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S
Some Guy in GA
Participating Frequently
May 16, 2019
Answered

Adobe's recurring low-memory PDF print problem (but prints fine from iPhone)

  • May 16, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 8440 views

This is a recurring and perennial printing problem which appears to be a continuing mystery to Adobe.  Sending a particular PDF to print causes my printer to display a "Memory is low" message and time out.  How do I know this problem is not due to the printer? Because the exact same PDF prints quickly and repeatedly from my iPhone. 

This only happens occasionally on certain PDFs without any apparent rhyme or reason.  For the affected PDF, it's the same result from the latest version of Reader or Acrobat Pro XI.  Rebooting the computer does not change anything.  Once a PDF becomes unprintable, it stays unprintable from my desktop computer, but can be printed from an iPhone.  At the same time, other PDFs continue to print fine from the desktop computer.

This has happened to me a few times previously over the years, and there are multiple posts in these forums from other users experiencing the same problem.

PDF: a 2-page color document less than 350KB

Computer: macOS Mojave 10.14.2 on quad core intel xeon X5, 16 GB ram

Printer: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M476dw

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Abambo

    Does print as image work? (Advanced button on the printer dialogue)

    2 replies

    S
    Stuart22018564hf4q
    Participant
    February 25, 2024

    Print as image didn't work either.  I think print as image has worked other times in this situation, but not for the file I'm trying to print today.

    Abambo
    Community Expert
    AbamboCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 18, 2019

    Does print as image work? (Advanced button on the printer dialogue)

    ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
      S
      Some Guy in GAAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      May 18, 2019

      That did work!  Thank you.

      I didn't even know "Print as image" was there, or what it meant.  Adobe must have added that as a work-around to whatever glitch this is.

      Abambo
      Community Expert
      AbamboCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 18, 2019

      Yes. Print as image is however only a workaround and not a solution. It may well be that the printing system used inside the printer for iOS is different than that of MacOS. It may also well be that on the MacOS the printer driver "enhances" elements in the PDF and those "enhancements" may cause strange errors.

      ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
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