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1

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

Community Beginner ,
Apr 27, 2018 Apr 27, 2018

One of my users got this error recently when she was trying to convert or combine Excel spreadsheets to PDF via the context menu.  We tried removing Adobe Standard DC and reinstalling it, and then running a full repair on Office 365.  When that didn't work, I disabled the COM plug-in in Excel, but I could not then *re-enable* the plug-in.  So I set up a new machine also with Office 365 ProPlus (16.08431.2242) and installed Adobe Standard DC (18.011.20038), and I continue to get the "An unexpected error occurred" right away.  However, if I open one Excel file and use the ribbon, the file converts just fine.

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2 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS
Participant ,
Apr 13, 2022 Apr 13, 2022

For the record, it was finally fixed in the 4/12/2022 updates. 

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 11, 2025 Aug 11, 2025

If the solution below does not work, or if a repair or reinstallation does not resolve the issue either, I have found that the folder path name (whether it's local or on a network) and the file name can contribute to this error. (It cannot be too long)

I copied the file to a shorter folder path, such as C:\temp, and it worked without any issues.

View solution in original post

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New Here ,
Oct 04, 2022 Oct 04, 2022

I have run into this problem with a customer as of mine as well now.  Windows 10 (10.0.19044), Office 365 (16.0.15629.20156), Acrobat DC (22.002.2012) and Creative Cloud (5.9.0.372).  I have tried all of the same steps as fjh241 with the same results.  I completely uninstalled both office and adobe (through creative cloud).  The issue only occurs while using powerpoint and doesnt matter if its a brand new presentation or an old one.  Has your engineering team had a chance to review the issue yet?

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Participant ,
Oct 05, 2022 Oct 05, 2022

Have you tried rolling back versions? Based on the numbers, it looks like you might be on the absolute latest of O365 and Adobe. I'm on O365 15601.20148 and Adobe 002.20191 and do not have any issues. Might be broken in the latest release? Do you have them both on 64bit?

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New Here ,
Sep 01, 2023 Sep 01, 2023

When will there be a fix for this issue?  I just started experiencing the problem recently. 

Lori25676047jq58_0-1693605251006.png

 

 

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New Here ,
Oct 05, 2022 Oct 05, 2022

I have the same issue. 

 

Have checked the com add-ins, it's toggled on. I have even uninstalled and reinstall it as well, still doesn't work. Kindly advice.

 

Screenshot 2022-10-05 171718.jpg

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Adobe Employee ,
Oct 05, 2022 Oct 05, 2022

Hi @eatwhite 

 

Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that.

Please try the steps shared in the correct answer https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-sdk-discussions/quot-pdfmaker-was-unable-to-produce-the-adobe... and see if that works for you.

 

Also, what is the workflow/steps you are doing to create the PDF, please share the version of the OS and the Acrobat DC you are using.

 

Regards

Amal

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New Here ,
Oct 05, 2022 Oct 05, 2022

This thread should be open back to Not resolved instead of resolved. What is the update/fix on this? 

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Adobe Employee ,
Oct 06, 2022 Oct 06, 2022

Hi @Marco_CG  @eatwhite 

 

We are aware of this issue and its reported to our engineering team for review.

 

The fix will be available in the future updates.

 

Thanks for your tie and patience.

 

Regards

Amal

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New Here ,
Oct 17, 2022 Oct 17, 2022

any update on this? 

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Adobe Employee ,
Nov 08, 2022 Nov 08, 2022

Hi @Marco_CG 

 

Hope you are doing well.

 

Are you still experiencing this issue? Please try to update the application to the recent version 22.3.20258 or 22.3.20263 optional update (Windows Only) and reboot the computer once and see if that fixes the issue for you.

 

Let us know how it goes.

 

Regards

Amal

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 11, 2025 Aug 11, 2025

If the solution below does not work, or if a repair or reinstallation does not resolve the issue either, I have found that the folder path name (whether it's local or on a network) and the file name can contribute to this error. (It cannot be too long)

I copied the file to a shorter folder path, such as C:\temp, and it worked without any issues.

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Community Beginner ,
Aug 11, 2025 Aug 11, 2025
LATEST

The folder path or the file name cannot be too long. At least in this case, it's what solved it for my user.

Additionally, only have one instance of Adobe installed. My user also had Adobe Reader and Pro installed.

 

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