How to Solve Microsoft Print to PDF Missing? (5 Solutions)

Microsoft Print to PDF is a useful feature introduced in Windows 11/10, which lets users create a printable PDF in the digital paper layout from any of Microsoft's printable applications, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. It allows you to quickly print/save a file, .jpg image, or web page as a PDF with just a few simple clicks. This feature comes built-in in Windows 11/10, but many users are seen complaining about Microsoft Print to PDF missing in Windows 11/10. So, if you are also facing a similar issue, then this guide is for you. Here we will discuss all the solutions that can fix the Microsoft Print to PDF missing problem. So, let's jump right to it!

Part 1. 5 Solutions to Fix "Microsoft Print to PDF" Missing Problem

There are multiple solutions to fix the Microsoft Print to PDF missing problem. So, follow the solutions one by one until one of them fixes the problem.

Solution 1: Enable/Reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF Feature

Microsoft Print to PDF is a built-in feature, so if you don't see it in print options, then it is likely that your Microsoft Print to PDF feature is disabled somehow. So, the best way is to enable/reinstall the Print to PDF feature from "Windows Features". Follow the below steps to enable/reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF feature:

• Type "Windows Features" in the search box and open the best match option.
• Look for the "Microsoft Print to PDF" feature in it.
• If the checkbox of Print to PDF is "unchecked", then tick the checkbox and click "OK". It will enable the feature, and you can use the feature now.
• If the checkbox is already "checked", uncheck it and click "OK".
• Reboot your PC.
• After reboot, go back to Windows Features, tick the checkbox next to "Microsoft Print to PDF", and click "OK". It will reinstall the feature.

This way, you can enable/reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF feature and most likely fix the problem.

Solution 2: Manually Reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF

If you are unable to resolve the Microsoft Print to PDF missing issue by reinstalling it from the Windows Features window, then you should manually reinstall Print to PDF from the "Devices and Printers" window. Follow the below steps to manually reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF:

• Type "printers and scanners" in the search box and open the best match option.
• Select "Microsoft Print to PDF" and click "Remove".

• Click "Add device" from the top right side of the window.
• Click "Add a new device manually" next to "The printer that I want isn't listed".
• Select "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings" and click "Next".
• Select "FILE: (Print to File)" and click "Next".

• In the "Install the printer device" window, choose "Microsoft" under the "Manufacturer" section and choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" under the "Printers" section. Afterward, click "Next".

• Provide the name to the printer if you want and click "OK".

This way, you can manually reinstall Microsoft Print to PDF feature. Now open the file and see if the Print to PDF option shows up.

Solution 3: Update the Microsoft Print to PDF Driver from the Device Manager

Microsoft keeps rolling out drivers and Windows updates regularly. So, it is important to make sure that your drivers are up to date so that no outdated code might cause trouble with the system. Therefore, follow the below steps to update the Microsoft Print to PDF Driver from the Device Manager:

• Type "device manager" in the search box and open the best match option.
• Expand the "Print queues" list.
• Right-click "Microsoft Print to PDF" and select "Update driver".
• Click "Search automatically for drivers".

Afterward, Windows will check and update the driver to the up-to-date version. If it says the driver is already up-to-date, then proceed with the next solutions.

Solution 4: Disable and Enable Microsoft Print to PDF Feature from Command Prompt

If the above three solutions are unable to resolve the Microsoft Print to PDF missing issue, then the next way is to disable and enable it from Command Prompt. Follow the below steps to fix Microsoft Print to PDF feature from Command Prompt:

• Type "cmd" in the search box, right-click the "Command Prompt" app and choose "Run as administrator".
• Type the command "net stop spooler" and hit Enter to stop the print spooler service.
• Type the command line "dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features" /NoRestart" and hit Enter to disable the Print to PDF feature.

If the commands are executed correctly, then you have successfully disabled and enabled the Print to PDF feature. Afterward, open any file and see if the feature appears in the printer's list.

Solution 5: Disable and Enable Microsoft Print to PDF from Windows PowerShell

Like Command Prompt, you can also use Windows PowerShell to disable and enable Microsoft Print to PDF feature. So, if the Command Prompt commands fail to fix the problem, then follow the below steps to disable and enable Microsoft Print to PDF feature from Windows PowerShell:

• Type "powershell" in the search box, right-click the "Windows PowerShell" option, and choose "Run as administrator".
• Type the command "Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -online -FeatureName Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features" and hit Enter to disable the Print to PDF feature.
• Type the command "Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -online -FeatureName Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features" and hit Enter to enable the Print to PDF feature.

Once done, close the PowerShell window and test out if the Print to PDF feature works now.

Also Read: How to Fix "Can't Print PDF" Issue

Part 2. A One-Stop Solution to Edit and Organize Your PDF Files

Now that we have fixed the Microsoft Print to PDF missing problem, it's time to enhance your PDF files with a one-stop solution to edit and organize PDF files called UPDF.

UPDF is an all-in-one PDF editing tool that provides users with all the editing features they need to customize PDF files easily and instantly. Some of its top-notch editing features include editing text, images, backgrounds, and other elements of PDFs, annotating PDFs with comments, underlines, and highlights, cropping PDFs, and a lot more. You can download UPDF here and test all these features mentioned here.

Besides providing a wide range of editing features, UPDF also allows you to organize your PDF files utilizing UPDF Cloud. After uploading PDF files to UPDF Cloud, you can view, comment, and edit those files across computers, smartphones, and tablets from anywhere. In short, UPDF is the ultimate PDF editor and organizer for effortless editing and file management.

UPDF has many other features, you can see all its features by reading this UPDF review article from Laptopmedia. Additionally, UPDF now has a big discount, you can upgrade to the pro version with a huge discount.

Part 3. FAQs About Microsoft Print to PDF

Q1. Can I use Microsoft Print to PDF in Windows 7?

No, you cannot use Microsoft Print to PDF in Windows 7. This feature is only available for Windows 10 and 11 users. However, if you want to create PDFs of files from Microsoft printable applications, you can use the "Save as PDF" feature.

Q2. How do I make Microsoft Print to PDF default?

To set Microsoft Print to PDF as the default printer, type "Printers and scanners" in the search box and open it. Click on the "Microsoft Print to PDF" option and then click "Set as default". If you don't see this option, go back to the "Printers and scanners" window, turn off "Let Windows manage my default printer", and then make Microsoft Print to PDF the default printer.

Q3. PDF files don't download anymore, why? 

If your PDF files are not downloading, then one possible reason is that you are using commas or other special notations in the file name while saving. If that's the case, then Print to PDF will face trouble converting files into PDFs. So, make sure you are not using commas or other special notations, and then try to download PDF files again.

Conclusion

Microsoft Print to PDF feature provides a quick way to create a printable PDF file from any Microsoft printable application. However, malfunctions can occur at any time. So, if you are unable to use the Print to PDF feature, then the above solutions will resolve the Microsoft Print to PDF missing issue. However, if you are looking for more enhanced PDF editing and accessibility capabilities, then UPDF is the best choice for you. Its user-friendly interface, feature-rich editing, and cloud accessibility functionalities make it the ideal PDF editor. Download UPDF and use it now.