Cannot Print PDF? – Top 5 Solutions to Fix It

Jack

By Jack

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Cannot Print PDF

Cannot print PDF and feel frustrated? Your frustration is over as we explain how to fix the issue using 05 practical solutions. Continue reading this guide and learn all those solutions to fix the issue on your own.

Being modern-day computer users, we tend to use PDF files more often than not. PDF format is very handy for transferring documents without affecting their original format.

But what if you composed or received a very important PDF document and cannot print it?

In many cases, we need our documents to be printed. So, in case you cannot print PDF, read this guide and learn how to get it done.

Part 1: Reasons Why You Cannot Print PDF

There are many cases in which you cannot necessarily print PDF files. As we believe, it is always better to know the reasons behind an issue before finding solutions to it. It can probably be due to an issue related to your hardware (such as a printer).

Or, you cannot print PDF when there’s an issue related to the PDF file itself or the Adobe software. To give you a clearer idea about it, we have listed those issues below.

  • You cannot print PDFs if the cable of the printer is not connected properly. If the cable is loosened, the required commands cannot be passed to the printer by the computer. As a result, your PDF will not be printed.
  • You cannot print PDF files or any other files if the drivers of your printer are outdated.
  • The PDF file you try to print is either damaged or corrupted for some reason.
  • You are using an older version of Adobe Acrobat.

If you wonder how to make a PDF Recovery, just read more.


Part 2: Solutions to Try if You Cannot Print PDF

As we mentioned just now, there are different issues that can prevent you from printing PDFs. However, the good news is that it is totally possible to fix this error. If you are already experiencing this issue, you can go through the solutions and pick the best one.

01. Check if the Drives of Your Printer Are Updated

Before everything else, you should check the drivers of your printer. If they are outdated, you cannot expect the printer to work properly. If the drivers are not updated, the device cannot communicate with the respective computer properly.

Also, outdated software will not support newer versions of Acrobat Reader. So, you should check if the drivers are properly updated. If it is not, you should update it to the latest version. To update the drivers of your printer, you are supposed to follow the instructions mentioned below.

  • First, please find the model number of the printer. Then, you should open the official website of the printer manufacturer to search for the drivers.
  • Compare the drivers with the model number of your printer.
  • Then, you should install the drivers according to the instructions provided on the screen. Please note that these steps might vary depending on the manufacturer.
  • Once the installation is properly completed, you should restart the computer. Now, the device should work if the issue is related to the drivers.

02. Configure Your Printer As “Default” if You Cannot Print PDF

Another solution to address this issue is by setting the printer as “Default” and testing. That will allow you to print the document easier. That will ensure that the document is automatically directed to the working printer immediately after giving the print command.

In other words, you don’t have to select the printer every time when you want to print a PDF. This is a great time-saving option, especially for those who are busy. Well, you can follow the steps below to configure your printer as the “Default” option.

  • First, click on the “Start Button” on the screen so you can launch the “Start Menu.” After that, you should enter the text “Control Panel” within the search box that appears. You should click on the icon in the Control Panel will be opened for configurations.
  • Now, please click on the “Devices and Printers” option after choosing the “Large Icons” option.
  • You will see a dialog box that displays the images of the printers. Locate your printer from the list and mark it with a green tick to set it as default.
  • If you don’t see such a mark on the printer, you should simply right-click on it. Then, from the popup menu, choose the option called “Set as Default Printer” to proceed.
Configure your printer as "Default"

That’s it. The printer with the green tick will start to function as the default printer from now on.

PS: what if you forgot PDF password? Here are the top solutions for you.

03. Check if the Respective PDF File is Corrupted

In certain cases, the PDF file itself can be the culprit. If it is damaged or corrupted, you cannot print PDF as expected. In fact, a PDF file can be damaged due to several reasons. To make sure the file is damaged, you should follow the instructions that are mentioned below.

Check if the respective PDF file is corrupted
  • First, you should open the respective PDF file in the Google Chrome browser. Then, you should print it.
  • If you cannot print the file using the Chrome browser as well, it might be corrupted already. If that is the case, you should find a way to repair the damaged PDF.

Those who don’t know how to fix a damaged PDF file can follow the instructions below to repair it.

  • Did you create the respective PDF file by yourself? If that is the case, you should create the file once again. After creating it, save it on the local drive directly.
  • However, have you downloaded the respective PDF file through a website or the cloud? If so, you should try downloading it again to the local drive.

Once you have done that, just try to print the file again and see if it works.

Also, let’s figure out how to convert PDF to HTML Python effortlessly.

04. Update the PDF Viewer or Change It if You Cannot Print the PDF

You may already know that it is required to have a PDF viewer to open any PDF document. Acrobat Reader is one of those common tools used to read PDFs. In certain cases, you cannot necessarily print your PDF if the reader is not updated.

In order to get this issue solved, you should update the PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat). If you don’t know how to install updates for Adobe Acrobat, you can use the steps mentioned below.

  • First, you should launch Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat on your computer to proceed. Then, you should click on the menu labeled “Help” and click on the option “Check for Updates.”
  • You can then follow the onscreen steps displayed on the Updater window to install the updates. This option will allow you to complete a clean update.
Update the PDF viewer or change it

If not, as an alternative, you can even consider changing the PDF viewer as well. If you want to do it smoothly, you can follow the steps mentioned below.

  • Go to any of the PDF files you have on your computer and perform right-click on it.
  • Then, choose the option called “Properties” from the popup menu that comes up.
  • You should now see a button called “Change.” Click on it, and you can choose Adobe Acrobat as the default application to open PDF hereafter.
Update the PDF viewer or change it

05. if There Are Any Print Restrictions on the PDF, Remove Them

In some cases, users tend to secure their PDF documents using Permission Passwords for extra protection. As a result, certain actions associated with those PDF files might be restricted for users.

For instance, users won’t be able to print, copy, edit, or even comment on those protected PDF files. If that is the case with your PDF files, you will not be able to print them. If you want to know how to remove those potential restrictions, you can follow the steps below.

● Remove the “Print Restriction” Option Using a Password

If you already know the password which is used to protect the PDF file, the process is much easier. In that case, you can remove the password using Adobe Acrobat. You can follow the steps mentioned below and remove those restrictions.

  • Launch the PDF file (which is required to print) in Adobe Acrobat to begin the process. Now, you should see a padlock sign on its left panel. Just click on it and choose “Permission Details,” which will open a new window.
  • Now, you should select the button labeled “Change Settings.” You will have to enter the password at this point.
  • Now, you should either remove or change the permissions password on the PDF file. You could print the PDF file now if the case is related to password protection.
Remove the "Print Restriction" option using a password

Also, if you wonder how to scan multiple pages into one PDF, here are the top solutions for you.


FAQs

FAQ 1: Why does my printer only print blank pages when I try to print a PDF?

This issue may occur due to various reasons, such as incompatible printer drivers, incorrect print settings, or a corrupted PDF file. Follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article to resolve the problem.

FAQ 2: How can I fix the “Cannot print PDF” error on a Mac computer?

On a Mac computer, ensure that your printer is properly connected and set as the default printer. Update the printer drivers and verify the PDF file’s compatibility with your printer. Additionally, adjust the print settings according to your requirements.

FAQ 3: Can I print a password-protected PDF file?

Printing a password-protected PDF file depends on the permissions set by the document’s creator. If the creator has allowed printing, you can print the file by entering the correct password. However, if printing is restricted, you will need to obtain the necessary permissions or contact the document’s creator for assistance.

FAQ 4: What should I do if the PDF file is too large to print?

If the PDF file is too large to print, you can try reducing its size by compressing the images or using PDF optimization tools. Alternatively, print the PDF in smaller sections or consider printing it on a high-capacity printer capable of handling large files.

FAQ 5: Is there a way to print only specific pages from a PDF document?

Yes, most PDF viewers and printing software allow you to select specific pages or page ranges for printing. Before initiating the print command, specify the page numbers or range in the print settings to print only the desired pages.

Conclusion

Well, those are the solutions you should try if you cannot print PDFs as expected. Please let us know if you have any other queries related to this matter.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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