{"id":66929,"date":"2026-11-11T20:46:49","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T20:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/pdf24-creator-troubleshooting\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T20:46:49","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T20:46:49","slug":"pdf24-creator-troubleshooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/pdf24-creator-troubleshooting\/","title":{"rendered":"PDF24 Creator: common problems and solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This page lists the problems with PDF24 Creator that are reported to us most often \u2013 each with the message as you see it, the cause and the way to solve it. Search this page for your error message or error code with Ctrl+F, or jump to the matching case from the contents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#version\">First: which version do you have?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Installation<\/strong>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#printer-setup\">\"The PDF printer could not be set up\" (Local Port, error 216)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#windows-version\">Installing on Windows 7, 8 or XP, ARM processor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#antivirus\">Antivirus blocks the installation or update<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>PDF printer<\/strong>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#printer-missing\">The printer \"PDF24\" is missing from the printer list<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#update-11-33\">Since the update to 11.33.0 the PDF printer no longer prints (Windows 10)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#print-queue\">Print jobs are stuck in the print queue (Error - Printing)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#service\">\"The PDF24 Windows service is not started\", error 1053 or 1920<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#error-3003\">Error 0x00000bbb or 3003 with the driverless printer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#printer-type\">Driverless or classic PDF printer: paper size, Remote Desktop, text not selectable<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#prn-file\">Windows asks for a file name when printing (.prn)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#where-is-the-pdf\">No PDF is saved after printing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#network-printer\">A shared PDF printer in the network does not print<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#autocad\">AutoCAD is slow with the PDF24 printer<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Program start, Toolbox and Reader<\/strong>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#does-not-start\">PDF24 Reader, Toolbox or Launcher does not start (even after reinstalling)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#toolbox-webview2\">The Toolbox stays white or does not start (WebView2)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#crash\">A PDF24 program crashes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#slow\">PDF24 is very slow on some computers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#reader-preview\">PDFs do not open in PDF24 Reader, no preview in File Explorer<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Updates<\/strong>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#updates\">The update does not come, needs admin rights or cannot reach the server<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Error messages when saving and converting<\/strong>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#save-error\">\"The file could not be saved\"<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#convert\">Word, Excel or other files cannot be converted to PDF<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#java-memory\">\"There is insufficient memory for the Java Runtime Environment to continue\"<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#not-listed\">Your problem is not listed?<\/a><\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"version\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">First: which version do you have?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the errors on this page are fixed in newer versions. So check your version first: in PDF24 Creator under \"Help\" &gt; \"About PDF24 Creator\", or in the menu of the PDF24 icon in the taskbar under \"About PDF24 Creator\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current version is always available on the <a href=\"https:\/\/tools.pdf24.org\/en\/creator\">PDF24 Creator<\/a> page. Simply install it over your existing installation \u2013 your settings are kept. Installing requires administrator rights. Older versions are in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/listVersions.php\">list of versions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"printer-setup\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\"The PDF printer could not be set up\" (Local Port, error 216)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>At the end of the installation: \"The PDF printer could not be set up.\" with details, or the printer \"PDF24\" is simply missing after the installation.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>The log file <code>pdfPrnInst.log<\/code> in the PDF24 program folder (usually <code>C:\\Program Files\\PDF24<\/code>) contains, for example, \"Local port could not be installed\" or \"Could not add PS printer driver: 0 216\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Since version 11.33.0 the setup names the cause itself: \"The Windows port monitor \"Local Port\" is missing, so no printer port can be created. \u2026\"<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Local port could not be installed:<\/strong> the port monitor \"Local Port\" is missing in Windows. Some cleaning tools or a damaged print spooler remove its registry entry. Then no local printer port can be created on the computer at all, not for other printers either.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Error 216:<\/strong> the Windows folder <code>spool\\drivers\\x64<\/code> contains old 32-bit files PSCRIPT5.DLL and PS5UI.DLL from another program. Windows takes them instead of the right ones and rejects the printer driver.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Error 216: install the current version. Since version 11.33.0 the setup brings the right files.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Local Port: open a command prompt as administrator and restore the entry:<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">``<code> reg add \"HKLM\\SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\Print\\Monitors\\Local Port\" \/v Driver \/t REG_SZ \/d localspl.dll \/f net stop spooler net start spooler <\/code>``<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Then install PDF24 again.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the log says something else, send us <code>pdfPrnInst.log<\/code> (see <a href=\"#not-listed\">Your problem is not listed?<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In detail in the manual: <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#1315-the-pdf-printer-cannot-be-installed-local-port-could-not-be-installed-what-to-do\">The PDF printer cannot be installed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"windows-version\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Installing on Windows 7, 8 or XP, ARM processor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> the setup cannot be installed, or a PDF24 program crashes right at the start on an older Windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> PDF24 Creator needs Windows 10 or Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016 or later. Older versions of Windows are not supported; the setup refuses to install there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On Windows 7, 8 or XP, use the <a href=\"https:\/\/tools.pdf24.org\/en\/\">PDF24 Tools online<\/a> in your browser. More on the page <a href=\"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/pdf24-for-mac-linux-portable\/\">PDF24 for Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android and as a portable version<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Computers with an ARM processor: the normal setup says \"This computer has an ARM processor. Please install the ARM64 version of PDF24 Creator\". Download the ARM64 version from the link in the message.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"antivirus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antivirus blocks the installation or update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> the antivirus reports a threat during setup or update, or blocks it; reported was, for example, Sophos \"'Lockdown' exploit prevented in PDF24 Creator\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Download the setup yourself from the <a href=\"https:\/\/tools.pdf24.org\/en\/creator\">PDF24 Creator<\/a> page.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Check the digital signature: right-click the setup file &gt; \"Properties\" &gt; \"Digital Signatures\". It must say \"Geek Software GmbH\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Install the checked file. If the antivirus still blocks it, allow it there, or ask your administrator in a company.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"printer-missing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The printer \"PDF24\" is missing from the printer list<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\"PDF24\" is not in the printer list of your programs.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>In the PDF24 settings: \"The printer 'PDF24' is missing. PDF24 needs it to convert documents to PDF and to print to PDF from other programs.\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>When converting a file: \"The file '\u2026' could not be converted to PDF because the PDF24 PDF printer is missing. \u2026\"<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> the printer was deleted, deselected during installation or could not be set up (see <a href=\"#printer-setup\">printer setup<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open the PDF24 settings (right-click the PDF24 icon in the taskbar &gt; \"Settings\") and the page \"PDF Printer\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Click \"Restore the printer 'PDF24' (administrator rights required)\". This link exists since version 11.34.0.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>With an older version: install the current version over the existing installation and keep the component \"PDF Printer\" selected in the setup.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add further PDF printers, for example a second one that saves automatically, on the same page with \"+\" (\"Install a PDF printer\") \u2013 not directly in Windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"update-11-33\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Since the update to 11.33.0 the PDF printer no longer prints (Windows 10)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> after the update to version 11.33.0 every print job stays in the queue with the status \"Error - Printing\". A Windows test page fails too. Reinstalling and restarting do not help. Affected are Windows 10, Windows 11 21H2 and Windows Server 2016 to 2022 with the classic PDF printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> version 11.33.0 renamed the port of the printer (to <code>\\\\?\\pipe\\PDFPrint<\/code>). Only Windows 11 22H2 and later understand this form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it:<\/strong> update to version 11.34.0 or later \u2013 fixed since version 11.34.0. On these versions of Windows the update moves the printer back to the port <code>\\\\.\\pipe\\PDFPrint<\/code>. Do not install version 11.33.0 again afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In detail, also with a way without updating, in the manual: <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#1320-after-the-update-to-version-11330-the-pdf-printer-does-not-print-any-more-the-jobs-stay-in-the-queue-with-an-error-what-to-do\">After the update to version 11.33.0 the PDF printer does not print any more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"print-queue\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Print jobs are stuck in the print queue (Error - Printing)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong> (Windows messages as reported to us)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the print queue: \"Error - Printing\" or \"Error\", and all following jobs wait, e.g. \"Error; 5 documents waiting\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>In the Event Viewer: \"Win32 error code returned by the print processor: 2. The system cannot find the file specified.\", also error code 50 or 259.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"The system cannot find the file specified\", \"Error printing on PDF24\".<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> the classic PDF printer passes its jobs to the Windows service \"PDF24\". If the service is not running, the printer is on the wrong port or a broken job blocks the queue, nothing arrives any more. A visible PDF24 icon in the taskbar says nothing about the service \u2013 it is a different program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install the current version. On Windows 10 and Windows 11 21H2, version 11.33.0 itself is the cause (see <a href=\"#update-11-33\">above<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Check that the service is running (see <a href=\"#service\">service does not start<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Delete the stuck jobs in the print queue and restart Windows.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Check the port: Windows Settings &gt; \"Bluetooth &amp; devices\" &gt; \"Printers &amp; scanners\" &gt; \"PDF24\" &gt; \"Printer properties\" &gt; tab \"Ports\". The printer \"PDF24\" belongs on <code>\\\\.\\pipe\\PDFPrint<\/code> (Windows 11 22H2 and later: <code>\\\\?\\pipe\\PDFPrint<\/code>), further PDF24 printers on <code>\u2026PDFPrint-1<\/code>, <code>\u2026PDFPrint-2<\/code> and so on. If an additional printer does not print, remove it in the PDF24 settings (\"Remove PDF printer\") and add it again with \"+\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>So that broken jobs no longer block the queue: PDF24 settings &gt; \"Features\" &gt; \"Delete faulty print jobs automatically\".<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If jobs disappear without a PDF, the reason is in the Event Viewer under \"Windows Logs\" &gt; \"Application\", source \"PDF24\" (for example an output folder that cannot be written to).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"service\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\"The PDF24 Windows service is not started\", error 1053 or 1920<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\"The PDF24 Windows service is not started. This service is required, otherwise the PDF printer will not work. Please start the PDF24 Windows service via the Windows service control.\" with the button \"Start PDF24 service\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Error 1053 (\"The service did not respond \u2026 in a timely fashion\") when the service starts.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>When installing the MSI package: \"Error 1920. Service 'PDF24' (PDF24) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start system services.\"<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> the service \"PDF24\" receives the jobs of the classic PDF printer. It was, for example, no longer running after a Windows update, or a leftover old PDF24 process prevented the start (error 1053).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install the current version over the existing installation. This sets up the service again. Error 1053 caused by an old process is fixed since version 11.32.0; since the same version the MSI package no longer aborts on error 1920. Since version 11.34.0 PDF24 no longer crashes when you close the message (which made the message come back with every print).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Start the service as administrator: open a command prompt with \"Run as administrator\" and enter:<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">``<code> net start pdf24 <\/code>``<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the service is missing altogether, set it up again in the PDF24 program folder (command prompt as administrator):<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">``<code> cd \"C:\\Program Files\\PDF24\" pdf24.exe -install pdf24.exe -start <\/code>``<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the Windows app \"Services\", set the startup type of the service \"PDF24\" to \"Automatic\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the service still does not start, send us the file <code>srvInst.log<\/code> from the PDF24 program folder. It records what happened when the service was set up.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note: the button \"Start PDF24 service\" needs administrator rights. Users without these rights cannot start the service with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"error-3003\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Error 0x00000bbb or 3003 with the driverless printer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong> (as reported)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Printing to \"PDF24\" fails at once with the code 0x00000bbb (that is 3003), for example \"Could not create a print job\" or in Word \"printer setup problem\"; after that the printer hangs.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Since version 11.32.0 PDF24 shows at sign-in: \"The PDF24 printer cannot print because Windows blocks it as a background app. Open the PDF24 settings &gt; PDF Printer to fix it.\"<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> on Windows 11 24H2 and later, PDF24 sets up a driverless PDF printer (in Windows the app \"PDF24 Virtual Printer\"). Windows runs it as a background app. If background apps are forbidden \u2013 in the Windows settings, by a policy or by a tuning tool \u2013 every print fails at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install the current version (fixed since version 11.32.0). The setup itself allows the printer to run in the background.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If it is blocked anyway (for example by a company group policy): PDF24 settings &gt; \"PDF Printer\", select the printer and click \"Fix now (administrator rights required)\". This frees the printer and restarts the print spooler; print jobs still waiting are deleted.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Alternatively in Windows: Settings &gt; \"Apps\" &gt; \"Installed apps\" &gt; \"PDF24 Virtual Printer\" &gt; \"Advanced options\" and do not set the background apps permission to \"Never\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Or use the classic printer (see <a href=\"#printer-type\">printer type<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"printer-type\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driverless or classic PDF printer: paper size, Remote Desktop, text not selectable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PDF24 can set up two kinds of PDF printers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Driverless (Windows Protected Print):<\/strong> since version 11.31.0 the default for new installations on Windows 11 24H2 \/ Windows Server 2025 and later. If \"Windows Protected Print\" is switched on in Windows, only this kind works.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Legacy (PostScript driver):<\/strong> the classic PDF printer. It works on every version of Windows.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A short guide to choosing is also on the page <a href=\"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/how-to-create-pdf-files-with-pdf24\/#druckerarten\">Create PDF: the two kinds of PDF printer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see \u2013 and when the classic printer helps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A custom paper size is missing:<\/strong> the driverless printer has a fixed list of 47 standard sizes. Windows does not allow custom sizes for driverless printers, for example for plans from CAD programs. The classic printer supports custom sizes up to 72000 \u00d7 72000 points.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Printing through Remote Desktop, a terminal server or Citrix does not work:<\/strong> Windows does not deliver print jobs redirected through Remote Desktop to driverless printers. Likewise, jobs that programs send directly as printer data (RAW, LPR, older business software) never reach the driverless printer.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Text in the PDF cannot be selected, the file is several MB:<\/strong> fonts whose license only allows \"Preview &amp; Print\" are drawn as shapes by Windows for the driverless printer. Microsoft Print to PDF does the same. The classic printer or the program's own PDF export (for example in Office \"File\" &gt; \"Save As\" &gt; PDF) keep the text.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to switch to the classic printer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Add an additional classic printer:<\/strong> PDF24 settings &gt; \"PDF Printer\" &gt; \"+\", choose the kind \"PostScript\". This works as long as Windows Protected Print is not switched on.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Switch the printer \"PDF24\":<\/strong> run the setup again and choose \"Legacy (PostScript driver)\" instead of \"Driverless (Windows Protected Print)\" for the component \"PDF Printer\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>For many computers:<\/strong> EXE setup with <code>\/PrinterType=ps<\/code>, MSI package with <code>PRINTERTYPE=ps<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An update keeps the chosen kind of printer. More in the manual: <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#63-classic-and-driverless-pdf-printers\">Classic and driverless PDF printers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"prn-file\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Windows asks for a file name when printing (.prn)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> instead of PDF24, the Windows window \"Save Print Output As\" opens with the file type <code>.prn<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> Windows writes the print job into a file instead of sending it to the printer. The <code>.prn<\/code> file is not a PDF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clear the option \"Print to file\" in the print dialog of the program. Some programs remember this option.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the printer is connected to the port <code>FILE:<\/code> or <code>PORTPROMPT:<\/code>, set it back to its PDF24 port in the printer properties (see <a href=\"#print-queue\">print queue<\/a>, step 4) or set it up again (see <a href=\"#printer-missing\">printer missing<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"where-is-the-pdf\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">No PDF is saved after printing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> by default the PDF printer does not save anything yet. The PDF24 Assistant opens, and the PDF is created only when you click \"Save as PDF\" or \"Save as...\" there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To save every PDF into a folder without asking: PDF24 settings &gt; \"PDF Printer\" &gt; \"PDF Printer Tool\" &gt; \"Automatically save documents after printed\", then set the folder. Without a folder, the file is saved on the desktop. File name, placeholders and profile are explained on the page <a href=\"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/how-to-create-pdf-files-with-pdf24\/#automatisch-speichern\">Create PDF: saving automatically<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If nothing opens at all and the jobs hang, see <a href=\"#print-queue\">print queue<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"network-printer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A shared PDF printer in the network does not print<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> the PDF24 printer is shared on a server. When other computers print to it, no PDF arrives, or the jobs stay in the queue with an error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> on the server there is no session for these users in which the PDF24 Assistant could appear. A shared PDF24 printer can therefore only save automatically on the server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong> (on the server)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open the PDF24 settings <strong>as administrator<\/strong>, page \"PDF Printer\", and select the shared printer. Use a classic printer (kind \"PostScript\") for this.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Set \"PDF Printer Tool\" to \"Automatically save documents after printed\" and set a folder, for example <code>D:\\PDF\\$owner<\/code> (one folder per user who printed).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Switch on \"Save with the PDF24 Windows Service\". The folder must be writable for the account of the service.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Since version 11.33.0, jobs that cannot be saved this way no longer block the queue; they are recorded with the reason in the Event Viewer (\"Application\", source \"PDF24\").<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All settings for this are in the manual, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#64-sharing-a-pdf-printer-in-the-network--saving-without-a-signed-in-user\">6.4 Sharing a PDF printer in the network<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"autocad\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">AutoCAD is slow with the PDF24 printer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> in the plot dialog of AutoCAD every selection of the PDF24 printer takes up to 10 seconds, every change of the paper size about 5 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it:<\/strong> update to the current version. On Windows 11 22H2 and later this is fixed since version 11.33.0. On older versions of Windows the delay remains with the classic printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"does-not-start\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">PDF24 Reader, Toolbox or Launcher does not start (even after reinstalling)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A double-click on a PDF only shows a busy cursor for a moment, then nothing happens.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Windows reports that it cannot find <code>pdf24-Toolbox.exe<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>The program only starts with administrator rights. Reinstalling does not help.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> a tune-up tool redirects the start. Most often it is <strong>CCleaner<\/strong>: its \"Performance Optimizer\" puts programs into a \"sleep mode\" and adds an entry in Windows that starts CCleaner instead of the PDF24 programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wake PDF24 up in CCleaner (Performance Optimizer).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Install the current version: since version 11.34.0 the setup removes these CCleaner entries from the PDF24 programs. If CCleaner puts PDF24 to sleep again, the entry is back.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Check without CCleaner (command prompt):<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">``<code> reg query \"HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Image File Execution Options\" \/s \/f Debugger \/v <\/code>``<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a key of a PDF24 program is listed, for example <code>...\\pdf24-Reader.exe<\/code>, delete the value as administrator:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">``<code> reg delete \"HKLM\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Image File Execution Options\\pdf24-Reader.exe\" \/v Debugger \/f <\/code>``<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do the same for <code>pdf24-Toolbox.exe<\/code>, <code>pdf24-Launcher.exe<\/code> and other PDF24 programs with a <code>Debugger<\/code> value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"toolbox-webview2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Toolbox stays white or does not start (WebView2)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PDF24 Toolbox shows its window with the Microsoft component WebView2. If WebView2 does not start, the Toolbox stays white or does not open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\"The Microsoft WebView2 runtime environment could not be started. Please install or repair the Microsoft WebView2 runtime environment. Under Settings &gt; Components you can choose which WebView2 version is used.\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Or (as reported): \"An error occured! Code=0x8007139f File=webview2.cpp \u2026\", in English Windows \"The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>A chosen file stays at \"\u25cf\u25cf\u25cf\" in every tool.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"Choose files\" does not open a window.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install the current version. Fixed: since version 11.32.0 PDF24 automatically uses the WebView2 version installed in Windows if the bundled one does not start; since version 11.33.0 files no longer stay at \"\u25cf\u25cf\u25cf\" on terminal servers, and if the file dialog does not appear, the Toolbox opens its own open dialog; since version 11.34.0 all users of a terminal server have a WebView2 runtime.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Until then: drag files from File Explorer into the Toolbox instead of using \"Choose files\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>With 0x8007139f: sign out of Windows or restart the computer so that no WebView2 process is left running.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>In PDF24 settings &gt; \"Components\", choose another version for WebView2 (\"Bundled\" or \"Installed system version\").<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Citrix: if the Toolbox stays white or does not start, your Citrix administrator excludes <code>msedgewebview2.exe<\/code> from Citrix hooking: in the registry under <code>HKLM\\Software\\Citrix\\CTXHook<\/code> with the value <code>ExcludedImageNames<\/code> (no restart needed) or under <code>HKLM\\System\\CurrentControlSet\\Services\\CtxUvi<\/code> with the value <code>UviProcessExcludes<\/code> = <code>msedgewebview2<\/code> (needs a restart). If the value already exists, the name is appended to the comma-separated list. In detail in the manual: <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#93-notes-about-windows-server-and-citrix\">Notes about Windows Server and Citrix<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"crash\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A PDF24 program crashes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> a PDF24 program closes suddenly, or Windows reports \"\u2026 has stopped working\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Known crashes that are fixed \u2013 please update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The PDF24 Assistant used more and more memory after \"Save as PDF\" and crashed after 1\u20132 minutes: fixed since version 11.33.0.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>File Explorer crashed on right-clicking a file (Windows 10): fixed since version 11.32.0.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>The background program crashed when the message \"The PDF24 Windows service is not started\" was closed: fixed since version 11.34.0.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Report a crash to us<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since version 11.34.0 a crashed PDF24 program leaves two files in the folder <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\\PDF24\\CrashDumps<\/code> (type the path into the address bar of File Explorer): a <code>.dmp<\/code> file and a <code>.txt<\/code> file with the same name. Tell us what you did before the crash and send us both files (see <a href=\"#not-listed\">Your problem is not listed?<\/a>). The dump file can contain parts of the open document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"slow\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">PDF24 is very slow on some computers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> on some computers \"Save as PDF\" takes up to a minute or every tool starts slowly, on others with the same files it does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> usually the antivirus. For many functions PDF24 starts helper programs (Ghostscript, QPDF, Tesseract, Java) and reads many archive files; an antivirus that checks every start and every archive slows down each step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check whether the antivirus scans archives (ZIP, JAR) when they are opened. In one reported case, switching this off made PDF24 fast again.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Add exceptions for the PDF24 program folder (usually <code>C:\\Program Files\\PDF24<\/code>) and, if possible, for the folder <code>%TEMP%\\PDF24<\/code>. In companies, the administrator does this.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"reader-preview\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">PDFs do not open in PDF24 Reader, no preview in File Explorer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PDFs open in another program:<\/strong> only you can set in Windows which program opens PDFs. In PDF24 Reader, click \"Set PDF24 Reader as the default app for PDF files\" on the start screen, or right-click a PDF &gt; \"Open with\" &gt; \"Choose another app\" &gt; \"PDF24 Reader\" &gt; \"Always\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>No preview in File Explorer:<\/strong> the PDF24 preview and thumbnails only appear while PDF24 Reader is the default app for PDF files. If the preview is missing only for downloaded PDFs, Windows itself blocks the preview of files from the internet: right-click the file &gt; \"Properties\" &gt; tick \"Unblock\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Reader does not start at all:<\/strong> see <a href=\"#does-not-start\">program does not start<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"updates\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The update does not come, needs admin rights or cannot reach the server<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The update is not offered yet:<\/strong> we roll out new versions through the automatic update check gradually, on purpose. You get the newest version right away on the <a href=\"https:\/\/tools.pdf24.org\/en\/creator\">PDF24 Creator<\/a> page; install it over the existing installation. In the Microsoft Store and in Winget a new version appears a few days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The update asks for an administrator:<\/strong> \"An update is available. Installing it requires administrator rights, so Windows will ask for the credentials of an administrator.\" This is intended: PDF24 cannot be updated without administrator rights. If \"No update found.\" appeared after entering the credentials, this is fixed since version 11.33.0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The update server cannot be reached:<\/strong> \"The PDF24 Creator could not reach its update server creator.pdf24.org (HTTPS). A firewall or a proxy may block the connection of the program pdf24-Updater.exe. PDF24 itself works normally, a new installation is not necessary. \u2026\" Allow <code>pdf24-Updater.exe<\/code> in the firewall, or download updates yourself from the website. With \"Update settings (e.g. turn off the update check)\" you can also switch the update check off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"save-error\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\"The file could not be saved\"<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong> (since version 11.33.0 instead of \"Could not write to file. ErrorCode=32\")<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\"The file could not be saved because it is open in another program, for example in a PDF viewer, in the preview pane of File Explorer or by another user of the network share.\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"The file could not be saved because writing to it is not allowed. \u2026\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"PDF24 Creator cannot create files in the folder for temporary files: \u2026\"<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>File is open: close the PDF in the other program or the preview in File Explorer and click \"Retry\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Writing not allowed: save to another folder. Controlled folder access of Windows Security or an antivirus can block folders such as \"Documents\" for PDF24; allow PDF24 there.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Temporary folder: check whether the drive is full and whether the folder from the environment variables TEMP and TMP exists and is writable.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"convert\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Word, Excel or other files cannot be converted to PDF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see<\/strong> (since version 11.33.0 the message names the cause)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\"The file '\u2026' could not be converted to PDF. Office documents need Microsoft Office or the free LibreOffice. \u2026\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"\u2026 Outlook files (.msg, .oft) need the classic Outlook for Windows (part of Microsoft Office). The new Outlook does not support this.\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"The file '\u2026' is an archive (for example ZIP or RAR). Archives cannot be converted to PDF. \u2026\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"\u2026 PDF24 does not support this file type, and no installed program can print it.\"<\/li>\n\n\n<li>\"The file '\u2026' could not be printed on the PDF printer to convert it to PDF. \u2026\" \u2013 this is the message in older versions, and since 11.33.0 when an installed program could not print the file.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Office documents: install Microsoft Office or the free LibreOffice, or convert the file online. For Word files, everything is under <a href=\"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/how-to-convert-word-to-pdf-with-pdf24\/#fehlermeldung\">Convert Word to PDF: message \"Office documents need \u2026\"<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Outlook files: open the message in Outlook and print it to the printer \"PDF24\" (see <a href=\"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/how-to-create-pdf-files-with-pdf24\/#e-mail\">Save an email as PDF<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Archives: unpack the archive and convert the files it contains.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>Other file types: open the file in a suitable program and print it to the printer \"PDF24\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>If the printer is missing instead (\"\u2026 because the PDF24 PDF printer is missing\"), see <a href=\"#printer-missing\">printer missing<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"java-memory\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">\"There is insufficient memory for the Java Runtime Environment to continue\"<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What you see:<\/strong> a function stops, and its report says \"There is insufficient memory for the Java Runtime Environment to continue.\" \u2013 often although there is still plenty of free memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why:<\/strong> Windows has reached its commit limit (installed memory plus page file). Java then cannot get any memory when it starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to solve it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enlarge the page file or let Windows manage its size.<\/li>\n\n\n<li>In Task Manager under \"Details\", look for the program that uses a large \"Commit size\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li>On terminal servers with many sessions, the administrator can limit the memory per Java process. See the manual, <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#415-registry-settings-related-to-the-java-runtime\">4.15 Registry settings related to the Java runtime<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/#134-a-java-based-function-fails-with-an-insufficient-memory-error-what-to-do\">13.4 A Java based function fails with an insufficient memory error<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"not-listed\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your problem is not listed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ask your question in the <a href=\"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/forums\/\">PDF24 forum<\/a>. Please include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>your PDF24 version and Windows version,<\/li>\n\n\n<li>the error message word for word or as a screenshot,<\/li>\n\n\n<li>what you did before the error appeared and what you have already tried.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the problem, these files help us. Do not post them publicly in the forum \u2013 we will tell you in our answer how to send them to us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The printer cannot be set up:<\/strong> <code>pdfPrnInst.log<\/code> in the PDF24 program folder (usually <code>C:\\Program Files\\PDF24<\/code>).<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>The service \"PDF24\" does not start:<\/strong> <code>srvInst.log<\/code> in the same folder.<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Print jobs disappear without a PDF:<\/strong> the Event Viewer entries under \"Windows Logs\" &gt; \"Application\" with the source \"PDF24\".<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Crash:<\/strong> the two files from <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\\PDF24\\CrashDumps<\/code> (since version 11.34.0).<\/li>\n\n\n<li><strong>Installation with the MSI package fails:<\/strong> an installation log, for example <code>msiexec \/i pdf24-creator.msi \/l*v pdf24-msi.log<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Detailed technical information for administrators is in the <a href=\"https:\/\/creator.pdf24.org\/manual\/11\/\">PDF24 Creator manual<\/a>, chapter 13 \"FAQ\".<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PDF printer not printing, service not starting, Toolbox stays white, error 0x00000bbb or 1053? Causes and solutions for PDF24 Creator.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-creator","category-online-tools"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66929"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66929\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/help.pdf24.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}