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Microsoft Print to PDF Not Working [FIXED Error]
The print to PDF feature allows you to save files in PDF format
7 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Print to PDFis a new feature in Windows 10 that allows you to print anything on your computer as a PDF file. This is a feature that many users requested, but unfortunately, some reported that Microsoft Print to PDF is not working for them on Windows 10.
There could be several reasons behind it, ranging from misconfigured settings, outdated drivers, or issues with the output directors. And most of these are easily fixable, given you follow the right approach.
So, let’s find out why Print to PDF is not working in Windows 10 and the solutions for it.
What related errors could you get?
Here are some more examples of this problem:
You can activate the print as a PDF feature directly from your Windows 10 settings. Or, you can use the Control Panel and find theTurn Windows features on or off.
Afterward, you have Windows Feature containing theMicrosoft Print to PDFoption, so be sure to check it. This option can be used specifically on Windows 10 to enable this printing option.
If you need to use the Print to PDF option in Windows 7, the feature is not included in the particular iteration of the OS. Hence, you can use dedicated PDF software to add it as a PDF printer.
It’s possible to make use of this printing option in Windows 11 using the same method. Locate the Windows Features utility, and you will haveMicrosoft Print to PDFright there. Tick the box if it isn’t already and try to print any documents or files.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the feature, let’s find out what to do if Microsoft Print to PDF is not working in Windows 10.
How do I fix the Print to PDF feature on Windows 10?
1. Check the Users folder
Some users reported that they don’t see the dialog that lets them save a PDF file to a specific directory. Thisproblem is mostly related to Microsoft Edgesince the browser sometimes saves PDF documents to the default directory automatically.
If you don’t see the save dialog while using Microsoft Edge, make sure to check the following folder for saved PDF files:C: Users%username%
Some users reported that Edge stores saved PDF files in theDocumentsfolder automatically, so make sure that you check it as well.
2. Change the output directory
There are reports that the Microsoft Print to PDF feature isn’t working correctly in Windows 10 if you save your PDF files to the Documents folder.
Users reported empty PDF files when saving them to the Documents folder, but you can easily fix that by choosing a different output directory for your PDF files.
3. Update the printer driver
When Microsoft Print to PDF is not working in Windows 10, the drivers are often found to be the underlying cause. In this case, updating them is the most viable solution.
If you don’t want the hassle of updating drivers manually, we strongly suggest doing it automatically by using a professional driver updater tool.
The program will start scanning your PC for outdated or damaged drivers and match your hardware with the best driver version available.
Outbyte Driver Updater
4. Disable the Print to PDF feature and enable it again
A number of users claim that you can fix problems with the Print to PDF feature simply by disabling and enabling the feature. So, make sure to try that.
After enabling the feature again, Microsoft Print to PDF should be working again in Windows 10 without any issues.
If interested, find out what to do when yourPDF files are not printing properly.
5. Set Print to PDF as the default printer
Users claim that setting Microsoft Print to PDF as a default printer fixes problems with it, therefore you might want to try that. You can do this through the Control Panel.
1.PressWindows+S, typeprintersin the search box, and selectDevices and Printersfrom the list of results.
- Now, navigate to thePrinterssection.
3.Locate theMicrosoftPrint to PDFoption, right-click on it, and selectSet as default printer.
4.After doing that, you should see a green check mark next toMicrosoft Print to PDF, indicating that it’s set as a default printer.
6. Make sure that the file name or destination folder doesn’t contain any commas
A number of users reported that having commas in your file name or destination directory for PDF files will create a PDF file with a size of0bytes.
To avoid this issue, make sure that the name of the PDF file and the destination directory doesn’t contain a comma.
It has been confirmed by users that a comma causes this issue, but just to be safe, maybe you should avoid using special characters completely. Once done, verify if theMicrosoft Print to PDFstarts working in Windows 10. If not, head to the last solution.
7. Remove the Microsoft Print to PDF and replace its driver
Few users claim that removing the printer and installing it again fixes the issue, so you might want to try that. You can easilyremove a corrupted printer driver.
After reinstalling Microsoft Print to PDF, you should be able to print to PDF without any issues on Windows 10.
How to resolve the Microsoft Print to PDF feature on Windows 7?
Given the fact that Windows 7 doesn’t include a Print to PDF option, you should know that it isn’t impossible to perform a print directly from your file location.
For this case, it’s possible to employ a specialized PDF viewer tool in order to add a new Print to PDF option on your computer.
Hence, the most suitable software for this task would beAdobe Acrobat Readerdue to its printing and editing options, plus support for adding a new printer device.
Print to PDF is a welcome addition to Windows 10, but as you can see, a few issues with it can emerge. We hope that some of our solutions were helpful to you and that you’ve managed to fix the problems with Microsoft Print to PDF.
Also, find out what to do if theprinter won’t print in Windows 10.
If you have any other questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to check them out.
More about the topics:PDF,software,windows 10
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
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Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.More about Vlad ›
