how to get my default printer to print PDFs

Crystal Brackett 0 Reputation points
2026-06-10T13:04:27.94+00:00

My default network printer will print from outlook and a test page, but it will not print from QuickBooks online or Adobe. The printer makes a small sound of movement but doesn't print and nothing is in the print queue.

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Print, fax, and scan
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  1. Daphne Huynh (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 985 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-11T01:30:10.6766667+00:00

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum! 

    Based on your symptoms, this does not indicate a printer hardware issue, but rather a software / print pipeline problem affecting specific applications.

    This behavior is commonly seen when the application’s print engine fails to hand off the job to Windows, especially in browser-based or PDF workflows. The issue is most often related to:

    • Browser / Chromium print pipeline issues (affects QuickBooks Online)
    • PDF/Adobe rendering or settings issues
    • User profile cache or temporary file corruption
    • Less commonly: driver compatibility or spooler inconsistencies

    QuickBooks specifically relies on browser, PDF components and printing issues are often tied to cache, browser behavior, or Adobe integration.

    I would like to share the following recommended solutions that may help you. 

    1. Test in private/incognito mode (QuickBooks)

    • Open browser in Incognito / Private mode
    • Try printing again

    If it works, clear browser cache (Cache-related issues are a known cause of QuickBooks printing failures)

    2. Clear browser cache / try different browser

    • Clear cookies + cache
    • Test in another browser (Edge / Chrome / Firefox)

    3. Fix Adobe / PDF handling

    • Update or repair Adobe Acrobat/Reader
    • In Adobe: Try Print as Image (Advanced settings)
    • Test with a different PDF

    (Adobe-specific issues can prevent jobs from being sent to the printer at all)

    4. Check PDF handling in browser

    • Ensure PDFs open in-browser (not download only)
    • Disable “Always download PDF” in Edge/Chrome settings

    5. Validate printer selection inside apps

    Applications may use a different or invalid printer, re-select your default printer inside QuickBooks print dialog and Adobe print dialog. (Misaligned app-level printer settings are a common cause)

    1. Try a Different User Profile

    Log in with a different Windows user account and attempt to print from QuickBooks Online and Adobe.

    7. Check Application Permissions

    Ensure that QuickBooks Online and Adobe have the necessary permissions to access the printer.

    I hope this information is helpful and thank you for choosing Microsoft Q&A to raise your concern. 

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