How to stop 'rely on system fonts only' and 'page size' from being reset / changed all the time

[AnnAllsort]

Every so often when I print to pdf, say from MS Word, I find that the setting for 'rely on system fonts only' (which converts all the document content to meaningless gibberish) is ticked and the setting for 'page size' is letter (it reads in that moment to be A4, but the print size is letter and on opening the Adobe PDF Document Properties dialogue/screen from computer settings (no when this is done from Word), it is clearly set as 'Letter').  I therefore reset them back to be unticked and A4 respectively, and off we go...until they are mysteriously reset back yet again (a software update??) to being ticked and Letter, and I have to go through the whole process again.

This happens on two computers, both MS Suface Pros. one Windows 10 and the other Windows 11.

Does anyone have an explanation as to:

1. Why this is happening, and,

2. How to ensure my preference settings are retained once and for all.

Thanks,

Ann

[Test Screen Name]

Where are you changing the setting? If you want to change it permanently, don't change it from Word, but from the Printers Control Panel.  

[AnnAllsort]

In all cases, all changes are made using the Printer Control Panel accessed via Settings – never from the panels accessed via Word.  In fact, if I try to change them in Word, the fonts change is effective but the paper size remains letter even though I have changed it to A4 (I think – it's been a little while since I've done this) .

As a result, I haven't change this via Word for you some time – only ever via the Print Control Panel via Settings.

[sharon_5765]

THANK YOU!!!!

[mikirey]

Having the same problems. It fricks me... Because the fonts are not available and not in English - the file closing is taking forever and finally and I get an Error. Have anyone found a solution?

[Joe252511274lom]

I'm having the same issue. Even after going into the Windows device > printer settings and DE-SELECTING "Rely on sytem fonts only" option, whenever I attempt to print to .pdf via the Adobe PDF printer the option is SELECTED. 

Even though the option is de-deselected in the default printer properties it is still showing as selected within every applicaiton when I attempt to print to .pdf. I do have Adobe PDF Printing as the default printer and I'd restarted my PC prior to checking. 

This issue just started whereby if I attempt to print to .PDF from Cognos BI Excel exports, now all of a sudden the .PDF prints in gibberish. We shouldn't have to de-select an option EVERY TIME we need to print. 

[Klaus270742068xsx]

Same problem. I have to change that setting every time I print. Has anyone figured out to make this a default setting? 

[christopherp88787581]

I've been having this problem across multiple solutions and it's absolutely maddening. Adobe is the worst for idiotic problems like this recurring over and over and over again in their apps. How is it a company with as many resources as it has can't get basic things like this to work and keeps routinely breaking their apps? I first had this problem crop up recently, but it's on two personal computers and one work computer. PLEASE FIX THIS!!!

[mikirey]

Have the same problem. My OS and 365 office are up to date... happens on two different computer.

[bbershad]

I have the same issue. Every few weeks it resets in the control panel settings. PLEASE FIX THIS!!!!

[Tigher Feenix]

Found this on another board.  Resolution 2. It involves a registry edit, so make sure you back up your registry before doing this. 

I ran it without problems, but only time will tell if it sticks, because yes this is frustrating as all get out and shut the front door! 

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/error--when-you-create-a-postscript-file-you-must-rely-on-system....

[mikirey]

Thank you. I did it 10 days ago and it did'nt happen again but as you said - only time will tell. Hope it will solve the problem for good

[Webb38165169du4t]

I also did it couple weeks or more ago.  The system just reset it again today, but at least I was frustration-free a couple weeks!

[Tom E P]

I have the same problem.  Not keen to meddle with the registry, so I guess I just have to live with it until the bug is fixed ...

[Carrie34225282he7l]

I have the same issue and it is driving me up a wall.  Hopefully they fix this. It's a huge waste of time.

[stuporman7]

I've been putting up with this for a long time. I've come to believe it's not an Adobe issue; I think it's Microsoft. I believe they regularly push updates to Windows, and with evry update the "Rely on system fonts only..." gets reset to the default of being checked. So every few weeks I have to go into the Windows Settings, find the Adobe PDF printing preferences and uncheck that box. It is a pain. I wish I knew how to fix it.

[eetrojan]

Same problem here. 

I have repeatedly tried to permanently UNCHECK "rely on system fonts only; do not use document fonts," only to have it revert on the very next document, or the next day.  It's not super consistent. 

I do it from within Windows ("Printers and Scanners"), and via the print dialog box after selecting Adobe PDF as the printer.  Nothing sticks.

It's annoying because you only find out it reverted when you get an text-based error log instead of a PDF file.

[Lucas30067918c839 · Accepted solution]

I found a workaround for this situation.

I created a .bat file that runs a .reg file with the settings to uncheck the checkbox.

I set up a task in Windows to run this .bat file every 5 minutes (just as a precaution).

Since the .bat file is very lightweight, you won’t see the .bat file or the command prompt window opening, making it "invisible" to the user. The checkbox will always be unchecked every 5 minutes.

Here is the reg file:
https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/error--when-you-create-a-postscript-file-you-must-rely-on-system....

Then you have to create a .bat file with the following command:

reg import <path_to_reg_file_>\reg_file.reg


{moderator exchanged the link text with the link, for improved security}

[joseph_4086]

What a hilarious fix.  I was referred to that registry fix by an Adobe customer service rep about a month ago.  It fixed things, for a while, until it stopped.

Lucas says to himself, "OK, let's just run it ever 5 minutes, 24 hours a day!"

I admire your stick-to-itiveness!

Adobe, please, please fix this issue.

[Lucas30067918c839]

Let's see who wins this hahahaha.

[Abambo]

Let's see who wins this hahahaha.

By @Lucas30067918c839

Whatever works for you.