PDF Printing Issue

Hello!

I hope you are doing well, and thanks for sharing all the details and for your cooperation.

Based on your description, it sounds like Adobe Distiller has mistakenly become your default print handler for PDFS, which is likely causing the issue, especially since you're just trying to print PDFS you’ve received, not create or process them via Distiller.

To confirm, are you using the freeware Acrobat Reader or the Acrobat Pro desktop app? 

Ensure Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader is set as your default PDF viewer and not Distiller.

• Windows:

  • Right-click on any PDF file > Open with > Choose another app

  • Select Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader

  • Check "Always use this app to open .pdf files"

  • Click OK.

Make sure your actual printer is selected when printing, and not Adobe PDF or Adobe Distiller:

• Open the PDF in Acrobat

• Go to File > Print

• In the Printer dropdown, select your physical printer (not Adobe PDF or Distiller)

• Click Advanced and check "Print as image" if you're still facing issues

If Distiller is opening unexpectedly:

• Open Adobe Distiller

• Go to Settings > Watch Folders

• If any folders are listed, remove them by selecting and clicking Remove Folder

• This stops Distiller from auto-processing PDFs dropped into those locations.

You may also refer to these articles and try the suggestions: https://adobe.ly/3GqzEF7

If the issue persists, please share the current version of the operating system installed, the version of Acrobat (assuming you are on the latest build 25.001.20458, Planned update, Apr 15, 2025), the make and model of the printer, the version, and the PDF file for testing. Do collect the printing logs from the machine and share them with us.

Thanks,

Anand Sri.