Select File > Print.
Last updated on
Oct 22, 2026
Learn how to resolve printing issues with the Adobe Illustrator when text or objects are missing, printing freezes, or options are unavailable.
When you print Illustrator documents to a non-PostScript printer, text or other objects may be missing, a system error or freeze may occur, or options in Print > Output may be unavailable.
Before troubleshooting, check whether the Illustrator file is damaged. Create a blank document and print it to the same printer. If it prints successfully, the original file may contain corrupted graphics or objects. If a system error occurs, restart your computer before proceeding.
The Print as Bitmap setting is incompatible with the printer
Change the setting and test the output. This option is available only when the selected printer driver supports bitmap printing.
Select Advanced in the Print dialog box.
Change the state of Print as Bitmap. If it is selected, clear it. If it is cleared, select it.
Select Print to test the output.
If the issue persists, return to Advanced and restore the original setting.
When Print as Bitmap is disabled, Illustrator uses Graphic Display Interface (GDI) information and the printer driver to create vector-based print data. This can print faster but may produce inconsistent results on some devices.
The printer driver is outdated, incompatible, or corrupted
Update or reinstall the printer driver.
Visit your printer manufacturer’s support website and download the latest driver for your printer model and operating system.
Uninstall the current printer driver in your system’s Device Manager.
Restart your computer.
Install the downloaded driver, then restart your computer again.
Test printing from Illustrator.
Network settings prevent the print job from reaching the printer
Test the printer with a direct USB connection.
Disconnect the printer from the network.
Connect the printer directly to your computer with a USB cable.
Confirm that your operating system recognizes the connected printer.
Try printing the Illustrator document.
If printing succeeds, contact your network administrator to resolve the network printer setup.
If the troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, try one of the following ways to print your artwork.
The printer cannot reliably process the Illustrator artwork
Save the document as a PDF and print it from Adobe Acrobat Reader.
In Illustrator, select File > Save As.
Select Adobe PDF from the format menu, specify the save location, and select Save.
Open the saved PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
In Acrobat Reader, select File > Print.
Illustrator’s rendering is incompatible with the printer
Print the artwork from another application.
Save or export the Illustrator file in a format supported by another application, such as TIFF, EPS, or PSD.
Open the exported file in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign.
Print from the other application. If the first format does not work, try another supported format.
The printer is incompatible with Illustrator’s graphics output
Print to a PostScript printer or another printer.
Locate a PostScript-compatible printer or another printer on your office network.
In Illustrator, select File > Print and configure the document to use that printer.
Print the document.
Some printer manufacturers, including HP and Epson, offer PostScript hardware upgrades or software add-ons for certain models. Contact the printer manufacturer to ask about compatibility options for your model.
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