These forums are now Read Only. If you have an Acrobat question, ask questions and get help from one of our experts.

Adobe X not printing correctly

plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15

The first couple of pages print okay. After that, they print with unrecognizable characters. How can I download an earlier version?

My Product Information:
Reader 10.0.1, Windows
Dov Isaacs
Expert
Registered: Nov 21 2005
Posts: 50
What makes you so sure the problem is Reader 10.0.1?

Is the problem occurring with all printing for all files?

What type of printer are you printing to?

Try running Reader 10.0.1 in non-protected mode. Does that eliminate the problem or not?

- Dov

Dov Isaacs is a Principal Scientist at Adobe Systems Incorporated specializing in PDF publishing workflow, PDF print standards, prepress, and printing. He is also chair of the ISO TC130 WG2/TF2 group responsible for PDF/X standards.

akehagg
Registered: Apr 2 2011
Posts: 1
I have a similar problem. After upgrading to Adobe X I sometimes get strange characters. This only happens when I print a crossword from a newspaper where the page is sized down to fit an A-4 sheet. This never happened with the earlier versions. If I reprint the page (sometimes twice) I get a correct result. The text in the boxes that go wrong is very small.
Example: instead of printing 'Film-Mickey' I got 'GMN N,DLFZ'. I print on a Canon Pixma MP220.
Should I go back to an earlier version, and if so, how?

Åke Hägg

plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
I had a copy of version 9 and loaded that. All is good now. I was trying to print out a manual and it just would not print out correctly. I did not pay attention if it was a font size thing or not. It was just so frustrating. I am not going back to version 10 unless I can be assured there is not printing problems. It sounds from reading posts, there are printing problems that need to be addressed. I might go on another computer and download version 10 and see what happens.

akehagg I just happened to have a saved copy on my computer under documents/downloads. I tryied to go to the website but it seems earlier versions are not avaialable. I could not find them. I learned my lesson. Always wait until you read posts before jumping into a new version. You can not imagine what problems it caused not being able to print correctly. I wasted two days including finding an earlier version to reload. I now keep copies of earlier version for software on CD.
SWLibrarian
Registered: Aug 5 2010
Posts: 1
I'm having a similar problem with Acrobat X producing unreadable text in documents I am trying to print from Ancestry.com. I have printed many of these documents in the past, from the same computer; but, now I'm getting a document image with unreadable text for all of the source and title information.

Any suggestions would be appreciated... No printer is involved at the point I am encountering difficulty. The problem is evident as soon as the file is rendered into PDF by the website. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I just tried to print the same image that failed last night at home on a laptop I have at work. This computer has Acrobat 9 Pro...and it worked just fine. There is clearly an Acrobat X issue...and there was an update just a day or so ago. Help.

SWLibrarian

plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
It seems there is a problem with unreadable text. I am hearing of simarlar complaints. Best bet at this time is reinstall an earlier version. Hope they can fix the problem. I am running version 9 with no problems.
stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
Hi I upgraded to v10 standard, as V9 was not compatable with office 2010, it worked ok till I upgraded to 10.0.2, after that when i went to print and opted for the adobe pdf printer, it printed the page, but then also gave an error, after lots of messages and telephone calls from adobe, their answer was re-install V10.0.0 from the disk, and dont upgrade!, yesterday I updated my adobe reader to 10.0.1 and now when I try to print certain webpages the fonts are printed as a jumbled mess and not even the text as it should be, I have uninstalled V10.0.1 of the reader and told V10 of acrobat standard to repair and tried to print the same page again, but the same is happening.

V9 was great and I had no problems, V10 seems a waste of money, time and effort trying to get it to work!
plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
Don't do it. I am still able to run V9. thanks for the tip about V9 not working with 2010. I am still running Office 2007. Adobe really screwed up on this one! Adobe always had a good reputaion for its product line. I think this is really going to hurt them.
navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
I have Adobe X, Windows XP (SP3) and MS word 2010. I am using a Canon MX870 and everytime I try to print in Adobe, I get one or two pages clear and then the others come out garbage! I am almost out of paper and have no money to buy more!! Adobe needs to step up and fix this problem as I have used soooo much paper and need to print for school. And why is it we can only use Adobe for PDF? Never had this problem until I had to get X!!!

navyveteran

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
navybeteran I feel your pain. Just load V9. I print out manuals and you would not believe how many sheets of paper was wasted. I keep checking but I do not see where Adobe is admitting there is a printing problem. They apparently tried to do too much with version X. Maybe that is why they used the letter "X" for the version. Hahaha.
stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
plcguys... lol at why it is called version "x"... been on the support site for nearly a month getting this sorted, got a call today to call them back, they say they have a fix, if they do I will post on here.... here's hoping
stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
well thats another hour out of my life!..... they got me to update, and before restarting, to repair, then restart, It is now 10.0.2 but yet again nothing has changed, when on this version, I can convert webpages, but not use the print option to use pdf printer!..... BUT...... they said they know of the problem so they are admitting it, and say a patch should be out soon, I asked how long, but she could not give me a date as they are still working on it.
plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
Lesson learned, don't try it until it has been proven to work by someone else. I am so surprised, Adobe has always been a good product. This is the first time I seen them have such a problem with their software.
navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
I am so glad I am not the only one and I did figure out it was Adobe and not my printer(that I kept turning off and clearing the memory, just to turn on again and go through same issue).

I have learned to print on back side of all that paper, but some things I need clean copies of.

How will Adobe tell us it has found the problem and give us an update?

And can (and how) do I get to version 9? Will it work for MS 2010?

It is strange that it prints the first couple of pages clear, then changes. It has to be something about it's memory storage that changes right?

patsy

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
Hi Navyveteran, this is why I upgraded to version x from 9, as it is not compatable with ms office 2010, and it will be in the form of an update to the product once they have figured out how to make the fix
navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
It is sad you don't have a choice; I just checked and the only one I COULD get was X.

Guess I will print one page, then stop and print another..........sad!

Maybe we can get China to figure it out and get one from them!

patsy

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

jboland
Registered: Apr 21 2011
Posts: 3
I have the same problem on two computers, in both cases after upgrading to version X. In my case, the problem seems random--some documents print correctly; others start off printing correctly, then change to gibberish after a page or two; still others are illegible from the beginning. Some documents print correctly one time, print illegibly the next time, then print correctly if tried again. From what I can see, the problem seems to have the following characteristics:

If the original test is a serif font (e.g., Times New Roman), it prints as san serif (similar to Arial)

Sometimes (not always), the rendering of characters is shifted by one character, that is "Notes" on the screen becomes "Opuft" on the printout. Other times, the changes are not that simple.

I hope that Adobe is working on this, but I have seen nothing to suggest that they are.

John


stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
Updated to 10.0.3 today, and nothing has changed, still getting the same problems, if you go to properties on the pdf printer in the printer folder and then ports, you will see that they still have not got it listed as a adobe pdf printer under local port at the end of the list, this is why it does not work right. It still leaves any pages converted in the printer folder as errors as if they did not print and until this is cleared of documents, it will not try to print anything else.
The only thing I have found that if pages print is weird print instead of how the page looks, to correct this instead of going to print, use the drop down next to covert, and then print web page, you can then choose adobe pdf printer and it will print with the correct fonts etc...
My work around at the moment is that I have purchased a £39.99 pdf programme that does the job that adobe cant fix! Adobe need to get this fixed as people wont be so willing to upgrade in future and use their products!
stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
this may help..

Issue
When printing from Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) to the Adobe PDF Printer, the resulting PDF file may have missing or garbled text.

Solution
Uncheck the option 'Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts' from the Adobe PDF Settings tab within the Adobe PDF printer preferences dialog box.

To access the Adobe PDF printer preferences dialog box, please perform the following steps:

Open the Printers and Faxes (Windows XP), Printers (Windows Vista) or Devices and Printers (Windows 7) folder.
Right-click the Adobe PDF printer and choose 'Printing Preferences'.
On the Adobe PDF Settings tab, uncheck to option 'Rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts.'
Click OK to close the printer preferences dialog box.

navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
Thanks Stressed,

I only have my Canon MX870 listed in the printers and faxes, no Adobe X. I have XP (SP3) and IE 8 (I think 9 is for Windows 7).

How does the Adobe PDF printer show up in the printer folder? I select print while in Adobe X, first couple of pages fine, and then garbled text.

I typically only print from my computer from the saved adobe files.


navyveteran

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
Hi navyveteran, if there is no adobe pdf printer in your printer folder, open acrobat x, go to help, and then click repair instalation, it should then put one in the printer folder for you, let me know if it works
navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
Nope, didn't work! I have tried everything, but I guess will print 2 pages at a time as I don't know what else to do. Thanks though!

Patsy

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

jboland
Registered: Apr 21 2011
Posts: 3
Same here. No Adobe PDF printer, even after repairing the installation. However, note that I have Reader X, not Acrobat X. (This thread began with a question about Reader printing--but I gather that Reader and Acrobat users are having the same problem.)
stressed
Registered: Apr 10 2011
Posts: 18
You can download earlier version of reader on the adobe site via downloads, then product updates (on the right hand side of the screen), then choose what product you want and if you are using windows or mac etc... or if you want to type this in directly, type in adobe.com/downloads/updates/


titus88
Registered: May 22 2011
Posts: 1
I am not even getting anything that is normal wording. my pdf files are all printing gobbledy gook. sorry I upgraded now...

Frustrated in Buchanan

lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
navyveteran wrote:
Thanks Stressed,I only have my Canon MX870 listed in the printers and faxes, no Adobe X. I have XP (SP3) and IE 8 (I think 9 is for Windows 7).

How does the Adobe PDF printer show up in the printer folder? I select print while in Adobe X, first couple of pages fine, and then garbled text.

I typically only print from my computer from the saved adobe files.


navyveteran
Have you tried to uninstall and then re-install Reader X through the Windows Control panel?

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
You mean Adobe still hasn't fixed the printing problem? I reloaded V9. Same here as above said, the first two pages are fine, then after that, no good. V9 works okay.
navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
Lori,

I have un-installed and cleared out registry several times and each time I reinstall, I still get same thing. I just figured out last night how to go back to previous version, and will use that until someone post on here they have fixed the problem.

Patsy

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

lkassuba
ExpertTeam
Registered: Jun 28 2007
Posts: 3636
Apparently a point update to Acrobat X caused the problem. The technical note Adobe PDF print port changes provides detailed information on how to correct the problem.

Lori Kassuba is an AUC Expert and Community Manager for AcrobatUsers.com.

plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
Will Adobe be coming out with a software update? So they know the problem exsit, when will the software be updated. I rather have a working version then have to load it then load another fix-it patch. I will not be using the X-version until the software I use works without having to read a tech note to fix what should work.
navyveteran
Registered: Apr 19 2011
Posts: 7
Strange, but I never had an Adobe printer in my printers and faxes folder in control panel, at least not that I could see.


I might try the way you said, but I hate to have to go through all of this again.

And I am with plcguys, fix it!


But, at least you guys are aware of the problem and are looking at solutions.

patsy

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. Harriet Tubman

jboland
Registered: Apr 21 2011
Posts: 3
Like the OP, my problem is with Adobe Reader X, not Acrobat X. But like others, I frequently get pages of garbled text from my printer. Perhaps because I use Reader, there is no Adobe PDF printer in my printer list. So it seems that the fix that Lori Kassuba found cannot be applied. In any case, I have tried to repair my installation twice, to no avail. I have sent several messages to Adobe about this problem--no response. I hope that Adobe is working on this somewhere--it seems strange to be having a major problem like this after many years of zero problems with Adobe probucts.

John
HeinB
Registered: Sep 15 2011
Posts: 1
Hi guys.

Ran into this problem today. Dunno what's causing the problem, but I'm pretty sure its got something to do about document encryption as well as fonts. I also encountered the problem on Adobe Reader X. Updating to the latest version didn't help. Anyway, I found a temporary solution to my problem by printing my PDFs as images, instead of text. Before printing your page select "Advanced" and then check the "Print as image" box. Your document should be printing fine, at least mine did.

Hope this helps.
plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
This is unbelievable Adobe has not fixed the printing problem yet. I am holding off from buying version X and run version 9. It makes me believe Adobe thinks it is not their problem, or they do not know how to solve the printing problem. How much lost money is this costing Adobe? Like I said in my previous posts, if I print a document that has more then a couple pages, after the first few pages, it is garbage. Really nice people have to find work arounds to print properly. Good job Adobe.
kcav
Registered: Sep 15 2011
Posts: 1
After upgrading to Reader X 10.1.1, I can no longer print. I have tried every recommendation on the support/help page. I've even reinstalled my printer drivers (although I didn't have to since every other document prints without problems).

I can see the .PDF document, I can scroll through the pages or click the down arrow to move through the pages using the reader software. However, when I want to print: Nada.

This occurs when I either select the printer icon within the software or do File Print:
1) I click the print option - it takes about 15 seconds to see the print menu appear.
2) I confirm the printer settings
3) I click "current page" or "All" to test the print
4) System looks like it's going to print
5) I get the following messages:
a) "Document could not be printed" (I click OK to close the message window)
b) "There were no pages selected to print"

I am running XP - printing .pdfs worked well up until 2 days ago when I updated to Reader X 10.1.1
So, now what does anyone recommend? I've already uninstalled and reinstalled drivers, Adobe Reader, tried printing as an image (nope doesn't work).
===============

lkassuba wrote:
Apparently a point update to Acrobat X caused the problem. The technical note Adobe PDF print port changes provides detailed information on how to correct the problem.
PS: I tried doing the Change/Repair from the Add Remove programs (XP) and cannot complete the repair task because the auto repair software looks for an original CD from which to complete the fix. Since I downloaded the software from the Adobe site, there is no original CD to retrieve source data.

hitanand
Registered: Nov 4 2009
Posts: 29
Hi,

Can you please try a couple of things:
1. Disable Protected mode and then try to print.
To disable mode go to Edit->Preferences->General tab and then uncheck "Enable Protected mode at startup"
2. Check "Print to file" option in the print dialog and see whether print to file works properly.

thanks,
hit.anand
gallicbear
Registered: Sep 27 2011
Posts: 1
I am running Adobe 10.1.1 with xp professional. I am having the same problem with garbled printing. Usually I print invoices received by email. For instance 2 might print correctly, and after that it comes out garbled. On the other hand, I printed an entire document of 24 pages today and every page was garbled. What a waste! I also had the problem kcav had, about 'document could not be printed; there were no pages selected'. When that happened, I rebooted my computer and it printed okay. The problem is just random, unpredictable...

gallicbear
tseringer
Registered: Oct 16 2011
Posts: 1
When I try to print in X, I choose a printer, click ok and it opens up a save as dialog instead of printing the document. So the document never prints
dbpschool
Registered: Oct 16 2011
Posts: 1
In an application form (PDF opened in Acrobat Reader X ) some part of the form is not getting printed. in preview also it is showing blank.

jwplum
Registered: Oct 17 2011
Posts: 1
Any time you want to print using acrobat and you want the prints to not print the boxes inplace of text or whatever your printer sees it as. You can select advanced settings on the first pop-up for printing and then select print as image. This will flatten and send it to the printer as a photo rather than text. The system or the printer may not have the fonts that is being used in Acrobat. This will take longer to print but should print better. Canon printers seem to have trouble with this commonly. Especially if you have done text edits using a newer version of Acrobat.
randun
Registered: Oct 17 2011
Posts: 2
I'm running Acrobat Standard 9.4.6 & have experienced this problem off & on in a spurious manner. My version came with my new PC but I have a fully licensed copy as well. I printed an important web page yesterday only to find it had unreadable characters. Gathering by the dialogue here, there seems to no fix, correct?

Randy

scorpiobeachgirl
Registered: Oct 19 2011
Posts: 1
HeinB wrote:
Hi guys.Ran into this problem today. Dunno what's causing the problem, but I'm pretty sure its got something to do about document encryption as well as fonts. I also encountered the problem on Adobe Reader X. Updating to the latest version didn't help. Anyway, I found a temporary solution to my problem by printing my PDFs as images, instead of text. Before printing your page select "Advanced" and then check the "Print as image" box. Your document should be printing fine, at least mine did.

Hope this helps.
Hi I tried this -doesn't work. I tried #18 and quite a few others here and nothing seems to work. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the way the pdf was created, changed and re-issued. I am floundering here trying to come up with a solution - need one FAST

judy

gsbatch
Registered: Oct 21 2011
Posts: 1
If you are printing to a postscript printer try this. In the printer properties box select the "Advanced" tab (or button). Go to "Postscript Options" and for TrueType download option select "outline".
KellyMcC
Acrobat 9ExpertTeam
Registered: Jul 11 2011
Posts: 389
Please check that you have upgraded to Acrobat or Adobe Reader 10.1.1:
http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/

Also, try:

File > Print
Click Advanced
Select Print as Image

Kelly McCathran
Adobe Community Expert
Certified Technical Trainer+

randun
Registered: Oct 17 2011
Posts: 2
KellyMcC wrote:
Please check that you have upgraded to Acrobat or Adobe Reader 10.1.1:
http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/Also, try:

File > Print
Click Advanced
Select Print as Image
Thanks much for your printing tip (also another user as well).

Ugrading to v10 is not fasible for me at this time.

Randy

roncraig
Registered: Oct 31 2011
Posts: 1
Has nobody noticed the Acrobat Reader 10.1.1 problem is a one-off bug in the code?
The garbled documents I just printed included my name and address... Anybody guess my first and last name?

SPOBME DSBJH
238 BOESFXT TUPSF SPBE

Working in the same way, the whole document is off by one code point.

Come on, guys, just fix this, okay?

I've now uninstalled 10.1.1 and re-installed V9.4.
bvv_256
Registered: Nov 1 2011
Posts: 2
Adobe Reader 10.1.1,printer Hp LaserJet 5100 PCL6
Can't print correctly PDF file with "print as image".
Adobe Reader 7.0 do same correctly.
plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
roncraig isn't it amazing Adobe can not fix the problem. It has been at least 8 months that I know of this printing problem. What good is a program if you can not print properly? I am running version 9.4.6 That seems to be okay. Also have the 8.1.4 professional. Version 8 I use for editing. I know it is a old version but version X doesn't work.
KellyMcC
Acrobat 9ExpertTeam
Registered: Jul 11 2011
Posts: 389
In order for the Acrobat team to resolve this issue, we need sample problem files. I haven't been able to personally repeat this problem. Could those of you who posted complaints please provide me with some samples? You can share the document (if it isn't sensitive information) using the free http://acrobat.com and post the link here.

I also HIGHLY recommend you submit a bug report on your own. Adobe does follow up on these and the Engineering team can let you know if it is a documented bug. Here is the Feature Request/Bug Report Form link:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform

Kelly McCathran
Adobe Community Expert
Certified Technical Trainer+

Chrisganet
Registered: Nov 3 2011
Posts: 1
I just couldn't waste any more time on this.... I ended up switching from IE to Google Chrome and all the problems with the 'Print To PDF' function went away. I've encountered so many compatibility problems with IE 9, that Chrome is my constant companions these days. Not at all sure if it's an Adobe problem or just an IE problem...
plcguys
Registered: Mar 9 2011
Posts: 15
KellyMcC any document more than lets say 12 pages will not print out correctly. I have manuals over 70 pages that will not print properly, so to say send you a pdf is not really necessary, just pick one out urself over 50 pages and try to print it out. It usually happens after the first 4 or 5 pages, then that is when it all goes bad.