Why can't I scan documents from a printer/scanner into a PDF anymore?

Report · Sep 18, 2017

I used to use the Create PDF from Scanner function of Adobe all the time to scan hard copies of documents from my multi-function printer, which has a scanner bed and a document feeder, into PDFs that would appear on my desktop screen so that I could email them as attachments to people. Then I got a new computer, an upgrade from my older MacBook Pro, and this basic function no longer works. I don't know whether the problem is the printer or Adobe or some combination of the two.

Here is what happens: I put the document face down on the flatbed of the scanner, close it, then select (in Adobe) Create PDF from Scanner, like I always did. It opens a window that instructs me me to choose my device, which I do (a Brother DCP-L2540DW) and then the printer/scanner window appears, along with a message that the scanner is warming up (and my printer/scanner does indeed make warming-up type noises, which is encouraging). The window that allows me to select scanning options appears, and I select them (Flatbed source, 300 dpi, Black and White, US letter, etc) and click on the SCAN oval. And then NOTHING HAPPENS. I mean, literally NOTHING. And I've waited for up to five minutes for something to happen, and clicked on the SCAN oval again and again. My printer/scanner goes to sleep waiting for something to happen. I try to quit Adobe Acrobat so that I can re-open it and try it again, and I get an error message saying that I can't quit because I'm in the midst of a scan. What is going on? This used to be so simple, and now it's infuriating.

My new laptop runs on OS Sierra 10.12.6 and I have Adobe Acrobat Pro XI (version 11.0.22) installed.

Help??

Report · Oct 30, 2017

Hello Ulindqvist,

Sorry for the delay in response to your query and apologize for the inconvenience caused. As per the description above, you are not able to scan a PDF in Mac OS Sierra 10.12.6 using a Brother printer/scanner, Is that correct?

Please refer and try the troubleshooting steps from the following KB doc Troubleshoot issues in scanning using Acrobat on Mac OS Link: https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/troubleshoot-scanning-problems-acrobat-8.html

Please check for any pending updates of Acrobat/Reader installed from Help>Check for updates.

If the issue persists, please share the following details:

Is Acrobat or free desktop version of Reader installed, Check from Help>About Adobe Acrobat/Reader.
Check for the latest updates installed for Printer/Scanner.

Hope this helps, and keep us posted with the results.

Regards,

Anand Sri.

Report · Nov 08, 2021

Thanks ulindqvist for your input,

I just spent over an hour with tech support ddressing the same problem. USing a MacBook Pro runinng Big Sur 11.6 with an HP PfficeJet Pro 8035 multi function printer. Follow simple procedure to create PDF from scan. Get mesage "Color format not valid" or "Cannot quit while scanning in process">. Tech spport said it is a known problem because I "shared" my printer on my network. This is a failure while doing a trial subscription of this product. How do thy expect me to decide to spend the money on this product. Plus there are no assuarances it will be addressed once I purchase. VERYDISAPPOINTED.

Report · Nov 08, 2021

Your ability to use the scanning ability of your MFP rests with the driver for your machine. Many older printers DO NOT have compatible scanner drivers for Mac's recent 64-bit OS's and are unlikely to be updated.

If you had a driver installed on your system before in an older OS, upgrading to Big Sur may not affect your ability to print, but the scanner driver may no longer work.

To test, open Image Capture app on your Mac. If this can successfully connect to your scanner and execute scans, then you "should" be able to use it in Acrobat, as they use the same driver (sometimes listed with (ICA) appended). If you get the same errors, then you will know it's the driver at fault.