Skip to main content
B
bertramchan
New Participant
May 17, 2017
Answered

PDFmaker was unable to produce the Adobe PDF

  • May 17, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 60884 views

We have a number of machines here that cannot use PDFMaker to convert Word files to PDF.

From Windows Explorer, we locate the Word file, right click on it and choose "Convert to Adobe PDF." An Adobe PDF Status window opens and we are prompted for where to "Save Adobe PDF File As." Leaving the default filename and location we click Save and the progress bar in the Adobe PDF Status window almost moves to the end but then we get this error:

---------------------------

Acrobat PDFMaker

---------------------------

An unexpected error occurred. PDFMaker was unable to produce the Adobe PDF.

---------------------------

OK  

---------------------------

Alternatively, we open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, click on File, Create, PDF from File... and choose the Word document. A status window shows in the bottom right corner saying "Starting the application which created the selected document. Please wait..." and then it's followed by the same error:

---------------------------

Acrobat PDFMaker

---------------------------

An unexpected error occurred. PDFMaker was unable to produce the Adobe PDF.

---------------------------

OK  

---------------------------

We are using 2015 Release (Classic) Version 2015.006.30306 and Microsoft Office 365 Business version 1703 (Build 7967.2161 Click-to-Run)

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Benton35460322m6rb

    fwiw: We were having the same issue in our environment for a couple users and specific Word documents. Converting the document from .doc to .docx file format and then converting to AdobePDF worked.

    6 replies

    B
    Benton35460322m6rbCorrect answer
    New Participant
    March 15, 2024

    fwiw: We were having the same issue in our environment for a couple users and specific Word documents. Converting the document from .doc to .docx file format and then converting to AdobePDF worked.

    J
    Jeanne293703363j7p
    New Participant
    April 25, 2023

    I am experiencing the same issue, and have been for over two months. I have reached out to Adobe, worked with them on the issue and then was told it was a file issue and to check with Microsoft. Microsoft tells me it is an Adobe issue. All of my systems have been updated with thelatest versions, I have booted my computer, done repairs. I am tired of dealing with the excuses and need answers.

     

    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Brainiac
    April 25, 2023

    (Please note: I am not an Adobe employee nor a Microsoftie...just an unpaid volunteer expert here in the forums. Be kind!)

     

    Shut down any unneeded programs that are running in the background. Conversions need a fair amount of RAM and drive space, and can fail when your hard drive is getting filled up or your computer is running out of RAM.

     

    There is always the chance that the original Word or PowerPoint file has a glitch or something in the code that causes Adobe PDF Maker to fail. We recommend these steps:

     

    1. Open the original MS Office file (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) in a current version of Word/PowerPoint. This step often brings the file more up-to-date with Adobe PDF Maker so that there is less chance the conversion will fail.
       
    2. Save the Office file with a new file name. This forces a new file to be built by Microsoft, which not only brings the file up to date (code-wise), but also corrects some of the glitches in the file that could be failing the conversion to PDF.
       
    3. Convert the new file to  PDF via any of these methods:
      • Adobe PDF Maker by using the Acrobat Ribbon tab. Set your preferences first, then select convert to PDF.
      • Adobe PDF Maker by using File / Save As Adobe PDF. It's using the same "engine" as the ribbon tab version, but doesn't have as many controls or preferences.
      • Microsoft's conversion to PDF. File /Save As and choose PDF from the File Type drop-down menu. Control your setting via the Options button. This method bypasses Adobe entirely, and uses a Microsoft conversion utility.
      • Select the new file in your Windows explorer folder, right-click, and select Convert to Adobe PDF. This method usually doesn't give you any options/preferences to control what type of PDF you're making, but we find that it mostly picks up the settings in Preferences from the Ribbon tab (above).
      • Open Adobe Acrobat. Select File / Create / PDF from File and choose the new version of the file, not the original one.

     

    But keep in mind one key strategy of these suggestions: Open the original Word/PowerPoint file in a current version of MS Word/PowerPoint, and save it with a new name. This step helps correct any irregularities in the Office file. Your content shouldn't change, only how the file is coded.

     

    How to check your software versions: you can visit Adobe and Microsoft's websites. We give directions in this blog: https://www.pubcom.com/blog/software-versions/index.shtml

     

    |    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
    T
    TallyITGuy3
    Known Participant
    July 11, 2023

    Has anyone found a fix for this??  I havver several users having this same issue and we all have updated Office 365 as well as the latest Adobe Acrobat.  Saving as a pdf works fine in Word but Excel is the issue on all that are not working.  And another things I have noticed.  One the PC's that cannt save as pdf, under the Export tab in Excel the Create PDF/XPS Document option is missing.  This is missing on all that cannot save to PDF.  

    A
    aldo25596118bux7
    Inspiring
    October 4, 2022

    Same problem, I'm on 2020 versio of office 365 update this morning. now from Word it seems to work well, Powerpoin still not working

      C
      carlos78059792
      New Participant
      October 4, 2022

      I'm having the same problem. Bevi Chagnon's fix worked for me. Here it is: 

       

      Another option is to use Microsoft's built-in utility to export to PDF, and by-pass Adobe's products entirely.

      File / Save As / and select PDF. Be sure to drill down and check the options you want in the PDF.

        A
        aldo25596118bux7
        Inspiring
        October 4, 2022

        many thanks

        File Save as and/or export function works well als for me because don't use Acrobat extension

        I'll try to find Bevi Chagnon's fix you mentioned

          J
          Joy0D4D
          New Participant
          November 19, 2020

          I un-installed - rebooted - re-installed - rebotted and it still crashes and cannot make a form.

            A
            Anirudh26388766ygeh
            New Participant
            October 2, 2022

            these adobe engineers who cant even build a stable product i cant even convert a simple document wihtout this messsage showing up?!!!!!!!!!!!

             

            (abusive remarks removed by moderator)

              C
              Charles26413214ky0f
              New Participant
              October 3, 2022

              The PDF Maker plug-in is installed when Acrobat Pro or Standard is installed on the computer.

               

              Make sure you're using the latest version of Acrobat in order to get the latest version of PDF Maker. It was updated substantially within the past year.

               

              Within Acrobat, go to Help menu / Check for Updates. You can view a complete list of released versions at https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/ReleaseNotesDC/index.html 

               

              Another option is to use Microsoft's built-in utility to export to PDF, and by-pass Adobe's products entirely.

              File / Save As / and select PDF. Be sure to drill down and check the options you want in the PDF.

               


              Have you considered the latest version might be the issue? Didn't have problems until I updated...

                AnandSri
                Community Manager
                AnandSriCommunity Manager
                Community Manager
                March 30, 2018

                Hello Bertramchan,

                Sorry for the delayed response and inconvenience caused. Please refer and try the suggestions from the following KB article Troubleshoot Acrobat PDFMaker issues in Microsoft Office on Windows

                Please check for the latest update of Acrobat from help>check for updates, restart the machine after installing the updates. You can also install the updates manually from DC Release Notes — Release Notes for Acrobat DC Products

                See if this brings any difference. If the issue persists, please create a test user profile with full admin rights and check with Acrobat.

                Let us know how it goes and share your findings.

                Regards,

                Anand Sri.

                A
                Andy_DP
                New Participant
                October 27, 2021

                Hi,

                 

                I'm having the same problem, but can't help noticing your replies don't address the stated problem.

                You link to a page regarding problems in word and accessing PDFmaker through word.

                 

                However, the problem is that opening Acrobat DC and going to the create option gives the following error.

                An unexpected error occurred. PDFMaker was unable to produce the Adobe PDF.

                 

                Whilst I have updated office as you suggest the issue does appear to be an acrobat problem and not a word one.

                 

                Regards,

                 

                Andy

                  B
                  BillerDude
                  Participating Frequently
                  February 7, 2018

                  I'm having the exact same issue, different configuration though.  I have multiple users using Acrobat 2017 Pro 2017.011.30070 with Office 2013 running on Windows 10.  We are unable to use the "Create PDF from file..." function or the right-click context options.  When trying to do either of these tasks, I get the same error message and behavior "An unexpected error occurred.  PDFMaker was unable to produce the Adobe PDF." and the Word document is then left open.

                  The workaround I have my users doing is to simply use the native Office 'save as...' option and selecting PDF as the file type.  This works for the most part, but then, what's the point of purchasing Acrobat?

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