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chris1170's avatar
chris1170
Copper Contributor
Nov 18, 2021

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-

    1. Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Microsoft Print to PDF. 
    2. Open 'Printer properties'. A 'Microsoft Print to PDF Properties' window will appear. 
    3. Click on 'Change Properties' button to get elevated access. 
    4. Now navigate to 'Advanced' tab at the top. 
    5. Tick the 'Keep printed documents' checkbox. 
    6. Click 'Apply' button and finally click on 'OK' button at the bottom. 

    Voila! all done.

     

  • yahyazakariah's avatar
    yahyazakariah
    Copper Contributor

    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.

  • tito_roger's avatar
    tito_roger
    Copper Contributor

    chris1170 

    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.

  • SalmanAhmed's avatar
    SalmanAhmed
    Steel Contributor

    Hi chris1170 

    Please go to the Control Panel, then Devices and Printers, and right-click on Microsoft Print to PDF and select TroubleshootI 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.

    • chris1170's avatar
      chris1170
      Copper Contributor

      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!

       

      • server_gov's avatar
        server_gov
        Copper Contributor

        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.

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