Enable Print Option in PDF – Guide to Unlock PDF Printing
Many of you might struggle when the “print option disabled in PDF document”. Unfortunately, it may prevent you from printing PDF files. It occurs due to print permission or security applied by document owners. Here, you might seek how to enable print option in PDF files. This detailed guide covers simple to quick troubleshooting fixes to unlock PDF printing.
If the document contains other advanced print security settings, then follow the guide to remove print restriction from PDF using professional-grade tools. So, let’s walk into it.
Why is the Print Option Not Showing on PDFs?
If you’re wondering why the PDF printing option is disabled or greyed out. It mainly happens due to security restrictions imposed by the owner. In this case, you can’t print the document. Here are some other reasons why print option is disabled in PDF files:
- Restricted Document: Whether PDFs have limitations or password protection, it prevents unauthorized action, including printing, copying, and even tampering with the document. Therefore, unlock PDF for printing unless you have a password.
- Software Glitches: If you use professional software like Acrobat to unlock the PDF print option, working on outdated versions of this tool brings compatibility issues. In this way, the print feature might miss out.
- Corrupted or Damaged File: Unfortunately, if your PDF file is corrupted or damaged, it certainly impacts the inherent elements of the document. Moreover, it prevents users from printing the PDF file into a hard copy. Here, use solutions like PDF Recovery to fix the corruption issues to enable printing.
Overall, these are the reasons why I cannot print PDF files. Now, you must be seeking methods to unlock print option in PDF file. So, let’s move down to learn the stepwise guide to enable PDF printing feature to use PDFs without any limitation or owner control.
How to Check Whether “Print Greyed Out PDF”?
If you’re dealing with the error of “print option disabled in PDF”, it becomes necessary to check the document status. Whether the document is secured with basic print limitation or not. Here, you can use reliable tools like Adobe Acrobat Reader. Using this solution, you can effortlessly analyse the type of protection imposed on a PDF document. Below are the simple steps to check why “PDF not showing print option”:
- Open the required PDF with PDF Reader.
- Move to the File feature and then, Properties.
- After this, Security > check Document Restriction Summary.
- Here, look for the Print section:
- Not Allowed: It means viewers can’t make printable files.
- Allowed: Users can print the document without any limitation.
If your document shows a print greyout PDF, it certainly means that it might be secured with print protection. Now, let’s move to enable print option in PDF.
How to Enable Print Option in PDF – 5 Simple Ways for Unlock Printing
In the following section, we will share the best go-to ways to unlock PDF for printing, and get all the printing rights. With this, you will get the solution for how to print a PDF when printing is not allowed. Moreover, these techniques allow you to overcome all the printing limitations on PDFs. Now, let’s know how to enable print to PDF file:
- Adobe Acrobat to Enable a Print Option in PDF
- Unlock PDF File for Printing Via Adobe Reader
- Fix “Print Option Disabled” with Print to PDF in Windows
- Enable Print Feature from PDF with Chrome
- Automated Tool to Unlock PDF File Printing
Now, let’s dive in to learn these methods in a detailed manner.
#1 How to Unlock Print Option in PDF File Using Adobe Acrobat
Acrobat Pro software is an advanced and portable tool to view, edit, and even print documents. If you receive messages like this PDF cannot be printed due to its security settings. It might happen if the PDF has password protection or printing prohibitions. In both cases, this tool is a saviour as it lets you to overcome these access control.
Additionally, this software has amazing features to manage PDFs for multiple purposes. Now, follow the steps to unlock PDF for printing:
- To remove print limitation from PDF > open Acrobat.
- Tab on File and upload the restricted file.
- Now, right-click on file > Document Properties.
- Under the Security section > click on Change Settings.
- After this, enter the correct password > press OK.
- Change the Print setting > re-add the password.
- Finally, enter OK to unlock PDF print option.
By following these steps, you can easily enable the printing option from the print protected file. If you’re a novice user, the features of Acrobat might confuse you. So, read and carefully use the stepwise guide.
Remember: The services of Acrobat Pro are not free. It has multiple plans based on the preferences of users. Additionally, it is not a one-time investment so, you need to hurt your pocket just to get printable pages from print-restricted files.
#2 How to Enable Print in a PDF File with Adobe Reader
Like Acrobat, Adobe Reader is yet another tool designed by Adobe. This robust tool is mainly used for viewing or printing the PDF file. Unfortunately, this software doesn’t have advanced editing capabilities similar to Acrobat Pro. Here are the steps to unlock PDF for printing using the Adobe Reader:
- Upload the print-protected document to Adobe Reader.
- From the top toolbar, choose the Print option.
- Now, choose any printer > hit Print.
Please Note: You can’t rely on Adobe Reader software if a PDF has strong encryption. This tool is not capable of bypassing the advanced print limitations or security. Hence, you can’t completely depend on this tool to unlock PDF print option.
#3 How to Print a PDF When Printing is Not Allowed – Try Print to PDF in Windows
If you want to enable print option in PDF, try the Microsoft Print to PDF method. It is a basic yet effective way to unlock print option in PDF. This way, users can enable the print option without any data loss. Most importantly, it allows you to access a new printable PDF file. Now, follow the quick steps on how to enable printing on a PDF document using Print to PDF in Windows:
- Firstly, press two keys, i.e., Windows + R to access a dialog box.
- Manually type: optionalfeatures.exe and press the Enter button.
- Under the Windows feature > move down.
- Look for Microsoft Print to PDF > enable the checkbox.
- Finally, use the OK button to view the virtual printer.
- After this, browse the print-protected document > hit Ctrl + P to preview the print dialog box.
- To fix the “print option disabled in PDF” error > select the Microsoft Print to PDF option.
- Lastly, press the Print and then browse the path for the resultant document.
Pros of Microsoft Print to PDF in Windows
- It is completely free and won’t require the installation of any third-party tools.
- The method is secure and offline when it comes to maintaining privacy.
Cons of Print to PDF in Windows
- This isn’t an ideal tool for unlocking PDF printing after deleting the necessary protection.
- There might be formatting and other font issues during the process.
- Under this method, users can’t upload highly secure PDF files to enable printing.
#4 How to Unlock PDF for Printing Free With Google Chrome
Instead of using Adobe Reader, you can use Google Chrome — it is commonly considered the free reader. Using Chrome, you can remove basic printing limitations. So, learn the steps for how you can:
- Open the print disabled PDF with Google Chrome.
- Pick the Print option and then, set the Destination.
- Finally, the Save button is present in the top corner of the window.
#5 How to Enable Print Option in PDF Using Automated Solution (Secure & Offline)
If you’re looking for advanced techniques to enable the print feature in PDF, use the SysTools PDF Document Unlocker Tool, one of the reliable and offline software solutions. Using this robust utility, you can enable print to PDF and disable other PDF security limitations like copying, editing, and more. Moreover, this tool has the dual option to bulk unlock PDF for printing without any data loss.
Often, errors like Adobe Acrobat not responding might frustrate you and bring issues of losing document integrity. Fortunately, this software lets you print PDFs without installing the Adobe tools. Additionally, this advanced tool strictly adheres to privacy standards and maintains the folder structure when printing PDFs. So, download this pro solution to enable print option in PDF with no manual labor and stress. Additionally, it is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS, including the latest version.
Stepwise Guide to Unlock PDF for Printing
- Install the above mentioned automated tool.
- Click on Add Files to upload documents with print limitations.
- Select the Print option to instantly get the printed pages.
- Lastly, press the Unlock button to begin the process.
FAQs on How to Unlock Print Option in PDF File
Q1. How to Enable Printing on a PDF Document Quickly?
Follow the below 5 steps to quickly and easily unlock print option in PDF files:
Step 1. Download and Run the tool.
Step 2. Click on the Add Files or Folder button.
Step 3. From “Save” or “Print” choose any desired option.
Step 5. Click the Unlock button to start the process
Q2. Why is Google Chrome Print Button is disabled for some PDF?
If the PDF file has print security then Google Chrome Print button won’t work. But you can easily enable print option in PDF by using the above software solution.
Q3. Why does my printer not print PDF files?
There are various reasons why you can’t print PDF some of them are:
- Due to printer related problems
- PDF Printing Not Allowed
- Incompatible or corrupted data in the file
- Problems with the Adobe Reader
Concluding Words
In this guide, we have listed 5 simple ways how to enable print option in PDF documents. Using any of these methods, you can easily revoke all print limitations from your PDF file. Instead of relying on costly Adobe software, use an automated solution. It is a handy and advanced way to unlock the print settings from the PDF file without any risk. This way, you can fix the issue of print option grey out in PDF document with ease.