TechNote (Archived)

Error "Could not start print job" occurs when you print from a browser (Acrobat and Adobe Reader 6.0 on Windows)

Issue

When you attempt to print a PDF file from a Web browser, Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader returns the error "Could not start print job" and the file does not print.

Detail

The URL associated with the PDF file is longer than 261 characters.

Solutions

Do one or more of the following:

Solution 1: Update to Acrobat 6.0.1 or to the latest version of Adobe Reader.

-- If you use Acrobat Standard or Acrobat Professional, update to Acrobat 6.0.1 Standard or Acrobat 6.0.1 Professional. You can download the update from the Adobe Web site at www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

-- If you use Adobe Reader, download the latest version from the Adobe Web site at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Solution 2: Print the PDF file from your hard disk.

Save the PDF file to your hard disk, open the file, and then choose File > Print.

Solution 3: Shorten the URL.

Shorten the URL associated with the PDF file to fewer than 261 characters.

Background information

Acrobat and Adobe Reader 6.0 do not support printing PDF files with URLs longer than 261 characters. The Acrobat and Adobe Reader 6.0.1 updates resolve this issue.