Microsoft Print to PDF Not Working

Steve C · Dec 5, 2023

I've been installing a new Epson printer and all works fine execpt MS Print to PDF doesn't work. I removed it in Windows features then get the error shown on trying to reinstall it.

I then tried these DISM commands to remove and reinstall it which also failed:

C:\Windows\System32>dism /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features" /NoRestart

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.22621.2792

Image Version: 10.0.22631.2792

Disabling feature(s)
[==========================100.0%==========================]
The operation completed successfully.

C:\Windows\System32>dism /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:"Printing-PrintToPDFServices-Features" /NoRestart

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.22621.2792

Image Version: 10.0.22631.2792

Enabling feature(s)
[==========================100.0%==========================]

Error: 0x800f0922

DISM failed. No operation was performed.
For more information, review the log file.

In printer management I don't have a port for FILE: or PORTPROMPT . Is this the problem and how to recover?

Berton · Dec 5, 2023

Installing a physical printer shouldn't have fooled around with Print to PDF, I just tested mine on Win11 upgrade over Win10 by printing this page and no issue. Did you run SFC /SCANNOW from an Admin Command Prompt before running DISM? That's the usual way so if SFC can't fix corrupted files then run the DISM commands also as Admin.

IanMosley · Dec 5, 2023

Steve C said:
I've been installing a new Epson printer and all works fine execpt MS Print to PDF doesn't work.

I don't have a solution for your printer issue.

However, the web based utility PDF24 is way more useful than 'MS Print to PDF' which can be found here, & it's FREE!

Steve C · Dec 5, 2023

IanMosley said:
I don't have a solution for your printer issue.

However, the web based utility PDF24 is way more useful than 'MS Print to PDF' which can be found here, & it's FREE!

I'll have to restore from the last working backup else do a repair install since many of the standard ports are missing for some reason.

iko22 · Dec 5, 2023

Steve C said:
MS Print to PDF doesn't work. I removed it in Windows features then get the error shown on trying to reinstall it.

Turn off the Print Spooler service by opening an elevated cmd window and typing net stop spooler, then try again to reinstall the feature.

Steve C · Dec 6, 2023

iko22 said:
Turn off the Print Spooler service by opening an elevated cmd window and typing net stop spooler, then try again to reinstall the feature.

The problem was most of the standard ports were missing including PORTPROMPT: used by MS Print to PDF. After a repair install all is now OK with a full set of ports shown below.