QuickBooks is a renowned accounting software and is highly preferred by entrepreneurs across the globe. But at the same time, there are certain errors that might hinder the smooth working of this software. One such error is ‘QuickBooks unable to create PDF error‘ or ‘QuickBooks could not save your form as a PDF file‘. In this post we will be clearing out all your confusion regarding the causes of this error and also the fixes to the same. This error can be pretty much annoying for the QB user, as it restricts you from creating a PDF and also couldn’t save the form as PDF.

This article aims to give a detailed explanation of this error message: QuickBooks cannot create PDF. So, read the article carefully until the end or you could reach out to the 24/7 QuickBooks error support team. Our experts will deal with the issue for you.

What is Error: QuickBooks could not save your form as a PDF file?

Your forms were not sent because QuickBooks could not create the necessary PDF file error indicates that the error with PDF file mailing and printing. This error is often seen when you try to create, email or print a report. Also, it can be seen when you refresh the Windows 10 or Windows 11 and then move to the PDF files. This is often seen when you navigate to Windows 10/11, and then the Microsoft XPS report essayist gadget is added to the framework design, and this joins itself default port named PORTPROMPT that can conflict in times of higher printing demand.

QuickBooks could not save your form as a PDF file - Screenshot

What factors lead to QuickBooks cannot create PDF issue?

Major causes of QuickBooks unable to create PDF error are listed below:

  • Unrecoverable error
  • QB PDF converter activation error 30, 20, or 41
  • If there is a drag connected to the printer, Microsoft XPS document writer on XPS port.
  • You can also encounter this error when the device is not ready.
  • Or there is any kind of issue with printing transactions/report.
  • QuickBooks freezes during reconciliation.
  • In case there is any missing component due to which QuickBooks couldn’t complete an action.
  • QuickBooks not responding
  • If you are unable to directly print to QB PDF converter
  • If the PDF converter reflects offline mode.

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Methods to Resolve the QuickBooks Unable to Create PDF Error

There can be certain solutions that can be implemented to fix the QuickBooks error unable to create PDF error. We will be exploring each of the methods one by one:

Method 1: Reinstalling Microsoft XPS

The first method that one can opt for is to reinstall Microsoft XPS. The steps involved in this process are as follows:

Reinstalling Microsoft XPS - Screenshot
  • To verify and ensure XPS services are enabled, you need to click on the Windows or Start button.
  • And then go to the Control panel.
  • After that you need to move to the System group and then hit a click on Uninstall/change a program.
  • Followed by clicking on Turn windows features on or Off.
Turn windows features on - Screenshot Image
  • Next step is to scroll down and make sure that the XPS services and the XPS viewer are enabled:
    • You need to put a check-mark in both boxes, and then hit OK tab. After that, test QuickBooks after switching on both services to see the issue is amended.
    • In case you identify both the options, and the problem persists, then you need to carry out the steps below:

Reinstall XPS Document writer in Windows 8

The steps to re-install XPS document writer in Windows 8 might differ from that for other windows version. Explorer the steps below, if you are windows 8 user.

  • You can take the mouse to the corner to reflect the start screen.
  • Select the Settings option.
  • Now hit a click on the Control panel.
  • Followed by selecting Devices and printers.
Printer control panel in the windows - Screenshot
  • Right click the Microsoft XPS document writer icon and then click on the Remove device option.
Remove Microsoft XPS document writer - Screenshot
  • Now click on yes to Confirm.
  • From the toolbar, and then press Add a printer and select Add a local printer/network print with manual settings.
Add a local printer or network print with manual settings - Screenshot
  • Followed by selecting PORTPROMPT- local port.
Use PORTPROMPT- local port - Screenshot
  • Hit Next tab.
  • Select the Microsoft and click on Microsoft XPS document writer v4 from the manufacturer list.
Microsoft XPS document writer v4 - Screenshot
  • Hit Next tab, and then select the Replace the current driver option and hit Next again.
  • Next step is to bring out the Version 4 to ensure the name is Microsoft XPS document writer.
  • And lastly click on Finish button.

Reinstalling XPS document writer for Windows 7 and Vista

If you are Windows 7 and Vista user, then the below steps would surely assist you in reinstalling XPS document writer.

  • In this, you are supposed to move to the Windows start menu.
  • And then select Drivers and printers.
  • Followed by right clicking the MS XPS document writer icon and then select Remove device.
  • Hit on Yes.
  • From the toolbar and then select Add a printer and then select Add a local.
  • The next step is to click and Select use an existing port.
  • After that select XPSPort- the local port and hit Next tab.
  • And then select Microsoft >> choose Microsoft XPS Document writer and hit Next tab.
  • Select replace current driver and you are good to go.

Related article: Learn How to Resolve QuickBooks Error 140305

Method 2: Download and run QuickBooks PDF and print repair tool

Another method to opt for is to download and run QuickBooks PDF and print repair tool from QuickBooks tool hub program. The steps to be followed for this are:

PDF Print repair tool from the QuickBooks tool hub - Screenshot
  • The first step in this process is to transfer and run QuickBooks print and PDF repair tool.
  • And then perform the .pdf file related task that originally leads to this error.
  • In case you find the error on the screen, the reboot the system and then try again.
  • Confirm to Print the XPS document author and then Save it as a PDF file.
  • You can save the XPS document author as a PDF file with the help of XPS document author elements.
  • Followed by opening the notepad and then typing in something.
  • Move to the File and then hit Print.
  • Next, select the XPS document author and then select the Print option.
  • And then select the desktop within.
  • Now move to the desktop and lastly, check if you can read the XPS document written from the tab.

Method 3: Run system file checker to repair MSXML 6.0

You are now supposed to run system file checker to repair the MSXML 6.0 that is built into windows 8. The system file checker is basically a facility given by Microsoft to repair the Windows system files:

For Windows 8:

  • The initial step is to press the Windows start button.
  • Type in the Command and then right click the same.
  • Followed by clicking on the Option on the bottom bar to Run as an admin.
Run as System Admin - Screenshot
  • If you are asked to Enter the admin password, then enter it and hit a click on OK.
  • The last step is to type SFC/scan now.
Run the System File Checker - Screenshot

For Windows 7 and windows vista:

You are supposed to run the system file checker to repair MSXML 6.0 built into Windows 7. The steps to be carried out are as follows:

  • Click on the Windows start option.
  • Select all programs and then press on Accessories option.
  • Right click the Command prompt and then select Run as admin.
  • Followed by entering the Admin password.
  • Type in SFC/scannow.

Read Also: How to reset password for QuickBooks admin and other users?

Method 4: Bypass the print spooler

  • To begin with, you are supposed to open Printer control panel in the Windows.
Printer control panel in the windows - Screenshot
  • Right-click the Microsoft XPS document writer.
Microsoft XPS document writer - Screenshot
  • Followed by selecting the Printer properties.
  • Next step is to hit a click on the Advanced tab and then click on the Print directly to the printer option.
Print directly to the printer - Screenshot
  • Save changes by clicking OK button.
  • To end the process, close Printer properties.

Method 5: Making a new template for the form

Create a new template for your form - Screenshot

You should generate a new template for the form and then for the transaction, and also you need to change the template. Also, create the .pdf file.

You may also like: How to Fix Outlook is missing in send forms preferences in QuickBooks?

Method 6: Managing Windows user permissions for XPS document writer

If none of the methods helped, you can opt for managing windows user permissions for XPS document writer. This might work up to a certain extent. The steps that one needs to opt for in this are as follows:

  • The initial step is to open the Printer’s control panel.
  • Right-click the Microsoft XPS document writer.
Managing Windows user permissions for XPS document writer - Screenshot
  • Also, press the option Printer properties.
  • Followed by clicking on the Security option.
  • Look for the everyone User cluster.
  • And then press Add tab.
  • You are then supposed to type in everyone and then click on the Check names option.
  • Hit the OK button and then press Print option and check-mark the row having allow Column and then hit OK button.
  • Moving ahead, move to C:\Windows\system32\spool in.
Managing Windows user permissions for XPS document writer - Screenshot 1
  • Right-click the Printers option and then click on the Security option.
  • Now hit a click on Edit and Add respectively.
  • Followed by entering the Local service.
  • Also, ensure that the local service is having Full control and then click OK button.
Windows Permissions for Common Files - Screenshot
  • The final step is to open QuickBooks and create a .PDF file.

Method 7: Check if reconcile window is listed

In case selecting reconcile from the banking menu locks up QuickBooks, but the PDF functions continue to work properly, then the reconcile window might appear off of the screen. You should follow the steps below:

  • Verify if the reconcile window is listed in the list in the Window menu.
  • And then select Close all.
  • The last step is to Start the reconcile process again.

Read Also: QuickBooks Point of Sale Error 175131 – How to Fix It?

To conclude!

We have ended the post here, with the hope that the information that we have shared in above might be of some help in fixing the QuickBooks unable to create PDF error. However, in case any of the query persists, feel free to call us anytime and discuss the issue with our industries best experts. Get in touch with our dedicated support team at 1-800-761-1787, and let our QuickBooks enterprise technical support team fix the error for you in least possible time.

FAQs

How to troubleshoot PDF issues by using QuickBooks Tool Hub?

The steps to resolve PDF issues using the Tool Hub are:
1. Run the Tool Hub.
2. Then go to Program Problems.
3. Now, choose QuickBooks PDF and Print Repair tool and allow the diagnosis.

How to change PDF viewer in QuickBooks?

1. From the Start menu, make a move for Settings.
2. In the Settings, go to the Default apps.
3. Now, make a choice for the option to Choose default apps by file type.
4. Now, opt for .pdf and hit on Choose a Default.
5. Opt for the PDF viewer.

Does QuickBooks require Adobe Reader?

Yes! PDF viewers like Adobe Reader can be used for accessing the PDF files in QuickBooks.

 

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How to Fix QuickBooks Error 80040408 – Could not start?

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How to Fix QuickBooks Error code 12038?

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