A PDF won't print, or prints the wrong size
The printer ignores your PDF, prints it tiny or cropped, or produces garbled pages — while other documents may print fine. Adobe's own troubleshooting starts with the printer, then works through the reader's print options.
Does this sound familiar?
- Nothing happens when I try to print a PDF
- The PDF prints very small or with the edges cut off
- Printed pages come out blank or garbled
- Other documents print fine but this PDF does not
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Method for this problem
Fix common PDF printing problems
Following Adobe's own troubleshooting order: first prove the printer and paper are fine, then open the PDF in a proper reader from your hard drive, then use the reader's print options — 'Print as image' for files that print garbled or not at all, and the Fit scaling option for wrong sizes — and keep the reader up to date.
Source: Official documentationTesting: Not team-testedReports: none reviewed yet
Reviewed 9 Nov 2026
Applies to: Windows or Mac computers with Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader; A printer connected to the computer, with paper loaded