How to Fix Windows When it Cannot Print to PDF and the Error is Unrelated to Adobe

If you run into an error where a Windows device fails to create or print to a pdf file, your first instinct is probably to update or reinstall Adobe. However, there are times when Adobe is not the cause of the issue at all. If you are having issues getting programs to create pdf files, aka print to pdf, there could be something else causing the problem.

This post discusses how to fix a Windows device when it cannot print to pdf and the error is unrelated to Adobe software.

How to Fix Windows When it Cannot Print to PDF and the Error is Unrelated to Adobe

An error that the Windows device cannot print to or create a pdf can come from any program you are attempting to create a pdf with. For example, here's a dialog box from within QuickBooks stating that a pdf cannot be created.

Example of an error message from within QuickBooks stating that a pdf file cannot be created.

If you run into this issue, and you have already updated Adobe and/or reinstalled your Adobe software, the issue is more likely related to the Microsoft XPS writer driver missing from the device.

Open Settings and click "Devices".
In the Bluetooth & other devices window, check to see if the Microsoft XPS Document Writer exists.
Optional: If the Microsoft XPS Document Writer exists, uninstall it first.

Example list of printer and scanner devices where the Microsoft XPS Document Writer is missing.

Click the "Add device" button.
From the list of printers to install, click the link to "Add manually" next to "The printer that I want isn't listed".

Click the link to manually add a printer from the list of available printers to install.

In the Add Printer box, select the "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings" radio button then click the "Next" button.

Click the radio button to add a local or network printer with manual settings.

In the next window, select the radio button to "Use an existing port:" and select "PORTPROMPT: (Local Port)" from the drop-down options.

Click to use an existing local port in the "Choose a printer port" window.

In the next window, choose the printer driver to install.
In the left panel under Manufacturer, click on "Microsoft".
In the right panel under Printers, scroll down and click on "Microsoft XPS Class Driver".
Click the "Next" button.

Select Microsoft as the manufacturer, then select "Microsoft XPS Class Driver" from the available printers in the list.

If desired, set a name for the printer, or leave the default name then click "Next".

If desired, you can rename the printer or leave it with the default name.

In the next window, select the radio button next to "Do not share this printer" and click "Next".

Select the radio button next to "Do not share this printer".

In the last window, click "Finish" to finish installing the printer driver.

Click the "Finish" button to close the installer.

Once the installer has finished, verify the new Microsoft XPS Document Writer shows up in the list of printers and scanners in the Bluetooth & devices list in Settings.

Once the printer driver finishes installing, it will appear in the "Printers & scanners" list in Settings.

With the driver installed, try creating a pdf from the program that was failing to do so before. Be sure to close the program and re-open it before trying to create a pdf from the program.

Printing to a pdf is a great way to share files, but this process is also used by a great deal of programs as they process data. For example, QuickBooks uses the pdf driver to create files when printing checks and various other documents. If something happens to the Microsoft XPS Document Writer, you can run into issues when attempting to print to, or create, pdf files from some programs. If this happens, install the Microsoft XPS Document Writer printer driver which should solve the issue.

As always, even built-in drivers can become corrupt or go missing, so starting there when troubleshooting saves time and money!