Troubleshooting Printing
Problems in Acrobat for Windows
What's Covered
Determining the Cause of the Problem
Resolving Problems Printing a
Specific PDF File from an Acrobat Product
Resolving Problems Printing
Any PDF Files to a PostScript Printer from an Acrobat Product
Resolving
Problems Printing Any PDF Files to a Non-PostScript Printer from an
Acrobat Product
Resolving Problems Printing Any File from Any
Application
This document provides troubleshooting suggestions from Adobe Technical
Support that may help you resolve non-specific printing problems in 4.x
and later versions of Adobe Acrobat products for Windows. (Note that
Acrobat 4.x products are not supported in Windows Me.) You may find a
solution to your printing problem in a more specific document by searching
the Support Knowledgebase on Adobe's Web site at www.adobe.com/support/main.html.
Before you begin troubleshooting, check the ReadMe file on the Acrobat
CD-ROM for information or troubleshooting suggestions for your
printer.
This document uses the term "Acrobat product" to refer to 4.0 and later
versions of Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Adobe Acrobat
Business Tools.
Determining the Cause of the Problem
Before you can troubleshoot the problem, you need to determine its
cause. To determine the cause of the printing problem, complete the
following:
1. Print another PDF file:
- If that file prints
correctly, the PDF file that doesn't print correctly may be damaged. See
"Resolving Problems Printing a Specific PDF File from an Acrobat Product"
in this document.
- If the file doesn't print correctly, go to step
2.
2. Print another type of file (e.g., a *.txt file) from another
application (e.g., Microsoft Word or WordPad):
- If that file prints
correctly, you know the problem isn't system-wide -- it's only with the
Acrobat product. See "Resolving Problems Printing Any PDF Files from an
Acrobat Product" in this document.
- If the file doesn't print
correctly, the problem is system-wide, and is not specific to Acrobat or
your PDF files. The problem could be low system resources, insufficient
memory on your printer, or a poor connection between your computer and the
printer. Go to step 3 to eliminate some likely causes of the problem. If
steps 3-6 don't solve the problem, see "Problems Printing from All
Applications" in this document.
3. Restart your computer and then
print a PDF file:
- If the file prints correctly, your system may have
been out of memory or resources.
- If the file doesn't print correctly,
go to step 4.
4. Turn off your printer for at least 15 seconds to flush
its memory, and then turn it back on and print a PDF file:
- If the
file prints correctly, your printer's memory was too full.
- If the
file doesn't print correctly, go to step 5.
5. Print from another
computer:
- If the file prints correctly, the computer you first tried
to print from may be unable to connect to the printer or the network
correctly. Contact your network administrator or consult your network
documentation.
- If the file doesn't print correctly, go to step 6.
6. Print a PDF file to another printer:
- If the file prints
correctly, the computer you first tried to print from may be unable to
connect to the original printer because of a communication, hardware, or
memory problem. Make sure that the printer is turned on and connected
properly, and then run a self-test on it to make sure that it's working
correctly. For instructions, see the documentation that came with the
printer. You may want to contact your network administrator for
assistance.
- If the file doesn't print correctly, see "Problems
Printing from All Applications" in this document.
Resolving Problems Printing a Specific PDF File from an Acrobat
Product
If you're having problems printing an individual PDF file, do one or
more of the following:
Solution 1
If you print from an Acrobat 4.0 or later product,
select Print As Image in the Print dialog box. Note that files will print
more slowly with Print As Image selected. For more information about Print
As Image, see the online Acrobat help guide.
Note: Although using Print As Image may enable the file
to print, this setting does not resolve the original printing problem.
Therefore, you should continue through this troubleshooting guide to try
to determine the cause of the problem.
Solution 2
If you print to a PostScript printer, enable the
PostScript error handler for the printer (if the printer driver includes
this option). The PostScript error handler will print a list of PostScript
errors that occur when you print. For help interpreting and resolving
PostScript errors, see document 310390,
"Troubleshooting PostScript Errors."
-- To enable the PostScript error handler in Windows 2000:
1. Choose
Start > Settings > Printers.
2. Right-click the printer and
choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
3. Click the General tab, click
Printing Preferences, and then click Advanced.
4. Click the plus sign
(+) beside Document Options.
5. Click the plus sign beside PostScript
Options.
6. Set Send PostScript Error Handler to Yes.
-- To enable the PostScript error handler in Windows NT 4:
1. Choose
Start > Settings > Printers.
2. Right-click the printer and
choose Document Defaults from the pop-up menu.
3. Click the Advanced
tab.
4. Click the plus sign (+) beside Document Options.
5. Click
the plus sign beside PostScript Options.
6. Set Send PostScript Error
Handler to Yes.
-- To enable the PostScript error handler in Windows Me, Windows 98, or
Windows 95:
1. Choose Start > Settings > Printers.
2.
Right-click the printer and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
3.
Click the PostScript tab, and select Print Postscript Error
Information.
Solution 3
In Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows 95 , keep at
least 50% of the system resources free when printing from an Acrobat
product. If the system resources are below 50%, exit from all applications
but the Acrobat product. You may need to restart Windows to update system
resource information.
To check the amount of available resources, right-click My Computer,
choose Properties from the pop-up menu, and then click the Performance
tab.
Solution 4
Re-create the PDF file using a different method if
you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat. For assistance, see "Creating
Adobe PDF Files" (Acrobat 5.0) or "Converting Electronic Files to PDF"
(Acrobat 4.x) in the online Acrobat help guide.
Resolving Problems Printing Any PDF Files to a PostScript Printer
from an Acrobat Product
If you have problems printing any PDF files from an Acrobat product to
a PostScript printer, do one or more of the following:
Solution 1
Make sure that you're using the latest version of
the Acrobat product. Check Adobe's Web site at http://www.adobe.com/ for current version
information and updates.
Solution 2
Install an updated printer driver for your
printer. Use the Universal Installer (WinInstaller) to automatically
install the PostScript printer driver that is compatible with your version
of Windows. The Universal Installer is available on Adobe's Web site at www.adobe.com/support/downloads/pdrvwin.htm
and on the Acrobat 5.0 CD-ROM in the Utilities/Drivers folder. The table
below shows which PostScript printer drivers are compatible with the
different versions of Windows and Acrobat products:
|
Operating System |
Acrobat 4.x Products |
Acrobat 5.0 Products |
|
Windows Me |
Not supported |
AdobePS 4.5 or later |
|
Windows NT4.0 |
AdobePS 5.1.2 or later |
AdobePS 5.2 or later |
|
Windows 2000 |
Microsoft Windows 2000 PostScript printer driver (PScript 5) or
later |
Microsoft Windows 2000 PostScript printer driver (PScript 5.2) or
later |
|
Windows 98 |
AdobePS 4.1 or later |
AdobePS 4.5 or later |
|
Windows 95 |
AdobePS 4.1 or later |
AdobePS 4.5 or later |
For related information, see document 325053,
"Distiller Printer Does Not Install with Acrobat 4.05 in Windows
2000."
Solution 3
Change the printer driver settings:
Note:You may need administrator access to change the
settings.
-- To change the printer driver settings in Windows 2000:
1. Choose
Start > Settings > Printers.
2. Right-click the printer, and
choose Properties.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Click Printing
Preferences, and then click Advanced.
5. Click the plus sign (+) beside
Document Options.
6. Click the plus sign beside PostScript
Options.
7. Set PostScript Output Option to Optimize for
Portability.
-- To change the printer driver settings in Windows NT 4.0:
1.
Choose Start > Settings > Printers.
2. Right-click the printer
and choose Document Defaults.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Click
the plus sign (+) beside Document Options.
5. Click the plus sign
beside PostScript Options.
6. Set PostScript Output Option to Optimize
for Portability.
-- To change the printer driver settings in Windows Me, Windows 98, or
Windows 95:
1. Choose Start > Settings > Printers.
2.
Right-click the printer, and choose Properties.
3. Click the PostScript
tab, and set PostScript Output Format to PostScript (Optimize for
Portability).
Solution 4
If the files that won't print reside on a
removable drive (e.g., Zip, Jaz, 3.5" disk) or on a network drive, move
the files to your local hard disk. Adobe recommends storing files on a
local hard disk when opening, saving and printing to reduce potential
problems and damage to your files.
Solution 5
Make sure that plenty of free hard disk space is
available: Adobe recommends that free space is equivalent to three to five
times the size of the file you're printing.
To free up hard disk space, delete temporary (*.tmp) files
(instructions provided) and clear the disk cache that the browser uses.
(For instructions about clearing the disk cache, see the documentation for
the browser.) If you use Windows NT or Windows 2000, you can also free up
disk space bypassing the spool file (instructions provided), which stores
temporary files to the system disk during printing.
-- To delete temporary files:
Note: Repeat this procedure periodically. Windows deletes
temporary files when Windows and applications close normally. When Windows
or an application crashes, however, temporary files can accumulate on the
hard drive.
1. Exit from all applications.
2. Choose Start > Find > Files
or Folders.
3. Type "*.tmp" (without quotation marks) in the Named
text box.
4. Choose My Computer from the Look In pop-up menu.
5.
Click Find Now.
6. After the search results appear, choose Edit >
Select All.
7. Choose File > Delete. Click Yes to confirm that you
want to send the files to the Recycle Bin.
8. Remove any non-temporary
files you do not want to delete from the Recycle Bin, and then empty the
Recycle Bin. Windows deletes all temporary files not in use.
-- To bypass the spool file in Windows 2000 or Windows NT:
Note: If you print to a network printer, the spool file
is on the network drive.
1. Go to Start > Settings > Printers.
2. Right-click on the
printer and choose Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab (Windows 2000)
or the Scheduling tab (Windows NT).
Note: If this section is grayed out, the printer is a
network printer.
4. Select "Print Directly to the Printer"
Solution 6
If you print to a network printer, try printing
the file from a computer that is connected directly to the printer:
--
If an Acrobat product is installed on the computer, print the PDF file
from Acrobat.
-- If an Acrobat product is not installed on the
computer, save the PDF file as a PostScript file, and then copy the
PostScript file to the printer from a DOS prompt. For instructions, refer
to the Windows documentation.
If file prints correctly, network-related issues may be causing the
printing problems. Contact the network administrator for assistance.
Solution 7
Select Save Printer Memory in the Print dialog box
for the Acrobat 5.0 product. (If Save Printer Memory is selected, all
fonts for a given page download to the printer before the page prints; if
Save Printer Memory is deselected, print jobs require more printer
memory.)
Resolving Problems Printing Any PDF Files to a Non-PostScript
Printer from an Acrobat Product
If you have problems printing any PDF files from an Acrobat product to
a non-PostScript (PCL) printer, do one or more of the following:
Disclaimer:Many of these solutions require you to change
the printer driver properties. The locations for specific properties vary
by printer and by printer driver. Therefore, Adobe Technical Support
cannot provide detailed information about the location for each property.
Contact the printer manufacturer or refer to the printer documentation for
more information.
Solution 1
Use the latest version of the Acrobat product.
Product updates and the latest version of Acrobat Reader are available
from Adobe's Web site at
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads
Solution 2
Use the most current printer driver for the
printer. Contact the printer manufacturer for information about driver
updates.
Solution 3
If the files that won't print reside on a
removable drive (e.g., Zip, Jaz, floppy disk) or a network drive, move the
files to your local hard disk. Adobe recommends working with files on a
local hard disk to reduce potential problems and damage to your files.
Solution 4
Make sure that a minimum of 100 MB of free hard
disk space is available. To free up space, follow Solution 5 under
"Resolving Problems Printing Any PDF Files to a PostScript Printer from an
Acrobat Product."
Solution 5
Switch to the standard VGA video driver to
determine if the video driver is causing the problem. If the error does
not occur when using the standard VGA video driver, contact the video card
manufacturer for an updated video driver. If you're already using the
current version, try using a different video resolution (e.g., 800x600
rather than 1024x768).
-- To switch to the standard VGA video driver in Windows NT or Windows
2000, start Windows in VGA mode.
-- To switch to the standard VGA driver in Windows 98:
Note: You may need your Windows 98 CD-ROM to install the
standard VGA driver.
1. Right-click the desktop, and then choose Properties from the pop-up
menu.
2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab,
and then click Advanced.
3. Click the Adapter tab.
4. Make a note of
the Adapter Type you're currently using, and then click Change.
5.
Click Next in the Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box that reports
"This wizard searches for updated driver . . . ."
6. Select "Display a
List of All the Drivers in a Specific Location, So You Can Select the
Driver You Want" in the next dialog box, and then click Next.
7. Select
Show All Hardware.
8. Choose [Standard Display Types] from the list of
manufacturers, and then choose Standard Display Adapter [VGA] from the
list of Models.
Note: Standard VGA drivers display 16 colors only. Switch
to Super VGA for applications that require a minimum of 256 colors, such
as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Adobe Illustrator.
9. Click Next.
10. Click Yes in the Update Driver Warning dialog box
that prompts, "The driver that you have chosen was not written
specifically for the selected hardware . . . ."
11. Click Next in the
Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box that reports the driver
location.
12. Click Finish when you receive the message, "Windows has
finished installing the driver you selected for your hardware
device."
13. Click the Monitor tab.
14. Note the Monitor Type you're
currently using, and then click Change.
15. Click Next in the Update
Device Driver Wizard dialog box that reports, "This wizard searches for
updated driver . . . ."
16. Select "Display a List of All the Drivers
in a Specific Location, So You Can Select the Driver You Want" in the next
dialog box, and then click Next.
17. Select Show All Hardware.
18.
Choose [Standard Monitor Types] from the list of manufacturers.
19.
Choose Standard VGA 640 x 480 from the list of models, and then click
Next.
20. Click Finish when you receive the message, "Windows has
finished installing the driver you selected for your hardware
device."
21. Click Apply.
22. Click OK when you receive the message,
"These settings will take effect when your computer is restarted."
To revert to your original video driver, select the Adapter Type and
Monitor Type you noted in steps 4 and 14.
-- To specify the Windows Standard VGA driver in Windows 95:
1.
Right-click the desktop, and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
2.
In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab, and then
click Advanced Properties.
3. Select the Adapter tab, note the Adapter
Type you're currently using, and then click Change.
4. In the Select
Device dialog box, select Show All Devices.
5. Select Standard Display
Types from the top of the Manufacturers scroll box.
6. Select Standard
Display Adapter (VGA) from the Models scroll box, and then click OK.
Note: Standard VGA drivers display 16 colors only. Switch
to Super VGA for applications that require a minimum of 256 colors, such
as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, or Adobe Illustrator.
7. Click the Monitor tab, note the Monitor Type you're currently using,
and then click Change.
8. In the Select Device dialog box, select Show
All Devices.
9. Select Standard Monitor Types from the top of the
Manufacturers scroll box.
10. Select Standard VGA 640 x 480 from the
Models scroll box, and then click OK.
11. Restart Windows 95.
Solution 6
Ensure that the printer has enough memory to print
all page elements. To print at 300 dpi, the printer should have at least 2
MB of available RAM. To print at 600 dpi, the printer should have 4 to 6
MB of RAM. For instructions on determining available printer memory, see
the printer documentation.
Solution 7
If the printer has a PostScript option, use the
PostScript mode. For details, see the printer documentation.
Problems Printing from All Applications
If you have problems printing any file from the computer, contact
Microsoft Technical Support or the printer manufacturer. Make sure that
the printer is on, and check the physical connections between the printer
and the computer -- the solution may be as simple as reconnecting a loose
cable.
Also, note any recent changes to the computer system that may affect
printing, such as the following:
-- updating hardware or software
--
adding new hardware or software
-- deleting software
-- installing
or removing fonts
-- connecting to a network
-- rearranging or
cleaning up files on the hard drive
Keep a record of changes made to the system to help you troubleshoot
printing and other problems.
Related Records
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