Forum Discussion
Microsoft Print to PDF not working, nor any third-party PDF printer
Microsoft Print to PDF or any other third-party Print to PDF printers are not working for us. It looks like this is related to a bug in one of the latest security updates for Windows.
Have anybody found a solution or workaround?
Thanks!
I tried some steps in Windows 11, and it starts printing PDFs again-
- Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Microsoft Print to PDF.
- Open 'Printer properties'. A 'Microsoft Print to PDF Properties' window will appear.
- Click on 'Change Properties' button to get elevated access.
- Now navigate to 'Advanced' tab at the top.
- Tick the 'Keep printed documents' checkbox.
- Click 'Apply' button and finally click on 'OK' button at the bottom.
Voila! all done.
The following worked for me:
1. Go to Settings>Bluetooth & Devices>Printers & Scanners
2. Remove Microsoft Print to Pdf
3. Restart the pc
4. The printer should be reinstalled automatically. (If not, then go to Settings>Bluetooth & Devices>Printers & Scanners and click "Add printer." Click "The printer that I want isn’t listed." Click Add a local or network printer with manual settings, then click Next. Select Use an existing port, then click in the list box, then select FILE: Print to File)
5. Repeat step 1
6. Under Printer Properties, in the advanced tab, tick "Start Printing after last page is spooled."
I hope this helps.
You should try to reinstall Microsoft printer to PDF
This worked for me.
- Type Advanced printer setup in the windows search bar
- Click on the search result, Next the search wizard will search for printers and display them on a list.
- Select Microsoft Print To PDF and click Next
- Follow the instructions provided by the setup wizard to complete the installation.
Hope this steps will work for you. If you are interested in seeing a short video footage click here.
Hi chris1170
Please go to the Control Panel, then Devices and Printers, and right-click on Microsoft Print to PDF and select Troubleshoot. I hope this could be helpful for you, please do not hesitate to contact me for any further assistance, I will welcome the questions you may have.
Hi SalmanAhmed; thank you for your response.
I have already tried the troubleshooting tool but it didn't fix the problem. It just makes me select the printer as the default printer and doesn't detect any other problems. I have also tried the following:
- Disabled and re-enabled the Microsoft Print to PDF feature.
- Set Microsoft Print to PDF as the default printer.
- Reinstalled Microsoft Print to PDF drivers.
- Updated Windows 10.
- Removed ALL the print queues just in case.
- Rebooted the machine multiple times.
- Cleared all print jobs and restarted the Print Spooler service.
- Installed third-party pdf printers.
- Used the troubleshooting feature in Windows.
Thank you!
Hi chris1170
Within the Microsoft Docs Q&A Questions forum there is thread titled Microsoft Print to PDF & XPS Document Writer Missing & Won't Reinstall.
This thread has extensive information;
- Comparison of file versions for a working device and the device not working.
- Windows Registry Locations and Settings
Scroll through the discussion looks to Reset the PC and I would use this as a last option. At the end of the page an entry by @AndyMichel-8552 where with his experience he was able to resolve the issue and lists the steps taken.
I cannot validate the solution as I currently do not experience this issue.
