Adobe Acrobat use a different, more complex graphic rendering pipeline than Microsoft Word. If a specific driver component responsible for processing these complex vectors is corrupted, the printer will fail exclusively on PDFs.
Can I fix error 0x8007007e without reinstalling drivers?
As a temporary fix, you can open the Advanced print settings in your PDF reader and select 'Print As Image'. However, to permanently resolve the system error, reinstalling the correct drivers and restarting the Print Spooler is highly recommended.
