Some PFDs are printing with a black background

[Jennie Bayliss]

Hello

I hope you can help me. Some of my PDFs, when printed via Acrobat Reader, now print with a black background - see image below. It doesn't happen on all PDFs - but enough times for it to be frustrating. PDFs that are attached to an email, like an invoice, seem more likely to print in this way. I'm not sure when exactly this started - but possibly when I upgraded to OS Sonoma last month.

I'm on a MacBook Pro, OS Sonoma 14.1.2. Attempts to fix this, include reinstalling Acrobat Reader. I also deleted then reinstalled the latest printer driver (Brother HL-L3270CDW).

Is anyone else experiencing this? Any ideas how to fix this?

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi Jennie Bayliss,

Thank you for reaching out.

As mentioned, the issue occurs with particular PDFs. Would you mind sharing any sample PDFs with us?

Share the Acrobat Reader and OS version details. 

Try the troubleshooting steps suggested in the following help document: https://adobe.ly/3SdT8QT. 

Let us know how it goes. 

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[Jennie Bayliss]

Hello Meenakshi

Thank you - the link provided just covers the basics which I have followed. Please see my original post for the software versions I'm using also an example as the attachment. 

Kind regards

Jennie 

[Ellen38189059lq39]

I am experiencing the same issues months after the original posting. I am unable to update the settings on my printer, due to how Apple and my printer interact. I have no issues with any apps other than PDFs. Is Adobe doing anything to deal with this? If not, do you offer a credit towards a new printer, since this issue doesn't occur except with printing PDFs?

[Robin358603668jvx]

Yes! So frustrating.. I reinstalled the printer app and drivers. no change. 

[Jennie Bayliss]

As it happens mostly with invoices as pdfs attached to emails. My work around is to screenshot the invoice, then print the screenshot - it's painful, but better than printing an entire page of black ink. I also found out that if I choose to scale the pdf - eg - print at 80% size instead of 100%, then the black will appear as a block in the 20% area that should have printed as white. 

I still have no idea why it happens on some, but not all, and yes, it is very frustrating.

[Barry35895638fhko]

I have the asme problem with an HP Laserjet printer., but only on some documents..
My workaround is to use the HP Smart app which prints normally and only a little more time consuming.

[Jennie Bayliss]

I wish someone knew why this was happening. There has to be a glitch somewhere!  Glad that you too have found a work-around.

[primep60407596]

I had this same probelm but it was with every PDF I printed, I went into the advanced settings on the printer box & unchecked 'Print As Image' and it fixed the problem.

[primep60407596]

Cancel that, it only worked once :(. I really hope we can get a way to fix this soon

[Jennie Bayliss]

It is frustrating not knowing how to fix it. Somebody somewhere has an answer—I hope they let us know soon.

[Jennie Bayliss]

The black PDF happened again today. The first page printed as it should. The 2nd and 3rd page of the PDF printed like this. There seems to be no rhythm or reason as to why some PDFs print like this.

[Suzanne362324762cx0]

My PDF's starting printing with a black background yesterday.  It doesn't matter if the PDF is in an email or on my desktop.  Toner is expensive - I hope a fix is found soon.   

[Tech28531759f7gq]

Same issue for us since the begin of the week.
Can Adobe fixe the issue a soon as possible with a new version ?
We are using another PDF Print software to have a work around !

[Shakti2025]

What PDF Print Software are you using? I may have to start using it. This has been going on for so many months into 2024 and is still happening. Thank you. 

[Shakti2025]

1.I have a Macbook Pro Running Sequoia 15.3.1

2.I am using the following HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw Printer. 

3. I can't figure this out. Does anyone in this community use a Macbook Pro that may be able to give me

feedback? I really need to be able to print without running 10 pages of Black Print all over each page. 

4. I would really appreciate your help. It's time sensitive. 

Thank you. 

Kim 

[Kathryn36287682vea2 · Accepted solution]

Hi All

I am experiencing these same issues. When I had all of the following checked in Advanced Print Set Up, then my doc printed with a white background.

Hope this helps!

[Jennie Bayliss]

Hello Kathryn

Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you have found a solution. 

I tried to do the same for my problematic pdf file, but found the options in the Advanced Print Setup greyed out. Do you have Acrobat Professional or the free Acrobat Reader? I'm wondering whether the free version (the one I have) doesn't allow for these changes?

[ferrellmc]

My print box is greyed out as well and looks like the screenshot you included. I have the free pdf version and I also have a Brother printer. My pdf's print like a negative. What a waste of ink. 

[Lorraine364690409nb4]

I have the same problem with printing a black background unreadable. I only have the free version. Advanced Print set up greyed out. I cannot afford to waste any more ink!!! Can Adobe please please fix this

[Mihelič]

Hi you all, same problem here, with payable Adobe programs.

But when I unchecked Print in greyscale it started to work as it should. Thank you!!

[Tamara37419662e2dh]

UNcheck "Print in grayscale" was a miracle that saved me!

Thank you!

[Leikela37]

Thank you!! It worked for me.  When I checked, "Let printer determin colors" the rest of the options in Color Management were grayed out so I think the first one is the key.  I also checked off Discolored backgroun correction.  I'm not sure which one or if both fixed the issue for me, but my form printed normal.

[Jennie Bayliss]

It looks like changing the advanced printing settings sorts the issue out. YAY!

Unfortunately, I don't have this option. I suspect it is because I use the free-to-use version. Is anyone else in the same situation? If this is a free-version glitch - I hope someone at Adobe can help us 🤞🏻

[Jorge36468716ts45]

Same problem! In my case, unchecking the "printing as grayscale" solves the issue, at least from my home printer, although I have had the same problem elsewhere. But this certainly needs a fix from Adobe. I have just updated Adobe Reader on my Mac but the problem persists.