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swvermeulen
Inspiring
February 28, 2018
Answered

The PDF printer has disappeared

  • February 28, 2018
  • 6 replies
  • 20647 views

After latest update of adobe acrobat pro DC (for me d.d. 25 February 2018)

The PDF printer has disappeared.

System config:
Windows 7 professional sp1 64 bit
Creative cloud (adobe acrobat pro DC)

Actions done to get the printer back (did not help):
1. I tried a repair of adobe acrobat pro DC.
2. I tried manually add the printer.
3. reinstall adobe acrobat pro DC.

If I go to the windows event viewer I see the following error message:
Installing printer driver - failed, error code 0x2, HRESULT 0x80070002. See the event user data for context information.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer swvermeulen

The latest update of adobe solved this problem

6 replies

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ETA1549
Participant
October 16, 2021

October 2021 and this disappearing Adobe PDF printer problem still persists. Looks like when Acrobat 2017 does an automatic update it kills off the Adobe PDF printer.  Happening on every system with Acrobat 2017 installed, including some fresh builds.

 

Repair does not bring it back. Only fix is to uninstall Acrobat 2017, reinstall, turn off auto updates (otherwise the next Acrobat update will delete the Adobe PDF printer) and stay on an insecure older version of 2017.  Happening on a mix of Windows 8.1 Pro systems, been going on since at least early Summer.

 

Turned off auto-update till we can migrate over to CutePDF Writer as a workaround on systems that really only need Reader plus a way to create PDF. Thankfully Win10 and never office apps are making the need for Acrobat less and less.

 

 

 

 

 

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williamw53190929
Participant
October 17, 2021

There are many replies on this by individuals far more experienced in the tech. I am just a boring CPA in NJ. I did post in Sep 2019 what I noticed with this issue. Go and read my post. Ignore replies to it. 

I use Windows 10 Home, bought from Lenovo in Feb this year pre-installed on a desktop. 

I resolved this problem for me. On three machines. Windows 8 systems are the other two. Both purchased from Lenovo. Logically if an update cannot find a file to update, it will install its version. Therefore, do what you have to re-install Adobe. When you see your Adobe printer, RENAME IT. Since I have renamed my Adobe printer, I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS PRINTING WITH ADOBE, on any of my machines. And, I've not cared if an update installed one, and then it disappears after I get to work in my clients' Quickbooks files. Yes, I've seen the Adobe printer show up after an update. Only to disappear. But my RENAMED Adobe printer is always there! 

Now, will I have to update the Adobe printer at some point, I believe so. You can be sure when I do, I'll rename it after it is updated!!! 

Good Luck, Believe in Your Plan

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DILIP0D45
Participant
October 15, 2021

In our organisation we have upgrade win7 VDIs acrobat pro 2017 to 17.011.30202 and after upgrade the adobe pdf printer disappeared.i Have manually added the adobe pdf printer but with this manually added printer users are unable to print excel in documents or desktop folders wwhich is a network location(roaming profile) with error in print status where as if they print to downloads it works fine .Almost 50K users are impacted . ADOBE EXPERTS NEED YOUR HELP HERE .This 17.011.30202 upgrade works fine in win10 1909 

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ETA1549
Participant
October 16, 2021

I feel your pain. Turn off the automatic adobe updates for a temp fix. It is the acrobat updates that kill off the PDF printer. Seems to be impacting Win7 (guessing you are on ESU) and Win8.1 systems.

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AwesomeSchedulerGuy
Participant
November 27, 2019

With Adobe DC open, I go to Help>Repair Installation...this fixes it until I shut down the computer for the night.  Starting up the next day and Adobe is no longer an available printer option.

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dtunni
Participant
December 13, 2019

I have the same problem.  The Adobe Printer is repaired using the "Repair Installation" feature but then disappears.

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nice_Wildflower5CD0
Participant
December 26, 2019

same issue. Windows 10, latest Adobe createive install.

repair install fixes the printer every time.

 

I'm willing to accept this is not caused by adobe software, but no other printers drop like this as we have several virtual printers as well!

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LovePenguins
Participant
October 18, 2018

Problem still persists

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swvermeulenAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
March 12, 2018

The latest update of adobe solved this problem

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dbrownSRL
Participant
March 19, 2018

I disagree. As of 19March18, this problem is not solved and continues to occur. The forums show the recurring problem of the PDF printer disappearing from Windows was first reported at least ten (10) years ago, but remains unresolved. Has anyone received a cogent explanation from Adobe on why this problem occurs or a workable solution to preventing recurrence? Problem is temporarily repaired (on this machine, at least) by using Acrobat 'repair installation' function, but the problem recurs frequently, often weekly. System is Windows 7 home premium, Adobe CC subscription, all applications up-to-date per CC app. Does anyone know of a way to disable removal of the PDF printer? Does anyone know what process or program removes the PDF printer?

    Creative Scout
    Creative Scout
    Participant
    June 13, 2018

    Have anyone solution to this drawback? The PDF printer disappear after adobe acrobrat pro DC (February/2018) - Creative Cloud version - OS Windows 7 Pro.

    Please advise us. Thanks

    jayants33240872
    jayants33240872
    Inspiring
    February 28, 2018

    First of all try to check that your printer is connected to the device or not, you can check the same by opening control panel>devices and printers, if it is not listed is it, you need to connect it from control panel, Acrobat will automatically connect to it. Also try to change the mode of connection for your printer if you are connecting it via wifi try to connect it via cable and vice versa.

    S
    swvermeulenAuthor
    Inspiring
    February 28, 2018

    The adobe pdf printer is not a physical printer,

    and by looking in the location devices and printers is where I discovered that the printer was gone!

    jayants33240872
    jayants33240872
    Inspiring
    February 28, 2018

    I apologize for the misunderstanding.

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