Printing checks, invoices, reports, and other financial documents is a daily task for businesses using QuickBooks Desktop. However, users may sometimes encounter the QuickBooks Print and Preview not working problem, which prevents them from previewing or printing financial documents. The application will not open the preview window, but will not respond, freeze, or shut down.
This problem may cause a disruption in the workflow and may also result in a delay of necessary accounting tasks. It has been observed that many users experience no action when they click on the Print & Preview button, while others experience a blank screen or error messages related to the printer.
The issue may occur because of various reasons, such as damaged printer drivers, corrupted PDF parts, improper default printer configurations, or incomplete QuickBooks installation files. Since the preview functionality relies on Windows printing components, even a small system conflict can cause the issue. It is important to identify the root cause to resolve the issue and get back to normal printing functionality.
You may face technical inconveniences when trying to resolve the print & preview not working issue. In such a case, seeking expert help is the right decision. For that, please connect with us and get in touch with a professional consultant.
QuickBooks Print & Preview Not Working – An Overview
The issue of Print & Preview not working in QuickBooks Desktop arises when users are unable to print a preview of invoices, reports, or other crucial technical documents. In such scenarios, the application may freeze, crash, or display a blank screen instead of opening the preview window. This issue affects the functionality of accounting operations and prevents users from verifying the information on the documents before printing.
This problem normally occurs due to issues with printer drivers, damaged PDF components, incorrect default printer settings, or incomplete QuickBooks installation files. Since QuickBooks relies on Windows printing components to create previews, any issues with these components may cause the failure of this feature. Resolving this issue may involve resolving QuickBooks, updating printer drivers, or modifying printing settings.
Potential Causes Behind QuickBooks Print & Preview Problem
The major reasons for problems with QuickBooks Print and Preview not working include excessive browser data or other Adobe/PDF-related errors. This can also be related to the specific document that you are trying to print, or it can be triggered by external causes like printer connection problems, wrong installation, and so on. Here are some possible causes of this problem:
- QuickBooks is unable to make a connection with the printer.
- Your system contains outdated or corrupted program files.
- Adobe Reader files are damaged or not functioning properly.
- The printer driver is facing errors or malfunctions.
- The printer has gone offline, that’s why you can’t connect to it.
- The default printer settings have been modified.
- Microsoft XPS Document Writer issues stop the preview display.
- Incorrect or offline default printer settings cause errors.
After understanding the reasons behind this issue, follow the next section to know how to troubleshoot it.
Complete DIY Troubleshooting Methods to Get Rid of QuickBooks Print & Preview Not Working
Based on what triggers the QuickBooks Print & Preview not working problem, several troubleshooting methods can be applied to resolve it. If you already know the specific factor causing the error, refer to the solution listed below for that issue. If you’re unsure of the exact cause, try each troubleshooting method one by one, and you should be able to resolve the issue.
Method 1: Check Your Printer and Ensure It is Online
Often, the issue stems from the printer itself and not QuickBooks. If your printer is offline or malfunctioning, it can interrupt the QuickBooks print & preview feature.
- Access the Start menu and search for Notepad
- Type any sample text in Notepad and open the File menu
- Choose the connected printer and select the Print option
Note: If the printout comes out normally, the printer isn’t the issue, and you can skip the remaining steps. If it does not print, proceed with the following:
- Turn off the printer and restart your computer
- Power the printer back on
- Verify the paper tray to make sure it has paper loaded
- Open the Control Panel and go to Printers and Faxes
- Right-click your printer and choose Use Printer Online if it shows offline
- Click twice on the printer icon to open the print queue
- From the Printer menu, select Cancel All Documents to clear the queue
- Restart your system once more
After that, verify again if the problem is fixed. However, if you are still facing the same issue, try the next method.
Method 2: Fix Adobe Acrobat Installation Problem
Adobe and Acrobat are crucial for managing printing tasks, and any malfunction in these programs can lead to errors. To resolve issues related to them, follow the steps below:
- Make sure Acrobat/Adobe is fully closed in all active browser windows
- Next, tap the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen
- Go to the Control Panel (use the search bar if you don’t see it)
- Open Programs and Features, locate Acrobat or Adobe Reader, and select Uninstall/Change
- When the setup window opens, click Next
- Choose the Repair option and proceed by clicking Next again
- Press Install, and after the repair finishes, select Finish
- Restart your system and log back in to complete the process
Once done, you must verify again whether the issue is resolved. However, if the problem still exists, implement the next method.
Method 3: Print Sales Form in QuickBooks Online
This method is particularly useful when Print or Preview in QuickBooks Online isn’t working, and you need to print a sales form. Only a few small adjustments are required:
- Go to the Sales tab
- Click on All Sales
- Open the specific sales transaction you want to print
- Select Print or Preview, then choose Print or Preview again
- Click Print
- When the new window appears, choose More settings
- In the Paper size dropdown, select Letter
- Deselect Fit to Page and ensure the scaling is set to 100
- Finally, click Print
After trying the steps above, verify whether the QuickBooks Print & Preview not working issue is resolved. However, if the issue is still there, follow the next method.
Method 4: Clear Cache and Cookies
Web browsers automatically store cache and cookies as you browse the internet. When this stored data becomes corrupted, it can interfere with printing functions. This can also trigger the QuickBooks Online Print Preview not working issue. It’s recommended to clear your browser’s cache and cookies before attempting to print again. Use the steps below:
- Clear your browser’s history and cache. Since every browser has different steps, refer to the following links if you’re unsure:
- Firefox
- Google Chrome
- Safari for Mac
- Safari for iPad and iPhone
- Microsoft Edge
In most cases, clearing regular browser cookies is enough. However, in certain situations, you may need to delete Intuit-specific cookies to refresh your website settings.
Note: Only remove cookies related to Intuit.
Here are the instructions to remove the QuickBooks cache and Intuit cookies. Make sure you follow the steps in the exact sequence provided below:
Google Chrome
You can clear the cache data in Google Chrome by following these steps:
- Start by accessing Google Chrome on your computer and tapping the three dots icon in the top-right corner
- Select Delete browsing data, or press Ctrl + Shift + Del on your keyboard
- If a prompt appears asking to remove all browsing data, choose Cancel
- Then go to the third-party cookies section, select See all site data and permissions, and search for Intuit
- Click Remove All to delete the Intuit-related data
Mozilla Firefox
You can delete the Internet cache in Mozilla Firefox by performing the instructions below:
- Launch Firefox, click the Menu icon in the top-right corner, and open the Settings tab
- Select Privacy & Security, then choose Clear History under the History section
- Scroll to the Cookies and Site Data section
- Click on Clear Data
- Uncheck the Cookies and Site Data option
- Choose Clear, ensuring the Cached Web Content option remains selected
- Close the Settings tab to apply and save the changes
Safari for Mac
To clear the QuickBooks cache in Safari on your Mac, follow these steps:
- Open Safari, then go to the Safari menu
- Click Preferences
- Go to the Privacy tab
- Select Manage Website Data
- Search for Intuit and press Enter
- Click Remove All to delete the data
Safari for iPad and iPhone
To delete the Safari cache on your iPhone or iPad, do the following:
- Open Settings and tap Safari
- Scroll down to the Apps section
- Select Safari from the list
- Tap Advanced
- Choose Website Data, then search for Intuit
- Tap Edit
- Select Clear them all
- Return to Safari under Settings and tap Clear History and Website Data
Microsoft Edge
To remove the QuickBooks cache from Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Go to Settings and More, or press Alt + F
- Open the Privacy, search, and services section
- Select the Cookies option
- Click See all cookies and site data
- Search for Intuit and press Enter
- Click Remove all shown
- Choose Clear to finish deleting the data
Opera
To clear QuickBooks cache and Intuit-specific cookies in Opera, use the instructions below:
- Start by opening the Opera browser
- Click the three horizontal lines next to the minimize button
- Select Privacy and Security
- Click Third-party cookies
- Select See all site data and permissions, then utilize the search bar
- Type Intuit and press Enter
- Click the bin icon next to each result
- Press Delete to clean them
We trust that the steps provided above will assist you in removing QuickBooks cache and Intuit-related cookies from your web browser.
Expert Tips to Prevent the QuickBooks Print and Preview Not Working Issue
It is essential to learn the healthy practices to prevent the Print and Preview not working in QuickBooks. Therefore, we have listed the prevention tips below:
- Keep QuickBooks updated to avoid compatibility and printing errors
- Regularly update printer drivers to ensure smooth printing performance
- Set a properly working device as the default printer at all times
- Ensure PDF and Microsoft XPS components are enabled and functioning
- Run Verify and Rebuild Data regularly to prevent file corruption
- Install Windows updates carefully to avoid printer setting conflicts
- Repair QuickBooks promptly
These are some healthy practices you must ensure from time to time for preventing such types of issues.
A Quick Overview of QuickBooks Print & Preview Not Working
The table below shows the condensed version of this blog on the Print & Preview issue in QuickBooks.
| Topic description | QuickBooks Print & Preview stops working if your application can’t communicate with the printer or PDF components. This leads to unresponsive preview screens, blank pages, or failed print commands. |
| Common causes | Printer connection failure, corrupted program files, damaged Adobe Reader, printer driver issues, printer is offline, or changed printer settings. |
| Proven fixes | Ensure your printer is online, repair Adobe Acrobat, print the Sales form in QBO, and clean the QuickBooks cache and cookies. |
Conclusion
We hope you now know what steps to follow when the QuickBooks preview and print fail to function. QuickBooks is a highly accessible software that allows you to send print commands for your documents from virtually anywhere. Whether you manage a small, medium, or large business, QuickBooks is worth considering as it helps streamline various business operations. Whether you manage a small, medium, or large business, QuickBooks is worth considering as it helps streamline various business operations. If you continue to experience problems, you can contact our experts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. QuickBooks Print & Preview is unable to perform due to a faulty printer driver, a sluggish QuickBooks version, or faulty company files. On the other hand, QuickBooks printing could be disrupted by Windows update issues and other third-party PDF applications. To rectify the problem, the first tip is to update your QuickBooks version to the latest version, update your printer driver, and use the QuickBooks Print & PDF Repair Tool. In addition, you have to update your printer settings in Windows and QuickBooks.
A. A blank or frozen print preview is generally a sign that QuickBooks cannot connect to the printer or its PDF driver. The first step is to restart your computer, as well as close QuickBooks completely. From there, access File > Printer Setup, selecting your default printer again. If nothing changes, try changing the name of the QB Print and PDF folders or reinstalling the QuickBooks PDF Converter. Another way to alleviate print preview from not working is to run QuickBooks as an administrator.
A. This means that QuickBooks can generally send the document to the printer, but cannot generate the in-application preview. This is because the preview requires the file to be converted to PDF format, whereas direct printing may not. Also, updating or repairing your PDF/XPS drivers will fix this.
Gabby Taylor, combines financial expertise with literary prowess. With over a decade in finance, she crafts insightful narratives on navigating fiscal complexities