Fix: Microsoft Print to PDF Missing in Windows 10/11

Microsoft Print to PDF is an integrated printer that prints a web page, a JPEG image, a Word file, and some other files as PDF. This is a built-in printer that comes pre-installed on your computer. However, there have been instances where the Microsoft Print to PDF printer has been missing.

Because of this issue, users struggle a lot while downloading PDFs. Usually, this option could be disabled by the user unintentionally, or the problem could be that the printer drivers are not up-to-date.

There are plenty of methods to fix this issue, which include reinstalling the printer, setting it as default, updating the printer drivers, and more.

I’ll first write a short description of how these methods will help us, and then we’ll move on to the steps.

How do I get Microsoft Print to PDF back?

1. Re-Enable Microsoft Print to PDF Option: If the printer was disabled, then it’s obvious that it won’t work. Besides, if there is a glitch in the system, it can also affect the printer. In such cases, it’s better to disable and then re-enable the printer.
2. Make Microsoft Print to PDF the Default Printer: If you have more than one printer on your system, then set Microsoft Print to PDF as the default one so there are no problems for Windows to decide which printer to select.
3. Add the Microsoft Print to PDF Printer Manually: If, for some reason, the printer isn’t added to your system, then you won’t be able to print the files as PDF. For this, add the printer manually to your PC and retry downloading a PDF.
4. Change the Startup Type of the Print Spooler Service: The Print Spooler service basically manages all things related to printers and prints. Make sure the service is set to the automatic startup type so it starts as soon as you power on your PC.
5. Update Printer Drivers: Outdated printer drivers are one of the major reasons why printers don’t function properly on a PC. Therefore, make sure you always keep them updated.
6. Update your Windows: If nothing else works, then check if you’re running an older Windows version and whether there’s an update available. If there is, then install it and check the printer.

1. Re-Enable Microsoft Print to PDF Option

1. Click on Start.
2. Type Control Panel.
3. Go to Programs and Features.

4. Select Turn Windows Features on or off.

5. Look for Microsoft Print to PDF.
6. Tick it if it’s unticked.

7. If it was already ticked, then untick it and select OK.
8. Now click Windows features on or off again.
9. Tick Microsoft Print to PDF again and check if the printer shows up or is still missing.
10. If it’s missing, then reboot your PC and check again.

2. Make Microsoft Print to PDF the Default Printer

1. Press Win + R and type Control Printers in the Run dialog box.

2. Right-click on Microsoft Print to PDF.
3. Click Set as default printer.

4. Restart your computer.

3. Add the Microsoft Print to PDF Printer Manually

1. Select Start and type Control Panel.
2. Click on Devices and Printers.

3. Right-click on Microsoft Print to PDF.
4. Select Remove device.

5. Now click on Add a Printer.

6. Select ‘The printer I want isn’t listed’.

7. Click Add a local printer…..with manual settings.

8. Choose PORTPROMPT: (Local Port) and click Next.

9. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturer tab, and then select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.

10. Now select Next and Finish.

If the Microsoft Print to PDF printer isn’t available in the list, then follow the steps below to get it back:

1. Type printui.exe /s in the Run dialog box by pressing the Win + R keys.
2. Go to the Drivers tab.
3. Click Microsft Print to PDF and select Remove.

4. Select Remove Driver Only and click OK.

5. Click Yes on the next prompt.
6. Now type printui.exe /im in the Run dialog box.

7. Select the manual settings printer option and PORTPROMPT (Local Port).
8. Now click Windows Update and wait for 5-15 minutes.
9. Once the process is completed, Microsoft Print to PDF will appear in the list.

10. Continue with the installation and then check if Microsoft Print to PDF is missing or not.

4. Change the Startup Type of the Print Spooler Service

1. Press Win + R and type services.msc.
2. Select any service and press P.
3. Now look for Print Spooler, right-click on it, and select Properties.

4. Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic.

5. If Print Spooler isn’t already running, then right-click on it and click on Start.

5. Update Printer Drivers

1. Type Device Manager in the Start menu.
2. Expand the Printer Queues section.
3. Right-click on the Printer driver.
4. Select Update driver.

5. Select the automatic update option and wait for Windows to install the update.

6. Update your Windows

1. Press the Win + I keys.
2. Now select Update & Security in Settings.

3. Check for updates and install if the latest version is available.

If none of these fixes helped you, then feel free to contact Microsoft Support or create a post on the Microsoft forums. The developers will get back to you and help you solve the issue.