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david_8102
Participant
December 16, 2024
Question

Error File - Rely on System Fonts

  • December 16, 2024
  • 25 replies
  • 2075 views

When creating PDFs from Word and Outlook, I frequently get the error message shown at the bottom of this post.  The error message comes in the form of a text file (instead of the PDF) that's created when I try to convert.   

 

I learned a while back that this can be avoided by going to Windows Printing Preferences and unchecking the box that says "Rely on system fonts only: do not use document fonts."  However, the software periodically changes it back to having that box checked (resulting in error messages again).  Today, the software wouldn't stop generating error messages on the document I tried to convert until I closed out Word.  My questions are:

 

1) Why would anyone want this box checked?  

2) If Aptos is not a common font, why would this not be included in System Fonts?

3) Why does my preference get changed back periodically?  Is there a way to make this stick?

4) Why would a company as sophisiticated as Adobe default to something this dumb and annoying?  I like my prodcutivity software to make me more productive.

 

Someone please help me make this stop!

 

%%[ ProductName: Distiller ]%%
Aptos-Narrow-Bold not found, using Courier.
%%[ Error: invalidfont; OffendingCommand: xshow ]%%

Stack:
[77 77 77 0]
()


%%[ Flushing: rest of job (to end-of-file) will be ignored ]%%
%%[ Warning: PostScript error. No PDF file produced. ] %%

 

25 replies

Debra312669852uxm
Participating Frequently
September 1, 2026

I would hope that each of you actually read the string of communications before responding.

My Adobe does not provide the feature to “ check for updates,” per the screenshot previously provided

With thanks for trying,

Debra.

Anand Sri Bhattacharya
Community Manager
Anand Sri BhattacharyaCommunity Manager
Community Manager
September 1, 2026

​@Debra312669852uxm 

 

I agree as I read the conversation, and saw the screenshots, and this was the reason I suggested trying the Acrobat installation on a new user profile, because the version shared in the screenshot is an old version from 2020. 

 

If this still doesn’t work for you, I can get a session arranged from the technical team so that they can get this checked and assist you. If you wish, I can share the details via direct message, and you can add that information in the same message.

 

Regards,

Anand Sri.

 

Debra312669852uxm
Participating Frequently
September 1, 2026

Hello Meenakshi,

 

Alas, I didn’t find the bit information this way… see screenshot.

But I looked at the current processes running and based on what I see below, I think i have 32 bit.

Please tell me if you agree.

thank you, Debra

 

Anand Sri Bhattacharya
Community Manager
Anand Sri BhattacharyaCommunity Manager
Community Manager
September 1, 2026

Hello ​@Debra312669852uxm 

 

Thanks for sharing the details, and sorry for the trouble.

 

From the screenshot, it confirms that you are using the 32-bit version of an old version of Acrobat.

The latest build of Acrobat is: 26.002.21869, Planned update, Aug 31, 2026. 

 

Can you try closing the Acrobat app and all related processes, restarting the computer, and then checking for any pending updates by navigating to Menu > Help> Check for Updates? Install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

 

Also, would it be possible to create a test user profile with full admin rights and try the workflow? To create a test user profile, please refer to this article: Manage User Accounts in Windows. Insall Acrobat, and check. 

 

Let us know how it goes, and please reach out if you need any assistance.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

 

Debra312669852uxm
Participating Frequently
August 31, 2026

Amal,

 

I apologize; I left something out of my reply.

Yes, meant to say I unchecked the “Rely on system fonts only, do not use document fonts" option under each printer's Advanced printing preferences, specifically?”

I will try to work through the rest of the insight you shared. Where would I find recent Adobe updates or logs, please?

I am not geeky, but I have been forced to try to learn. There’s not enough time in a day or $$ to have an outside party fix.

Respectfully,

Debra

Amal Jaiswal
Community Manager
Amal JaiswalCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 31, 2026

Hi there 

Please try updating the application to the latest version  26.002.21869 Planned update, Aug 31, 2026 go to Help > Check for updtes and reboot the computer once and see if that helps. 

~Amal

Debra312669852uxm
Participating Frequently
August 31, 2026

Hello Amal,

Thank you for your kind reply. I discovered (2) hurdles:

1- My Adobe does not have the drop-down menu as you describe (Help>check for updates. See below

2- I visited the Planned Updates site (per the above link) and noticed the updates are available for both 32 & 64-bit. My system is 64-bit, but I do not know what this particular Adobe is.

Having said that:

  1. Can I update from that website “externally” - meaning my Adobe is not reaching out for it; I am visiting the site for it.
  2. If yes, which bit size do I select, please?

With thanks,

Debra

Debra312669852uxm
Participating Frequently
August 31, 2026

Hello,

 

Thank you for reaching out.

I am running:

  • Windows 11
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Continuous Release: Version 2020.006.20042

I recall that a couple of weeks ago, there were some Microsoft updates; however, no issues were apparent then. Regarding Adobe updates are transparent to me. I would also note that, for some reason, their repair installation is not successful. It looks for files in a different location than where my program installed them.

Respectfully,

Debra

Debra312669852uxm
Participating Frequently
August 31, 2026

I have been having this experience regularly only in the last 1 week. I have unchecked the settings described for both Adobe PDF and Microsoft PDF, and YET IT CONTINUES!!!!!!

What is the solution, please? I am reliant on this PDF functionality, and it’s interfering with my life.

Amal Jaiswal
Community Manager
Amal JaiswalCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 31, 2026

Hi @Debra312669852uxm,

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out. We are sorry for the trouble here, especially since it's affecting something you rely on regularly.

A few things would help, since you mention this only started in the last week: did you install a Windows update or an Acrobat update around the time this started? Also, what version of Acrobat are you running, and are you on Windows 11? And when you say you unchecked the setting for both Adobe PDF and Microsoft PDF, do you mean the "Rely on system fonts only, do not use document fonts" option under each printer's Advanced printing preferences specifically?

This particular setting resetting itself on its own is a known, long-running issue that Adobe has acknowledged in other threads, and as of now, it isn't fully resolved. One workaround that's been suggested is to enable Windows Protected Print (WPP) and reinstall the Adobe PDF printer in that mode; this has helped some users, since it changes how the printer driver handles this setting. Steps for that are here, from an Adobe rep in a related thread: adobe.ly/3SrwQus

Worth trying in the meantime as well:

  • Check for and install any pending Acrobat update, since a fix for part of this was shipped in a past release

  • After unchecking the setting, close out of Word or Outlook completely, rather than just closing the document, since the preference can reset mid-session

  • If neither helps, try printing the same document to "Microsoft Print to PDF" instead of the Adobe PDF printer, to confirm whether it's specific to Acrobat's printer driver or a broader Windows font issue

Let us know your Windows and Acrobat versions, and whether WPP makes any difference.


~Amal

jdoncousecti
jdoncousecti
Participant
August 3, 2026

It is 8/3/26 and this issue still exist.
Can we please get a working fix for this? 
Honestly if the defaults would leave the box unchecked I'm sure this would no longer be an issue. 
If Adobe plans on keeping it checked by default then we need a fix for the issues it causes.

    Amal Jaiswal
    Community Manager
    Amal JaiswalCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    August 3, 2026

    ​Hi @jdoncousecti ,

    Hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out. We are sorry for the trouble you are experiencing.

    We do not have a fixed timeline for when the underlying reset bug will be permanently fixed

    In the meantime, here's what actually works right now, since waiting on a default-behavior change isn't a real option:

    1. Uncheck it and apply the registry fix so it stops reverting. Adobe has a documented KB for this exact error with a downloadable registry fix: Acrobat PDF conversion fails due to virtual fonts on Windows. It walks through unchecking "Rely on system fonts only" in the Adobe PDF printer properties and applying a fix so it holds.

    2. If you're on Windows 11 with Windows Protected Print available, printing through that instead of the classic Adobe PDF printer driver avoids the setting entirely for some people. Not everyone has WPP yet, so it's not a universal fix, but worth checking under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

    Let us know how it goes. 

    ~Amal

    Lea Ann B.
    Participant
    May 27, 2025

    This is very aggravating.  I forget about it and print then I get this log that takes for ever to stop generating and to let me close and move on.  Is there an update to this issue?

    BOTWP
    Participant
    May 28, 2025

    It's amazing to me that this issue has been out there and known for years and Adobe has never addressed it.  Especially, given how dumb this problem is in the first place.  The default should be to not rely only on system fonts and you have to opt in to the more limiting option of relying on system fonts.  

    Lea Ann B.
    Participant
    May 29, 2025

    Agreed. This jus started happening to me recently.

    Regards,

    Lea Ann Baracco
    [P.I removed ]

    Souvik Sadhu
    Souvik Sadhu
    Legend
    December 18, 2024

    Hi @david_8102,

     

    Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble.

     

    We are aware of this and working on the issue.

     

    The fix to this should be live soon.

     

    -Souvik

    BOTWP
    Participant
    May 29, 2025

    6+ months later.  Checking in on status of that fix.  

    Souvik Sadhu
    Souvik Sadhu
    Legend
    May 30, 2025

    Hi 

    @BOTWP

     

    @Lea Ann B.

    ,

     

    Hope you are doing well. Sorry for the trouble with printing files on Acrobat.

     

    The feature is enabled by default, which ensures that when you print to a PDF, and want to edit the file, Acrobat can use the same fonts available on the system.

    For the other part, it is not always guaranteed whether the fonts used in the documents would be available for editing or not.

     

    That being said, the team is working on fixing it where the preferences are reset.

     

    Also, to avoid this, I would suggest using the Windows Protected Print (WPP) which is available with the newer versions of Windows 11 (if possible).

    You can refer to the steps here: https://adobe.ly/3SrwQus

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    Regards,

    Souvik

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