Framemaker 2020 can't find PDF printer instance

[Jorge Saafigueroa]

Using FrameMaker 2020 with Acrobat DC.

Trying to generate a PDF file from a book.

Getting the following mesage:  "FrameMaker could not find Adobe PDF printer instance, Which must be installed to execute Save as PDF command."

Acrobat DC and Distiller are installed.

Unable to install driver manually.

Any suggestions?

Tanks,

[Winfried Reng]

Hi Jorge,

Is Adobe PDF in your list of printers?

When you search this Adobe FrameMaker for the keywords "PDF printer", then you will find a number of threads which deal with exactly your issue.

Can you check, if one of these solves your issue?

For example:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/framemaker-discussions/framemaker-could-not-find-adobe-pdf-printer/m-...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/framemaker-discussions/frame-2017-cannot-print-to-pdf-or-ps-or-printe...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/framemaker-discussions/how-to-reinstall-pdf-printer/m-p/10676574

Best regards

Winfried

[Jorge Saafigueroa · Accepted solution]

Issue solved:

Issue:

Verify you have the PDF Printer loaded:

If not Loaded:

https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/acrobat/kb/unable-to-install-pdf-printer-certificate-rev...

Download the driver zip file, extract and load the printer using the Adobepdf.inf file in the archive.

Once the printer is loaded, try FM again.  If the problem persists, Try the following:

Remove Adobe Acrobat DC:

Try FM again.  If the problem persists, reload distiller.

How to reload distiller:

(If you have Adobe Acrobat installed, remove it first.)

Follow the steps in this link: Missing Distiller error on saving a document as PDF in FrameMaker (adobe.com)

NOTE:  In step 8 you might have to point to Program Files instead of Program Files (X86) if FrameMaker is loaded under Program Files.

Try FM again.

Reboot may be necessary.

Conclusion: 

Missing Driver and Acrobat DC were causing these issues.

I installed Acrobat DC afterwards and it broke the save as PDF utility. 

[Jorge Saafigueroa]

One more note.

Uninstalling FrameMaker, Installating Acrobat and Reinstallating FrameMaker solved the final conflict between FM and Acrobat.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

Yes, that's always been the order - get Acrobat in first, then load FM and either explicitly tell it not to load its "headless" version of Acrobat or hope that it detects that Acrobat is already present & skip that internally.

[Anny_C]

Just to double check, is it ok to have adove reader DC or I need to install the adobe acrobat?

[Anny_C]

sorry, I mean *Adobe reader DC

[Winfried Reng]

Hi Anny,

FrameMaker 2020 creates PDF files via the Publish command in the File menu. FM 2020 has its own PDF engine, so a headless Acrobat Distiller is not needed and not installed any more.

When you want to open a PDF file, you need a PDF viewer. It does not matter which one. FrameMaker does not need Acrobat Pro/Standard/Reader.

Only when you want to _print_ to a PDF printer, you will need the Adobe PDF printer. As far as I know, it is installed only with Acrobat Standard or Pro, not with Acrobat Reader.

Best regards

Winfried

[Anny_C]

Hi Winfried,

Thanks for the feedback. My problem is that I cannot save as/publish to pdf files (the system showed the same warning message as above), but I can use the print function with the "microsoft print to pdf" printer. I tried it again on my colleague's comupter who has the acrobat installed, and it works. That is why I guess it has something to do with the Adobe reader.

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

@Anny_C are you using FM2020? If so, the new Publish and Save As PDF engine does not require an Adobe PDF printer instance to be present. However, the Print to Adobe PDF route DOES require that Adobe PDF printer instance. Reader has nothing to do with any of the processes.

[Anny_C]

Hi Jeff,

yes I am using the FM2020 version, but I still receive the message that the pdf printer cannot be found when I use either the "publish" or "save as" function. 🤔

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

You'd better talk to the FM folks - see https://helpx.adobe.com/contact/enterprise-support.other.html#framemaker for your Adobe Support options. I'd recommend using the tcssup@adobe.com e-mail address as it reaches a team dedicated to Technical Communication Suite products including FrameMaker.

[LinSims]

You'll run into issues if you have both Acrobat DC and Acrobat Reader installed, as the programs conflict with each other. If you have both installed and you need to create PDF files, uninstall both programs, then reinstall Acrobat DC.

[Two-fer]

I had this same message pop up out-of-the-blue today even though I have not updated any software for a while.  (I am running Acrobat Pro Version 2024 and FM Version 17.0.2.431). (However,  I had noticed over the past week or so that Acrobat had occasionally been stalling or wouldn't start up even when I clicked on the icon, and I would have to restart the computer). Anyway, I restarted the computer but the same message came up again in FM,  so then I opened Acrobat and went to Help-->Repair Installation (I didn't even know this was a  menu option until today).  After it had done its magic (it took about 20~30 seconds), I then closed Acrobat and FM  and then restarted FM and successfully created a PDF.  Hopefully this may help someone in a similar situation.

[Julia31139235kp4e]

Thank you! Your solution worked for me after at least an hour of researching, uninstalling and reinstalling Frame (to no avail), and trying to manually add the Adobe printer.

[Two-fer]

Glad it worked for you! 😃

[stevec28338637]

Worked for me too, you're a lifesaver.