All PDFs now print mostly blank

[raymondc39761308]

I've spend the past three hours trying to figure out this problem.  Starting just recently (not entirely sure, I don't pay attention to when I print out PDFs), all PDFs that had any data fields are now printing mostly blank.  This is happening in both Acrobat 9 and the latest build of Reader.  Here's what I've done:

1. Updated all drivers (printer, etc) and software (Adobe products).  My Windows software (Windows 10) is up to date as well.

2. Made sure "print on both sides" is turned off

3. Yes, if I click "print as image" it sorta works - but the quality is terrible and is nothing close to the quality I have come to expect.

4.  Yes, I've gone to the Adobe page that tells me how to troubleshoot printing issues.  I have not yet tried printing on another printer/computer, but I can confirm that it is EVERY SINGLE PDF that has a form field of any kind (for example, my entire Turbotax PDF return has blank fields when printed).

It seems like this problem comes up from time to time, but it is entirely unclear whether there has ever been a single, official "fix".  Can ANYBODY help me with this - this is a crippling problem for my workflow.

Raymond

[Dov Isaacs]

In the print dialog, there is a control labelled Comments & Forms.

If you have that set to Document or Document and Stamps, none of the forms fields will print at all (including constant form fields). If you select Form Fields Only, the form fields will print, but not anything else. To get everything to print, choose the Document and Markup option!!!

Based on the symptoms you describe, that should solve the problem (and turn off the print as image option which of course gives much inferior output).

Let us know if this solves your problem.

          - Dov

[raymondc39761308]

I appreciate the assistance, but that didn't help.  "Documents and Markups" is already checked. I tried unchecking and rechecking, but that made no difference whatsoever.  The only change to my computer recently was a Windows 10 update, but I don't see any indication that others are experiencing a problem from this particular update.

Any other ideas?  Just to provide a bit more information, I also downloaded Sumatra PDF printer.  It must default to 'Print As Image" because, although the PDF prints, it has the same faded, poor print quality for the form fields that I get if I select "Print As Image" with Acrobat Pro or Reader.  I also just now tried Bulldog PDF Printer, and it doesn't print the fields either.  This seems to point to an operating system problem.

[Dov Isaacs]

OK. Next step. We really would like to help get to the bottom of this! 

Could you please advise as to exactly what type of printer you are printing to (brand and model) and also what PDL (page description language) the drive is using (e.g. PostScript, PCL5, PCL6, something else)?

Have you ascertained that you have the latest printer driver from the printer manufacturer (possibly the latest WIndows update delivered a bad printer driver?!?).

Finally, if you could upload a sample of such a PDF file to someplace where we could test it out, it would help us determine what might be going on.

          - Dov

[raymondc39761308]

I am printing to an Epson Workforce Pro (WP-4530) with fully updated printer drivers and firmware (confirmed last night).  I believe it is using Postscript for the PDL (it's what is indicated on advanced setting, although some of the settings are grayed-out).  Windows did a major update today to Windows 10 Creator, but it didn't fix the issue.  As for loading a sample, frankly its happening with ANY PDF that I work with, but mostly I've been working with tax documents, health records, etc - things that I really don't want to provide.  If it will truly help, I can create a new document using form fields and send that.

[Dov Isaacs]

Nope, That printer does not support PostScript. Such Epson printers have their own proprietary PDL.

Yes, please provide a sample for which this is happening and we'll see whether there is something about the document itself or if there are any further clues on this.

By the way, in the print dialog, absolutely don't select the Save Ink / Toner option. If set, that could result in anemic output.

          - Dov

[raymondc39761308]

OK, I *may* have figured it out.  Just for grins and giggles, I checked ON the Save Ink/Toner option to see what would happen (it was previously turned off).  Everything printed normally and the print quality improved.  I clicked it back off and blank fields.  And this is AFTER I wiped and reloaded ALL of the Epson drivers this morning.

So, I guess I have to check that box to make anything work.  Any ideas why the functionality of that option is reversed?

Raymond

[raymondc39761308]

I just noticed that the printer is also not printing text boxes or arrows added to my word document, so it goes beyond PDF issues.  I think its time to toss the printer...