Common printing issues: troubleshooting

Printer issue: Images printing black

Of the thousands of people who have downloaded our homeschool planner and successfully printed at home, a small handful have reported that there is a printing issue where some images print with a black background.

This is a well-documented common issue when printing PDFs that contain graphics and isn't a fault with the PDF itself but a result of technical issues on the user end. Annoying, hey? But totally fix-able :) Keep reading...

This is how the black box issue looks

Please follow these troubleshooting steps below to work out why you may be experiencing these black boxes.

Try these 4 quick fixes FIRST

(90% of people who email us with issues find that one or a combo of these tips fix it instantly!)

Make sure you follow the printing instructions on our download page

1. Download files to your desktop first instead of printing straight from browser or mobile device.

2. Open files in Adobe Acrobat Reader (free program). Preview for MacOS is not recommended.

Sometimes certain printer models have known issues. Mulberry users have reported HP printers are notorious for this.

Google your printer model with the search term 'prints black boxes' to see whether there are specific instructions on support forums that may help.

Check you have the most recent version of your internet browser, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Printer Software.

Update your version of Adobe Reader check whether there are updates for Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Windows browsers. Try updating your printer drivers and/or printer software.

Isolate the issue to get more info on where the exact problem lies :

Try printing the same files with another laptop/desktop to your printer to see whether you get the same issue.

Print test pages at a library computer or print shop. If that prints without the black boxes, you'll know it's an issue with your device/printer setup.

Still not working? Try these more detailed troubleshooting steps.

If you have most recent version of Adobe Reader on your Windows OS, try this:

If you already have the updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, open the resource using Adobe and do the following:

Choose File –> Print
Click on Advanced
Check the “Print as Image” box and click OK.
Click the Print button

These instructions copied with gratitude from Little Learning Corner.

If you have most recent version of Adobe Reader on your Mac OS, try this:

For those on a Mac, there is no “advanced” box. Mac users need to click on the file, hold it down and press Command. Then, tell the file to open in Adobe.

After doing so, you should be able to print as normal.

Make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader – rather than a standard preview application on Macs or a web browser. Check Adobe Reader for recent updates. This is the most important step.

If you already have the updated version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, open the resource using Adobe and do the following:

Choose File –> Hold it down and press Command.
Tell the File to Open in Adobe.
Print as normal.

These instructions copied with gratitude from Little Learning Corner.

Finally, email the support team for your printer model

If the above troubleshooting tips don't work, please email the support team for your printer model (or search forums for answers as previously suggested). Different printer softwares and models 'talk' differently to PDF files, which in turn have to 'talk' to internet browsers and download settings, and often they don't all speak the same language :(