Printing PDFs on macOS Fails

Issue/Question

When I try to print a PDF on my Mac using Adobe Reader/Acrobat or Google Chrome the print job fails. 

Environment

  • macOS

Cause

When printing a PDF using Adobe Reader or Google Chrome, the System Print Dialog is bypassed, causing printers that require User Authentication Codes to not receive the codes, thus causing the print job to fail. 

Resolution

Printing in Chrome

  1. Download the attached file, Chrome System Print Fix.zip.
  2. Open the .Zip file. 
  3. Double-click the unzipped file to run it.
     Note: You may have a message that pops up stating that the app cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer. Please follow these instructions to bypass the warning. 
  4. Chrome will automatically close; when you re-open Chrome your windows should restore. 
  5. Printing in Chrome will now use the System Dialog
  6. Configure printing preferences as desired. 
  7. Click Print.

Printing in Adobe Reader / Adobe Acrobat

  1. Open the file you wish to print in Adobe Reader / Acrobat.
  2. Click File.
  3. Click the button labeled Printer...
  4. Click OK on the message to agree to use the System Dialog to print. 
     Note: There is an option to select to remember this decision so that you are not asked in the future. You can choose to select this option if you do not want to see the prompt every time you access this option. 
  5. Adjust printing settings as desired. 
  6. Click Print and you will be returned to the Adobe Print Dialog. 
  7. Click Print again to send the job to the printer. 
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