So, what do you do when the Microsoft Print to PDF tool won’t work? Let’s find out.
1. Disable and Re-Enable the Microsoft Print to PDF Tool
When the Microsoft Print to PDF tool malfunctions, disabling and re-enabling it could help fix it. Here’s how to do that:
Type Turn Windows features on or off in the Windows search box and select the Best match. In the Windows Features window, locate and uncheck the Microsoft Print to PDF box. From there, click OK and restart your computer to save these changes. Next, open the Windows Features window again as per the previous steps. From there, check the Microsoft Print to PDF box and then click OK.
2. Set the Microsoft Print to PDF Tool as the Default Printer
Try setting the Microsoft Print to PDF tool as your default printer and check if this resolves your issue. Here’s how you can do this:
Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box. Type control printers and press Enter. Next, locate the Microsoft Print to PDF feature, right-click on it, and select Set as default printer.
When you finish, reboot your device to save these changes.
3. Uninstall and Re-Install the Microsoft Print to PDF Feature
Uninstalling and reinstalling the Microsoft Print to PDF feature could also help. Here’s how to do that:
Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box. Type control printers and press Enter to open the Devices and Printers window. Next, locate the Microsoft Print to PDF feature, right-click on it, and select Remove device.
When you finish, reinstall the tool by following these steps:
Open the Devices and Printers window as per the previous steps. Click the Add a printer tab towards the top-left of the window. In the next window, click The printer that I want isn’t listed. Next, click Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and click the Next button. In the next window, check the Use an existing port option. Next, click the drop-down menu next to this option and select PORTPROMPT: (Local Port). Click Next when you finish. In the next window, select Microsoft under the Manufacturer options and select Microsoft Print To PDF from the Printers options. Click Next to continue.
If you can’t find Microsoft Print to PDF under the Printers option, click the Windows Update button and wait for the printers list to refresh. Then, select the Microsoft Print to PDF option as per the previous steps.
4. Restart or Reinstall the Microsoft Print to PDF Driver
You could be facing this issue because the Microsoft Print to PDF driver is corrupted. In this case, you can resolve the problem by either restarting or reinstalling the Microsoft Print to PDF driver.
Let’s first take a look at how you can restart this driver:
Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the options. Expand the Print queues option by double-clicking on it. Right-click the Microsoft Print to PDF driver and select Disable device. Finally, right-click the Microsoft Print to PDF driver and click Enable device. Restart your PC when you finish.
In case the issue persists, try reinstalling the driver by following these steps:
Open the Device Manager and the Microsoft Print to PDF driver as per the previous steps. Right-click the Microsoft Print to PDF driver and select Uninstall device. Navigate to the Action tab and then select Scan for hardware changes. Wait for the process to complete and then restart your PC.
5. Use the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
In other instances, this problem could be caused by system-specific issues. At this point, you could use the Windows troubleshooters and see if they fix your issue.
To get started:
Click the Start button, type Troubleshoot in the Windows search bar and select the Best match. Scroll down on the right-hand side pane, click Hardware and Devices, and then press Run the troubleshooter.
When you finish, close the troubleshooter and restart your PC to apply these changes.
6. Perform a Clean Boot and Remove Faulty Programs
If this issue is caused by a corrupted third-party program, then you’ll need to do something about the mischievous app. Ideally, you can resolve the issue by performing a clean boot and see if the problem persists. If it doesn’t, you can then begin removing or updating any programs you recently installed on your system.
If you do decide to remove any program, you might consider uninstalling it without leaving junk data. This will remove any residual files that might stick around and cause further PC issues.
7. Update Your Browser
If your browser is having issues, it might affect the performance of the Microsoft Print to PDF tool. In this case, updating your browser could help.
Usually, web browsers update automatically when you close and reopen them. However, if you haven’t closed yours in a while, there might be a pending update that’s available. So, let’s take a look at how you can update Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge:
How to Update Google Chrome:
Open Chome and click the menu button (three vertical dots) on the top-right corner. Navigate to Help > About Google Chrome. Click the Relaunch option to apply available updates.
How to Update Mozilla Firefox:
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) on the top-right corner. Navigate to Help > About Firefox. Click the Restart to Update Firefox button.
How to Update Microsoft Edge:
Open Edge and click the menu button (three horizontal dots) on the top-right corner. Navigate to Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge. Click the Restart button.
If updating your browser doesn’t help, try using a different browser.
Easily Save Files With the Microsoft Print to PDF Tool
The Microsoft Print to PDF feature is a convenient tool, but it’s really frustrating when it suddenly runs into issues. But if you follow the tips we’ve covered, you should be able to get this tool up and running again.
