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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: joyceabc on Monday 15 June 15 19:11 BST (UK)
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Can anyone help with this problem please? Until now I have been able to print off PDF documents, but for some reason they will not print now. Printing other documents ie from word are fine, when I go into the print queue there is nothing showing. I have now tried 3 different PDF documents from 3 different sources and none of them are printing.
Joyce
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Do you have Acrobat reader installed?
Brian
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I have Acrobat Reader Dc, which I downloaded after the PDF would not print.
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So should print o'k now.
Brian
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No the documents still did not print.
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Clicking onto the PDF file the contents should be visible, with printer switched on selecting print should bring up the print dialogue box up.
Then when everything o'k to print press o'k.
Brian
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The document is on the screen, print dialogue comes up after clicking print. I follow instruction to print the light flashes on the printer as if it is going to print, but it doesn't. As mentioned there is nothing showing in the 'print list' either.
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Assuming the PDF file is saved to your desktop, do you have the PDF sign/symbol showing on the file entry?
Brian
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There is the PDF symbol in red showing on the saved version on the desktop.
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Does it print, saved version of document?
Brian
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Take a look here and see if helps https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-pdf-printing-acrobat-reader.html (https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-pdf-printing-acrobat-reader.html)
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Does it print, saved version of document?
Brian
No it doesn't print any PDF document.
Midas, I have been given that link a couple of times now, I have tried 'print as image' as instructed in the link. I don't understand why it is not printing PDF documents, nothing has changed, either printer or computer. :(
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You have probably already checked this, but are you sure it is trying to print to the physical printer, rather than trying to print another PDF somewhere on your system?
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Thanks ReadyDale, I am not too computer savvy. I haven't checked what you advise, I am not sure what you mean. 'Trying to print another PDF somewhere on your system' ???
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When you hit the print button in the PDF Reader software, it will try to print to whichever printer is set up as default WITHIN THE READER SOFTWARE. This will not always be the same as the printer that, for example, Word picks up from Windows. As an example, if you had two physical printers attached to your computer (say, an HP and a Cannon), the Windows default may be HP, but with the Reader software, the Cannon may be set. That's OK if you have two physical printers like that and they are both switched on and working, as it will just come out somewhere different to where you expect. But if you have some form of PDF Writer software installed (Adobe/CutePDF/etc), this will behave like another printer. So it could be that, the Writer software is set as the default printer with the Reader software. What will then happen is that you think a paper copy will be coming out, when in fact, an electronic copy will be created somewhere.
Thinking this out while typing that, another posiblity is that (in the same manner), the Reader software may be set to print to a printer that is no longer working/attached to your PC. This will usually throw an error message, but not always!.
Either way, instead of printing by hitting the printer icon, try drinting via the File/Print option on the menus (exact wording will depend on which Reader software/version you have). This should give the option of changing which printer to "print" to, so you can confirm it is correct.
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Thanks for explaining about a physical printer etc.
I do ony have one printer. When trying to print these wretched PDFs I am doing it via the file/print option as opposed to clicking on the printer icon. I have tried saving the document (a number of times now) I have also unplugged the printer for an hour. ???
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And when you do it via the File/Print menus, is the printer shown the printer you are expecting the print to come out of, rather than anything else?
When did this problem start (i.e. when did you last successfully print a PDF to the printer)?
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Acrobat Reader Dc, Is this the only program capable of printing out a PDF file on your computer?
Looking at one of your PDF files, 'right click onto your document' when box opens select open with Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc.
Look for 'help' heading as your file opens, click onto help then 'repair installation' and allow to run.
Then when that finished try and print out your document.
Brian
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And when you do it via the File/Print menus, is the printer shown the printer you are expecting the print to come out of, rather than anything else?
When did this problem start (i.e. when did you last successfully print a PDF to the printer)?
ReadyDale, yes the printer is being shown where I am expecting the print to come from, I only have one printer. Last PDF document was printed approximately the middle of May.
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And when you do it via the File/Print menus, is the printer shown the printer you are expecting the print to come out of, rather than anything else?
When did this problem start (i.e. when did you last successfully print a PDF to the printer)?
ReadyDale, yes the printer is being shown where I am expecting the print to come from, I only have one printer. Last PDF document was printed approximately the middle of May.
OK. Just wanted to rule things out.
Just because you know you only have one printer, it doesn't stop the computer from thinking otherwise ;)
Also, was just checking it had been a while since you last successfully printed from PDF (I assume you turn your PC off regularly).
Next I would suggest checking whether the PDF Reader software has any updates. If not, then maybe uninstall it. Reboot the PC. Then reinstall it.
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Acrobat Reader Dc, Is this the only program capable of printing out a PDF file on your computer?
Looking at one of your PDF files, 'right click onto your document' when box opens select open with Adobe Acrobat Reader Dc.
Look for 'help' heading as your file opens, click onto help then 'repair installation' and allow to run.
Then when that finished try and print out your document.
Brian
Thanks for all advice with this.
Tried 'repair installation', still not printing.
Yes, computer is turned off regularly, I did update Adobe a couple of days ago when I discovered that PDF documents were not printing. This evening I have uninstalled Adobe and reinstalled it, but still not printing.
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Try the popular Foxit reader as an alternative. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/Secure_PDF_Reader/ (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/Secure_PDF_Reader/) See if this allows you to print.
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What are the File properties?
Not all are printable!!
Go File>Properties... Security Tab
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Midas, haven't tried the foxit suggestion as yet but will try that.
hallmark, my details in the properties of the pdf document read the same as the diagram you posted.
So, basically still not able to print these documents. I have asked for help elsewhere but this problem is stumping everyone ???
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When you downloaded and installed Adobe Reader DC, did you also allow the optional McAfee Security Scan? The option to install is checked by default.
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Not sure Midase about the answer to that, I will look into it. But bearing in mind pdf failed to print before I installed the updated version of Adobe.
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I can't remember whether you have attempted to print a PDF file that was successfully printed in the past - if that works then it might be that the current PDF file you are trying to print is corrupt as stated here:-
https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-pdf-printing-acrobat-reader.html
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Primarily I tried to print a pdf document that had printed in the past, that did not print so I have tried a couple of others, but they also have failed to print. The light flashes on the printer as if to start printing, but it doesn't there is also no jobs in the print queue showing. I have been debating whether to download another pdf printing application as mentioned earlier in this thread.
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Primarily I tried to print a pdf document that had printed in the past, that did not print so I have tried a couple of others, but they also have failed to print. The light flashes on the printer as if to start printing, but it doesn't there is also no jobs in the print queue showing. I have been debating whether to download another pdf printing application as mentioned earlier in this thread.
Well you seem to have tried everything... Printing is allowed etc
strange you are not getting a message that it can't send file to printer so possibly a computer/printer conflict??
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Not quite the same problem, but I have recently been trying to print PDF files from an online course. My printer, which has been particularly difficult since my husband used cheap ink in it ::), won't print the downloaded documents directly and I have to copy and paste them onto Word, then print them from there. However, what is nicely set out and spaced in the PDF and in the image in the pasted Word document is printed out as just one crowded paragraph. I then have to edit it by inserting spaces and lines.
Why does it do that?
The PDFs are offered for downloading and printing by the course providers, by the way, so I'm not doing anything I shouldn't be doing.
Gillg
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Are you just doing Paste or a Paste Special??
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I'm ignorant enough not to know what Paste Special is and haven't seen that option offered, so yes, just Paste.
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I'm ignorant enough not to know what Paste Special is and haven't seen that option offered, so yes, just Paste.
Just click on the chevron when you select Paste.. you're probably just Pasting unformatted text.
.
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In addition to updating Adobe Acrobat, you need to sometimes update your printer's driver.
In Windows check Optional Updates to see if your printer vendor has supplied Microsoft with an update for your printer.
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In addition to updating Adobe Acrobat, you need to sometimes update your printer's driver.
In Windows check Optional Updates to see if your printer vendor has supplied Microsoft with an update for your printer.
That's what I was thinking... or even reinstalling Printer, wouldn't be surprised if it was a Computer>Printer clash.
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Thanks, hallmark and downside. I tried clicking on the Paste Special option and then selected first of all the HTML format option - no different from what came up on Paste. So then I tried the Unformatted Text option - and it worked! The text came out as spaced on the original.
Thanks so much :)
Gillg
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Thanks, hallmark and downside. I tried clicking on the Paste Special option and then selected first of all the HTML format option - no different from what came up on Paste. So then I tried the Unformatted Text option - and it worked! The text came out as spaced on the original.
Thanks so much :)
Gillg
No problem... was just doing it from memory and not sure which option it was!
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Following on from my 'Can't print PDF documets' ;) I have discovered that I can print a PDF document using Google Chrome, (this having a built in PDF view/printer). Can anyone throw any light on why this is, as I am still not able to print using Internet Explorer? Thanks.
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Some things to try here:-
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/142056?hl=en-GB
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Thanks downside for your help. I looked at the link you gave, and I think I read it properly, but it looks like it is for problems where pdfs cannot be opened/viewed within Chrome. I can do that and print them it is the procedure not using Chrome that I am having trouble with.
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Have you tried Foxit yet?
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When you install a program it then opens certain file types. As far as I know Internet Explorer does not open PDF files. Usually you install Adobe Acrobat or Foxit and they will open PDF files.
If you right click a PDF files and then select Open With it should offer a program to open the file, plus the option Choose Default Program ... in which can select a program to automatically open PDF files.
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I haven't tried Foxit yet, I am waiting for someone with a bit more techi knowledge than me, but I will let you know how it goes if and when I use it.
I can open PDF files but I can't print them, only as mentioned via Google Chrome. I would like to print them using internet explorer.
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IE is only a web browser, PDF files use Adobe to open them!!
I use Firefox but if I need to download/ lok at a PDF then Adobe is the Program that opens them automatically,,, same when I had Opera, Chrome etc.
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You do not have to use Adobe to open PDF files. Foxit is a very good alternative PDF reader. Have been using it for quite a while, and you can set it as default reader.
Sometimes in Firefox, it will open PDFs in its own reader. Up the top right corner where the menu icons are, there is a print option indicated by the printer symbol. Next to that is a download option, and clicking on that gives you the option to save the file to your computer, or opening it in your PDF reader, such as Adobe or Foxit. I usually open the file in Foxit and print it from there as I know it works. Printing from Firefox does not always work, as I understand it is a very basic reader and may not work with the way some PDFs are set up.
Ian C
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PDFs now printing. Someone hacked into a PayPal account, took an amount, but since then PDFs are printing???
The issue has been solved and I have been credited with the amount so that is all okay.
Thanks for all suggestions of help.