Print to PDF Not Working on Mac (macOS Sequoia/Sonoma)

Key Takeaway: When facing the issue of print to PDF not working on Mac, troubleshooting steps such as restarting the Mac, checking macOS version, verifying printer preferences, reconfiguring printing settings, ensuring application preferences, monitoring storage space, validating file permissions, and addressing third-party software conflicts can help resolve the problem. Contacting Apple Support may be necessary if the issue persists despite these efforts.



Are you trying to save a document as PDF on Mac and suddenly find it not working? This situation can be nerve-racking when macOS doesn’t specify the reason behind it. If you frequently keep receiving the same problem, read along to resolve print to PDF not working on Mac.  

However, there is no way to pinpoint a specific reason for this error. It could be due to a bug within the firmware or with a specific app. Thus, considering all the possible causes, we have curated a list of troubleshooting tips to fix it. So, without any ado, let’s get started. 

Troubleshooting Tips: Print to PDF not working

Here are eight ways to fix the print-to-pdf not working on Mac running the latest macOS version.

Solution #1. Restart your Mac computer

There might be a minor issue within the firmware causing specific issues, including print to Portable Document Format not working on Mac. To do so, click on the Apple Menu from the left top corner of the screen, and from the resulting dropdown, select Restart… > Restart button from the prompted menu. 

However, if the issue continues, you must try force-restarting the Mac. For this, press the Control + Command + Power Buttons until the Mac computer shuts down. Hopefully, your problem will be resolved. But if not, move forward to the next solution.

Solution #2. Check macOS Version

There is a high chance that your Mac running an outdated version can run into various issues, including print as pdf not working on Mac. Thus, you need to ensure that your Mac computer is running the latest macOS. For this, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Go to the Apple Logo Menu on your Mac computer.
Step 2: Select System Settings… from the dropdown menu.

go to Apple Logo and click on System Settings On Mac

Step 3: Click on General from the left sidebar.
Step 4:
Choose Software Update from the right side.

Click General now select  Software Update On Mac

Step 5: Now, let your Mac check for updates…
Step 6: If available, click on Install Now. Hopefully, the problem with your Mac will resolved. But if not, move forward to the next solution.

Select Checking For Updates.. On Mac

Solution #3. Verify Printer Preferences

If you’re trying to save as PDF… ensure that the print preferences are perfectly configured on your Mac. For this, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: Go to the open PDF Download right click in open with tap preview on Mac.

Open PDF Click Open With Tap Preview On Mac

Step 2: Click on the File from the Mac menu bar.
Step 3:
Select Print or Press (Command + P) keys as a Keyboard shortcut.

Click File Select Print On Mac

Step 4: In the print dropdown, select the PDF option in the lower-left corner.
Step 5: Choose Save as PDF… from the resulting dropdown menu.

Tap PDF Click Save As PDF On Mac

Solution #4. Reconfigure the Printing Settings

You came here, which means the issue continues on your Mac. Right now, the only that you must give a try is reconfiguring the printer settings. To do so, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Go to the Apple Menu from the top left corner of the Mac screen. 
Step 2: Select System Settings…

Go to Apple Logo Tap System Settings On Mac

Step 3: Scroll down the sidebar to select Printers & Scanners.
Step 4: Right-click in the list of printers and select Reset Printing System…
Step 5: After this, re-add the printer and re-try printing the PDF once again. 

Click Printers & Scanners Select Printer Choose Reset Printing System On Mac

That’s It!

Solution #5. Verify Application Preferences

If the issue lies within the particular application, for instance, a text editor or a browser, cross-verify the application’s printing settings to ensure that print as PDF works perfectly.

Solution #6. Check Your Mac Computer Storage

Ensure your macOS device has sufficient storage space, but if not, it could lead to certain issues, including Print to PDF not working on Mac. To verify the storage space, follow the steps below. 

Step 1: Go to the Apple Menu located at the top left corner of Mac.
Step 2: Click on System Settings…

Open Apple Logo Tap System Settings On Mac

Step 3: Choose General from the left panel.
Step 4: Click on Storage from the right side.

Tap General Click Storage On Mac

Step 5: Select All Volumes.
Step 6: Move your cursor to each volume to check the storage acquired on your Mac.

Select Storage Avaliable On Mac

Solution #7. Verify File Permission

Is their file permission? If not, you won’t be able to print it as a PDF. So ensure that you have all necessary permission to save files to the location you’re willing to save. In case it’s a certain folder, ensure you write to it. 

Solution #8. Verify Third-party software conflict

In rare cases, third-party software can interrupt a specific PDF process. As a solution, temporarily disabling it or uninstalling the printer or PDF Editors can resolve the problem.

Final Verdict!

That’s it, folks! This is how you can resolve print to PDF not working on Mac. But if the problem continues on your device, then it’s time to contact the Apple Support Team. They are a dedicated team of experts that can help to diagnose the reason behind it and accordingly offer you a solution.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

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