How to Stop Adobe Acrobat from Saving a PRN File When Printing
Question details
The user needs to prevent Adobe Acrobat from prompting to save a PRN file when trying to print a document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Initiating the print command to send a PDF document to a physical printer.
- Observed behavior
- A 'Save As' dialog opens asking to save a .prn file instead of routing the document to the printer.
Ensure that your physical printer is powered on, securely connected to your computer, and recognized by your operating system.
Disable 'Print to File' in Acrobat Print Settings
The most common reason for this issue is that the 'Print to File' option has been accidentally enabled within Acrobat's advanced print settings.
Adobe Acrobat includes a legacy feature that allows you to print a document to a file (creating a .prn extension) instead of sending it to a physical printer. Clearing this setting usually resolves the problem immediately.
Open your PDF document in Adobe Acrobat DC and go to File > Print, or press Ctrl+P.
In the Printer drop-down menu at the top of the dialog box, make sure your actual physical printer is selected, not a virtual printer.
Click on the 'Advanced' button located near the top of the Print dialog box.
Locate the 'Print to File' checkbox in the advanced settings and uncheck it. Click OK to apply the change, then click Print to send your document to the printer.
Update Printer Drivers and Verify Windows Default
Use this solution if the 'Print to File' setting continuously resets or if the problem persists after changing the Acrobat print settings.
Use WPS Office as a Reliable PDF Viewer and Printer
If Adobe Acrobat continues to cause printing errors, WPS Office offers a built-in, lightweight PDF tool that makes viewing, editing, and printing PDF documents fast and hassle-free without legacy setting conflicts.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
- 2. Open PDF in WPS: Right-click your PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
- 3. Access Print Settings: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press Ctrl+P.
- 4. Print the Document: Select your physical printer from the list, adjust your preferences, and click Print.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PRN file and why is it created?
A PRN file contains the raw text and instructions for a specific printer. It is created when the 'Print to File' option is selected, allowing the file to be stored and printed later on a matching printer without needing the original software.
Why does the Print to File option keep turning back on in Acrobat?
This usually happens if your selected printer driver is corrupted, if you do not have sufficient user permissions to save application preferences, or if a virtual printer (like Microsoft Print to PDF) is set as your system's default.
Can I convert a PRN file back to a PDF?
Converting a PRN file back to a PDF is difficult because PRN files are heavily encoded with printer-specific instructions. It is much easier and recommended to reopen the original document and print it directly using a PDF virtual printer.
Does this PRN saving issue occur in other PDF readers?
While the 'Print to File' feature exists at the Windows system level, modern PDF readers like WPS PDF have simplified and streamlined printing interfaces that make it highly unlikely to accidentally enable this setting.
