Skip to main content
J
Jorge Saafigueroa
Participant
November 15, 2021
Answered

Framemaker 2020 can't find PDF printer instance

  • November 15, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 12289 views

Using FrameMaker 2020 with Acrobat DC.

Trying to generate a PDF file from a book.

Getting the following mesage:  "FrameMaker could not find Adobe PDF printer instance, Which must be installed to execute Save as PDF command."

Acrobat DC and Distiller are installed.

Unable to install driver manually.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Tanks,

Correct answer Jorge Saafigueroa

Issue solved:

Issue:

 

 

Verify you have the PDF Printer loaded:

 

If not Loaded:

https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/acrobat/kb/unable-to-install-pdf-printer-certificate-revoked-port-unknown/jcr_content/main-pars/procedure_710305163/proc_par/step_0/step_par/download_section/download-1/AdobePDF.zip

Download the driver zip file, extract and load the printer using the Adobepdf.inf file in the archive.

Once the printer is loaded, try FM again.  If the problem persists, Try the following:

Remove Adobe Acrobat DC:

Try FM again.  If the problem persists, reload distiller.

How to reload distiller:

(If you have Adobe Acrobat installed, remove it first.)

Follow the steps in this link: Missing Distiller error on saving a document as PDF in FrameMaker (adobe.com)

NOTE:  In step 8 you might have to point to Program Files instead of Program Files (X86) if FrameMaker is loaded under Program Files.

Try FM again.

Reboot may be necessary.

Conclusion: 

Missing Driver and Acrobat DC were causing these issues.

 

I installed Acrobat DC afterwards and it broke the save as PDF utility. 

3 replies

Two-fer
Two-fer
Inspiring
May 9, 2024

I had this same message pop up out-of-the-blue today even though I have not updated any software for a while.  (I am running Acrobat Pro Version 2024 and FM Version 17.0.2.431). (However,  I had noticed over the past week or so that Acrobat had occasionally been stalling or wouldn't start up even when I clicked on the icon, and I would have to restart the computer). Anyway, I restarted the computer but the same message came up again in FM,  so then I opened Acrobat and went to Help-->Repair Installation (I didn't even know this was a  menu option until today).  After it had done its magic (it took about 20~30 seconds), I then closed Acrobat and FM  and then restarted FM and successfully created a PDF.  Hopefully this may help someone in a similar situation.

    J
    Julia31139235kp4e
    Participant
    May 9, 2024

    Thank you! Your solution worked for me after at least an hour of researching, uninstalling and reinstalling Frame (to no avail), and trying to manually add the Adobe printer.

    Two-fer
    Two-fer
    Inspiring
    May 10, 2024

    Glad it worked for you! 😃

    J
    Jorge SaafigueroaAuthorCorrect answer
    Participant
    November 17, 2021

    Issue solved:

    Issue:

     

     

    Verify you have the PDF Printer loaded:

     

    If not Loaded:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/acrobat/kb/unable-to-install-pdf-printer-certificate-revoked-port-unknown/jcr_content/main-pars/procedure_710305163/proc_par/step_0/step_par/download_section/download-1/AdobePDF.zip

    Download the driver zip file, extract and load the printer using the Adobepdf.inf file in the archive.

    Once the printer is loaded, try FM again.  If the problem persists, Try the following:

    Remove Adobe Acrobat DC:

    Try FM again.  If the problem persists, reload distiller.

    How to reload distiller:

    (If you have Adobe Acrobat installed, remove it first.)

    Follow the steps in this link: Missing Distiller error on saving a document as PDF in FrameMaker (adobe.com)

    NOTE:  In step 8 you might have to point to Program Files instead of Program Files (X86) if FrameMaker is loaded under Program Files.

    Try FM again.

    Reboot may be necessary.

    Conclusion: 

    Missing Driver and Acrobat DC were causing these issues.

     

    I installed Acrobat DC afterwards and it broke the save as PDF utility. 

    J
    Jorge SaafigueroaAuthor
    Participant
    November 17, 2021

    One more note.

     

    Uninstalling FrameMaker, Installating Acrobat and Reinstallating FrameMaker solved the final conflict between FM and Acrobat.

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 17, 2021

    Yes, that's always been the order - get Acrobat in first, then load FM and either explicitly tell it not to load its "headless" version of Acrobat or hope that it detects that Acrobat is already present & skip that internally.

    W
    Community Expert
    Winfried RengCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 16, 2021

    Hi Jorge,

     

    Is Adobe PDF in your list of printers?

    When you search this Adobe FrameMaker for the keywords "PDF printer", then you will find a number of threads which deal with exactly your issue.

    Can you check, if one of these solves your issue?

    For example:

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/framemaker-discussions/framemaker-could-not-find-adobe-pdf-printer/m-p/10570404#M62190

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/framemaker-discussions/frame-2017-cannot-print-to-pdf-or-ps-or-printer-as-of-april-6-2018/m-p/9783220

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/framemaker-discussions/how-to-reinstall-pdf-printer/m-p/10676574

     

    Best regards

     

    Winfried

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices