print to pdf not working

This usually means Microsoft Print to PDF is selected instead of a physical printer, or the Microsoft Print to PDF feature is missing in Windows 11.

Try these steps:

1. In the app, go to File > Print.
2. Check the selected printer.
   • If Microsoft Print to PDF is selected, Windows will ask for a save location instead of sending the job to a real printer.
   • Select the intended printer instead.
3. If the goal is to save as PDF but Microsoft Print to PDF is missing, enable it:
   • Press Windows + R
   • Type optionalfeatures.exe and press Enter
   • Enable Microsoft Print to PDF
   • Select OK
   • Restart Windows if prompted
4. If the printer still does not appear, check whether the feature was affected by a recent Windows update:
   • Open optional features and try enabling Microsoft Print to PDF there.
   • Or open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
     1. Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features
     2. Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features

Note: the final PowerShell command can return 0x800f0922 on affected systems.

If this started after installing KB5055627, Windows 11 may have a known issue where Microsoft Print to PDF disappears from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. That issue is addressed in KB5060829.

If printing always opens a save dialog even when trying to print normally, also verify the selected printer is not Print to PDF or Print to file.

• May 27, 2025—KB5061977 (OS Build 26100.4066) Out-of-band
• Fix printing problems in Word, Excel, or other apps
• I Can't Save to PDF in the print option. - Microsoft Q&A
• Can't print - Microsoft Q&A