Is QuickBooks Missing PDF Component? Here’s How to Resolve It

Often, when printing, saving, or emailing PDFs through QB Desktop, users run into a QuickBooks missing PDF component error message. Here are different kinds of error messages you might see on your screen:

“Error: QuickBooks can’t complete the current action due to a missing component: Missing PDF file component.”
Or
“QuickBooks could not save your form or reports as a .pdf.”
Or
“Unable to save as .pdf file.”
Or
“You cannot print directly to the QuickBooks PDF Converter.”
Or
“There is a problem connecting to your currently selected printer, Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPS port.”

This would result in delay and disruption of workflow if you cannot save and print your crucial reports and forms in PDF. Thus, it becomes immensely important to fix it to ensure the timely completion of all the relevant projects where you need PDF documents.

The comforting fact is that there are proven troubleshooting methods to fix the QuickBooks missing PDF component error on your computer.

Let’s dive into the article to learn about all the reasons behind these error messages and solutions to fix them.

If you need real-time assistance to resolve the QuickBooks missing PDF component error, dial +1(800) 780-3064 to connect with an experienced QuickBooks expert.

An Introduction to the PDF Component Missing Error in QB

QuickBooks Desktop users prefer to save and print various forms and reports in Portable Document Format (PDF). It is because you can gain several key advantages by saving PDF documents, such as universal compatibility and the preservation of the original layout and format of the document. Additionally, PDFs can often be smaller in size, allowing you to save and email them easily.

However, an error message might show up when you attempt to save and print PDF documents.

Once you encounter these error messages, the QB Desktop application might freeze entirely on the system. In some cases, you might even find it highly difficult to open PDFs generated through other applications. Furthermore, you might experience broader instability within QuickBooks, such as sudden crashes and slow performance.

However, if you find your QuickBooks is stuck on Installing ABS PDF Driver screen, you need to fix that first.

Now, let’s jump to the following section to learn all the relevant reasons behind these issues.

Why Does QuickBooks Say PDF Component Not Found?

It is crucial for you to understand the major causes behind these errors so that you can fix them effectively.
Here are the factors that can prevent you from saving and printing PDF files in QB Desktop:

• Insufficient access permission to the temp folder available on your system.
• Inactive Microsoft XPS Document Writer (MXDW).
• An obsolete version of Adobe Reader or QuickBooks Desktop.
• Interference from security software installed on the computer.
• Incorrect settings of the Print Spooler Service.

Now that you know all the common causes behind this problem, you can move to the following section to explore effective solutions.

Troubleshooting Methods to Fix QuickBooks Missing PDF Component Error

Before aiming to resolve the QuickBooks missing PDF component error, you need to download and install the new QB updates. This will ensure that you have access to all the newly developed features, tools, and services.
Thereafter, follow the troubleshooting method detailed below in the order they are given.

1. Run the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool

The QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool is a highly specialized troubleshooting utility that you can use to fix this error. Follow these steps to run this utility to fix the QuickBooks PDF component missing error:

• Firstly, you must download the most recent version of QuickBooks Tool Hub on your system.
• Now, double-click the QuickBooks Tool Hub icon and access the QB Tool Hub window.
• Next, you need to open the Program Problems tab and start running the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool.

• After the full execution of this utility, you can successfully save, email, and print PDFs.

If you are still encountering the QuickBooks missing PDF component error, you can utilize the following solution.

2. Revise the temp Folder Settings

The temp folder stores crucial files that are required to save and print PDFs through QuickBooks. You need to ensure that you have full access permission to this folder. The following steps will help you ensure complete access to this folder on your computer:

• You should quit all programs and applications, and after that, you should restart your system.
• After that, instantly click Windows + R to open the Run window.
• In the box available on the Run window, you should type %TEMP%.
• Now, hit Enter, and the temp folder will open up on the screen.
• Next, you must right-click the empty space available in the temp folder so that you can choose Properties.
• After that, access the Security tab and set Full Control across each username and group name.
• Tap OK and start QB Desktop so that you can save, email, and print PDFs easily and effectively.

At this point, if you are unsuccessful in saving and printing PDF files and reports, you can move to the following solution.

3. Check the Microsoft XPS Document Writer Settings

The Microsoft XPS Document Writer (MXDW) is a software tool that enables you to save documents in XPS format. QB Desktop generally uses internal components of this tool to help you save PDFs. If this tool is not working correctly, you cannot save and print PDFs.
Here are the steps that will enable you to repair this tool and ensure that you can print to your XPS printer:

Step 1: Check Whether You Can Print to Your XPS

• Access Notepad and instantly type TEST. After that, choose Print from the File tab.
• After that, choose the XPS Document Writer icon and tap Print.
• Now, type a new filename and save the new Notepad file to your desktop.
• Navigate to your desktop screen and view the recently printed XPS document from Notepad.

If you find you are unsuccessful in printing to your XPS printer, you will need to connect to an IT professional for assistance.
However, if you can successfully print to your XPS printer, move to the next step.

Step 2: Make Sure That Microsoft XPS Document Writer is Fully Operational

• Open the Start menu and instantly tap the Control Panel tab.
• Next, move to the Control Panel window and carefully click Programs and Features.
• Now, you must tap Turn Windows features on or off.

• After that, check the Microsoft XPS Document Writer checkbox and tap OK.
• Finally, you have made Microsoft XPS Document Writer fully operational on your computer.

You can now save and print PDFs successfully through QuickBooks. However, if you cannot do so, move to the next solution.

4. Utilize a New Template or Form

You can potentially resolve PDF errors by creating a new template. It is because the original template that you were using might be damaged. Furthermore, formatting issues in the original template can cause difficulties during PDF generation.

You can resolve this error by creating and using a fresh template. Here is how to do so:

• Access your QB Desktop window and select the Lists menu.
• After that, select Templates and immediately tap the drop-down option beside Templates.

• Now, click New and instantly select the Template Type option.
• Next, you must tap OK and utilize the Additional Customization option to review all the available details.
• At this point, you need to click OK to save the new template.
• Finally, you can create, save, and print PDFs very easily.

If you are still encountering the QuickBooks missing PDF component error, let us reconfigure the Print Spooler Service properties.

5. Reconfigure the Print Spooler Service Properties

The Print Spooler Service ensures the orderly processing of printing tasks that you initiate through QB Desktop. It translates the printing data into a language that the printer or Microsoft XPS Document Writer understands. Therefore, you must ensure the full activation of this service on your system using the following steps:

• Tap the Windows + R keys to access the Run window on the screen.
• Type services.msc and click OK so that you can acquire the Services window.
• After that, search for Print Spooler Service in the Services window.
• Now, right-click the Print Spooler Service icon to select Properties.
• Next, open the Startup Type tab available on the Properties window.
• After that, choose Automatic and immediately click Apply.
• At this step, tap OK to save the revised Print Spooler Service settings.
• Once you have right-clicked the Print Spooler Service icon, you must tap Start.
• Finally, create and print PDFs using QB Desktop on your computer.

If you cannot save or print PDFs even now, jump to the following solution.

6. Rename the QBprint.qbp file

The QBprint.qbp file holds printer-specific information, such as model, printer size, and orientation. Moreover, this file stores configurations for different forms, such as invoices, purchase orders, and statements.

The QB program contacts the QBprint.qbp file to determine the relevant layouts and settings when you attempt to save or print PDFs. If this file is not functioning correctly, you may not be able to save or print PDFs. Therefore, you need to recreate this file by renaming it using the following steps:

• Access File Explorer and go to the location where the QuickBooks folder is saved: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks20XX. Note that ‘XX’ denotes the version of your QB Desktop application.
• Now, find the icon of the QBprint.qbp file and right-click it.
• Choose the Rename tab and affix .old to the name so that the file name becomes: QBprint.qbp.old
• Hit Enter and instantly access the QB Desktop window.
• Jump to the File menu and choose Printer Setup.
• After that, choose any transaction in the Form Name list and tap OK.
• Now, a fresh QBprint.qbp file will be immediately created.
• You can now save or print any PDF document successfully.

If you cannot save or print PDF files, let us troubleshoot the Adobe Reader Application.

7. Repair the Adobe Reader Application

Sometimes, the damage in the Adobe Reader application prevents you from saving and printing PDFs in QuickBooks. You can easily repair Adobe Reader on your system using the following points:

• Choose Start and effectively click the Control Panel tab.
• Now, jump to the Control Panel window and access the Programs and Features tab.
• At this point, choose the Uninstall a Program option and double-click the Adobe Reader icon.
• Next, select Uninstall/Change and instantly click Next.
• Follow all the steps, after which you must tap Repair.
• Complete the repair process by clicking Finish, after which you can reopen your system.
• You can seamlessly open QB Desktop to save and print PDFs.

However, if you continue to encounter the QuickBooks missing PDF component error, try the next solution.

8. Repair QuickBooks Desktop

It is quite possible that corruption in the QB Desktop application prevents you from saving and printing PDFs. Therefore, you need to repair QB Desktop using the following steps:

• Launch the Start menu and immediately click the Control Panel.
• Move to the Control Panel window and choose Programs and Features.
• After that, tap Uninstall a Program and double-click QuickBooks from the list of programs.
• Choose Uninstall/Change and tap Next.
• Follow all the steps and hit Repair to start the repair process.
• Once the process is completed, tap Finish and reopen your computer.
• At this point, you can seamlessly begin saving and printing PDFs using QB Desktop.

Final Words

In this exhaustive article, we have discussed everything that is required to troubleshoot the QuickBooks missing PDF component error. Hopefully, you are now able to create, save, and print PDFs easily. However, if you are still encountering annoying problems or if you want more guidance, dial +1(800) 780-3064 to connect with a QuickBooks expert.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Gabby Taylor

Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities