10 Common PDF Printing Problems & How To Fix Them

Printing a PDF should be simple, until it isn’t. One file prints perfectly. The next comes out blank, cuts off margins, drops text, or sends your printer into an endless loop.

Most PDF printing problems come down to a few common causes: Scaling issues, font handling, viewer settings, or how the file was created in the first place.

Below, we break this down simply. For each issue, you’ll see what the problem looks like, why it happens, and the fixes that usually solve it. On Mac, Windows, Chrome. Plus, we’ll show you how to prepare for better printing with Smallpdf.

Quick PDF Printing Troubleshooting Checklist

Try these steps first to fix a lot of PDF printing problems without deeper digging.

• Restart your printer, then restart your computer.
• Confirm the printer is online and set as the default printer.
• Download the PDF to your device before printing (don’t print from a web preview).
• Try a different PDF viewer (for example, Preview on Mac or Microsoft Edge on Windows).
• Check paper size, orientation, and scaling (“Fit” is a good first try).
• Clear the print queue, then resend the print job.
• Print a different PDF to confirm the printer works.

If you still get errors, jump to the matching problem below.

How To Troubleshoot PDF Printing Problems: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm It’s a PDF Issue, Not a Printer Issue

Print a simple non-PDF file (like a web page). If that fails too, focus on the printer connection, queue, or driver before blaming the PDF.

Step 2: Download the PDF and Print From a Dedicated Viewer

Save the PDF to your device and open it in a viewer outside your browser preview. Browser viewers can mis-handle layers, fonts, and scaling.

Step 3: Fix Page Setup Before You Retry

In the print dialog, verify paper size (A4 vs. Letter), orientation, and scaling. Start with “Fit to page,” then test “Actual size” if you need exact dimensions.

Step 4: Flatten the PDF If Layout, Layers, or Forms Look Odd

Flattening merges layered content into a single layer, which often prints more predictably. Smallpdf Flatten PDF does this online, then you print the flattened copy.

Step 5: Reduce File Complexity if Printing Is Slow or Fails Mid-Job

If the PDF is huge, compress it first, then print again. Compression can help older printers that choke on large images or complex vector pages.

Problem 1: PDF Won’t Print at All

You click “Print,” and nothing happens. No pages, no meaningful error, sometimes just a stuck job.

Here’s how to fix it:

Start with the regular checks that actually work.

• Confirm the printer is powered on and connected (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB).
• Print a different PDF. If that works, the original file is the problem.
• Clear the print queue, then retry.
• Update your printer driver from the manufacturer’s support site.

If it only fails from one app, switch viewers and try again.

Problem 2: PDF Prints Blank Pages

The printer runs, paper comes out, and the pages are empty.

Here’s how to fix it:

Blank output usually comes from rendering issues.

• Download the PDF and print it from Preview (Mac) or Microsoft Edge (Windows).
• In your print dialog, look for an advanced option like “Print as image.” Use it if it exists.
• Flatten the PDF, then print the flattened copy.

If the file is a scan, try re-saving or re-exporting it from the source app, then print again.

Problem 3: PDF Prints Too Light, Faded, or Low Contrast

Text looks washed out. Thin lines disappear. Grays look faint.

Here’s how to fix it:

The problem is often the settings, not the PDF.

• Switch off “Draft” mode and pick a higher quality setting.
• Turn off “Eco” or toner-saving modes.
• Print in grayscale only if you truly need it.
• If the PDF uses transparency or light overlays, flatten it first, then print.

If it’s still faint, confirm ink or toner levels and run a nozzle or print-head check.

Problem 4: Missing Fonts or Garbled Characters

Letters turn into symbols, spacing breaks, or some words vanish entirely.

Here’s how to fix it:

Font issues usually come from unembedded fonts or missing glyphs.

• Ask for a fresh export from the sender, with fonts embedded.
• Try printing from another viewer (some handle font fallback better).
• Flatten the PDF if the text is part of a complex layer stack.

If you created the PDF from Word or Google Docs, exporting again often fixes it, especially if you changed fonts right before saving.

Problem 5: Images or Graphics Print Distorted

Photos shift, logos pixelate, or shapes look wrong compared to the screen.

Here’s how to fix it:

Distortion can come from transparency, clipping masks, or complex vector art.

• Try “Print as image” if your print dialog supports it.
• Flatten the PDF, then print the flattened copy.
• If only one page is broken, split the PDF and print that page alone to isolate the issue.

Problem 6: Content Gets Cut Off (Margins, Headers, or Full Pages)

The right edge disappears. Footers get chopped. The page prints “zoomed in.”

Here’s how to fix it:

This is nearly always a scaling or paper size mismatch.

• Match paper size to the PDF page size (A4 vs Letter).
• Try “Fit to page” or “Shrink oversized pages.”
• Confirm orientation (Portrait vs Landscape).
• Turn off borderless printing unless you need it.

If the PDF came from a spreadsheet, re-export it with a print area set, and confirm the scaling is not set to something odd like 110%.

Problem 7: File Is Too Large and Printing Fails or Freezes

Printing starts, then stalls. The printer memory fills up. Pages crawl out slowly.

Here’s how to fix it:

Big PDFs can overwhelm printer memory, especially with high-res images.

• Compress the PDF, then print the smaller version.
• Split the PDF into smaller chunks and print in sections.
• If you print large files daily, a printer with more memory helps.

Compression is also a good sanity check. If a compressed copy prints fine, the original was simply too heavy.

Problem 8: Print Queue or Spooler Gets Stuck

Jobs sit in the queue forever, or they show “Error” and won’t clear.

Here’s how to fix it:

• Cancel the job, then restart the printer.
• On Windows, clear the print queue, then restart the Print Spooler service.
• Reinstall or update the printer driver if spooling fails repeatedly.

If you see the same stuck job return, delete it, restart, then print a one-page test PDF first.

Problem 9: Printing Problems on Mac

You get blank pages, missing elements, or odd scaling, even when the PDF looks fine.

Here’s how to fix it:

• Open the PDF in Preview and print again.
• Update macOS and your printer driver.
• If Preview struggles with a complex file, flatten it first, then print.

If a PDF is form-heavy, flattening the PDF can prevent form fields from shifting during printing.

Problem 10: Chrome PDF Printing Problems

Chrome prints a layout that doesn’t match what you see, or images disappear.

Here’s how to fix it:

• Download the PDF and print it from a dedicated viewer instead of the Chrome preview.
• In Chrome’s print dialog, check “Fit” and confirm margins in the preview.
• If the PDF includes layers or transparency, flatten it first, then print.

Chrome is great for quick viewing. For stubborn print jobs, a dedicated viewer is usually more reliable.

More High-Value PDF Printing Issues Worth Checking

These are less common, but they waste a lot of time when they hit.

1. Password or Permissions Block Printing

If the PDF is protected, it may allow viewing but block printing. Use the password if you have it, or ask the sender for a print-enabled copy.

2. Mixed Page Sizes in One PDF

A PDF with both A4 and Letter pages can create random cutoffs. Print one page at a time, or split the file by page size.

3. Duplex Printing Flips the Wrong Way

If two-sided pages come out upside down, switch between “Flip on long edge” and “Flip on short edge.”

4. Colors Print Wrong

If branding colors look off, disable “Save toner,” try a different color profile option, or print from another viewer.

5. Barcodes or Fine Lines Don’t Scan

Print at “Actual size” and use higher quality settings. Scaling can break barcode readability fast.

Advanced Fixes for Stubborn PDF Printing Problems

If you keep hitting the same PDF printing problems, it helps to make a print-ready copy first.

1. Flatten Before You Print

Smallpdf Flatten PDF merges content into a single layer, which can reduce surprises with transparency, form fields, and layered graphics.

2. Compress Without Wrecking Readability

If file size or printer memory is the issue, compress first using Compress PDF. Then print the smaller version.

3. Text Box Rotation Expectations in Smallpdf

Right now, Smallpdf Edit PDF doesn’t support directly rotating individual text boxes. We cover simple workarounds, like adding a new text box or rotating the whole page instead.

We’re continuing to expand editing controls, so this is one to watch if text layout is part of your print prep.

Get Your PDF Printing Clean Again

Most PDF printing problems come down to three things: page setup, rendering, and file complexity. Start with the quick checklist, then match your symptom to the right fix.

If a PDF keeps acting up, make a print-ready copy first. Flatten it to remove layers, compress it to reduce strain on your printer, then print the cleaned version.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix a PDF printing problem?

Start with paper size, scaling, and printing from a downloaded file in a dedicated viewer. If the layout still breaks, flatten the PDF and print the flattened copy.

Why does a PDF not print correctly?

Most issues come from mismatched page size, fonts that don’t render the same across viewers, or layered design elements. Switching viewers and flattening usually clears it.

How do I fix a Print to PDF error?

Check that your “Print to PDF” printer is enabled, then restart the queue and try again. If it only fails for one file, compress or flatten the PDF and retry.

How do I repair a corrupt PDF file?

Redownload the PDF first. If it still fails, try opening it in another viewer and exporting a new copy, or ask the sender to resend the original source.

How do I make an unreadable PDF readable?

If the text is blurry because it’s a scan, you may need OCR to extract readable text. If it’s a layout issue, flattening can at least make printing consistent.

Can I rotate a text box in Smallpdf before printing?

Not directly at the moment. The common workaround is to add a new text box or rotate the page on which the text sits, then print the updated PDF.

Is it safe to upload a PDF to Smallpdf while troubleshooting?

Yes. We secure file transfers with TLS encryption, and we’re ISO 27001 certified. Files are automatically removed from our servers after one hour for most tools.