PDF files won't print
Other documents print fine but a PDF won't, comes out blank or stalls. Try another PDF app, print it as an image and check the file itself.
Quick fix
Open the PDF in a different app, such as a web browser like Edge, Chrome or Safari, and print from there. If you use Adobe Acrobat Reader, click Advanced in its Print window and tick Print As Image, which gets around most problem files.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- Word documents and web pages print, but PDFs do not
- The PDF job sits in the queue or disappears
- Pages come out blank, missing text or with odd symbols
- The Print option is greyed out
Usually caused by
- A damaged or partly downloaded file
- Complex fonts, images or effects the driver struggles with
- Security settings in the PDF that block printing
- Outdated PDF app
- Very large file size
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Windows 11 / 10
0 of 5 steps tried
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Print from a browser
Right-click the PDF, choose Open with and pick Microsoft Edge or another browser, then press Ctrl + P. Browsers have their own PDF engine, which often prints files other apps can't.
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Print as an image in Acrobat Reader
In Adobe Acrobat Reader, press Ctrl + P, click Advanced, tick Print As Image and click OK. Printing is slower but avoids most font and graphics problems.
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Download the file again
A partly downloaded or damaged PDF may open but fail to print. Download it again, or ask whoever sent it for a fresh copy.
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Check whether printing is allowed
Some PDFs are secured so they can't be printed. In Acrobat Reader, press Ctrl + D to open the document properties and look at the Security tab. If printing shows as not allowed, you'll need an unrestricted copy from the person who made it.
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Update the app and print fewer pages
Install updates for your PDF app and make sure the printer driver is current. Print a short page range rather than the whole file to find out whether one page is causing the problem.
macOS
0 of 4 steps tried
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Print from Preview
Control-click the PDF, choose Open With > Preview, then choose File > Print. If you normally use another PDF app, Preview may succeed where it failed, and the other way round.
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Save a fresh copy
In Preview, choose File > Export as PDF to create a new copy of the file, then print the new copy.
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Print as an image in Acrobat Reader
If you use Acrobat Reader on a Mac, click Advanced in its Print window and tick Print As Image.
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Fix a Filter failed message
If the printer queue shows Filter failed, remove the printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners and add it again with AirPrint in the Use menu, or install the current driver from the manufacturer's official support site.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Why is Print greyed out for my PDF?
The person who created the PDF may have blocked printing in its security settings, or the file is still downloading or only open in a preview pane. Open it in a full PDF app and check its security properties.
Does Print As Image lower the quality?
Slightly, mostly for small text, and it's slower and uses more memory. For most documents the difference is hard to see.