6 Methods to Fix Microsoft Print to PDF Not Working in Windows 10/11

If you’re experiencing issues with the Microsoft Print to PDF feature in Windows 10 or 11, you’re not alone. This built-in printer driver can sometimes stop working, leaving you unable to save documents as PDFs. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get it back up and running.

Check Your User Folder for PDFs

One common issue with the Microsoft Print to PDF feature is that it may save the PDF file to an unexpected location. If you don’t see the saved PDF after trying to print, check your user folder (typically C:\Users$$your username]\Documents) to see if it’s there.

Disable and Re-enable the Microsoft Print to PDF Feature

Sometimes, simply disabling and then re-enabling the Microsoft Print to PDF feature can resolve the problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the “Turn Windows features on or off” window by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Scroll down and uncheck the box next to “Microsoft Print to PDF”.
3. Click “OK” to save the changes and restart your computer.
4. Repeat the process, this time checking the box to re-enable the feature.
5. Click “OK” to save the changes and restart your computer again.

Set Microsoft Print to PDF as the Default Printer

Another potential fix is to set Microsoft Print to PDF as the default printer on your system. Here’s how:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to “Devices and Printers”.
2. Right-click on “Microsoft Print to PDF” and select “Set as default printer”.

Reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF Drivers

If the above steps don’t work, you may need to reinstall the Microsoft Print to PDF drivers. Here’s how:

1. Open the Device Manager by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Expand the “Print queues” section and right-click on “Microsoft Print to PDF”.
3. Select “Uninstall device” and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Restart your computer, and the printer should be reinstalled automatically. If not, you can manually add it by going to the “Devices and Printers” section of the Control Panel.

Update Windows 10/11

If you’re still experiencing issues, it’s possible that a recent Windows update has caused the problem. Try updating your system to the latest version:

1. Open the Settings app and go to “Update & Security”.
2. Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

Avoid Using Commas in PDF File Names

As a bonus tip, be sure to avoid using commas or other special characters in the file names of PDFs you’re trying to save. These can sometimes cause issues with the Microsoft Print to PDF feature.