While viewing or printing your payroll tax forms, statements and other documents, some crucial Windows components and applications are always required. If you’re having inappropriate Windows print components and improper QuickBooks Desktop applications, it is obvious to bump into QuickBooks unable to locate PDF viewer problems.

This error usually emerges when the device on which reports or statements are accessed to view doesn’t have a PDF viewer installed. To completely eliminate this error, make sure you have enough knowledge of Windows print components like Adobe and XPS viewer.

The following error message will pop up on your screen when printing or viewing forms in QuickBooks Desktop:

“Unable to Locate PDF Viewer. You need PDF software to view and print this reconciliation report.”

To fix QuickBooks unable to locate PDF file Intuit, you can try running the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool, setting Adobe Reader as the default PDF viewer and some other solutions as explained in this blog.

For better or instant assistance, reach out to our dedicated experts at +1-802-778-9005.

eBetterBooks: Quick Fixes

Problem: QuickBooks is not responding, and the PDF converter also shows offline if there are issues with your operating system or if you have a poor Internet connection.

Solution: You are recommended to install QuickBooks Tool Hub and run the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool to fix common printing or emailing-related problems.

Problem: Adobe Reader is not set up as the default pdf viewer in QuickBooks Desktop

Solution: Setting Adobe Reader as the default PDF viewer is essential as QuickBooks provides in-built integration with this Windows print component and allows you to print your payroll tax forms or statements.

Problem: Adobe Reader is outdated, corrupted or partially installed on Windows

Solution: You need to repair, update and reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader so that whatever issue your PDF reader having can be fixed at the earliest and you are allowed to access your payroll tax forms in a PDF format.

Problem: Qbprint.qbp file is either damaged or missing from the Installation Directory due to incomplete installation or if viruses, malware or any software-related bug create conflict with your accounting software.

Note: Qbprint.qbp file contains information related to your printer set up or form customization and also a data line for each in QuickBooks Desktop.

Solution: Renaming the Qbprint.qbp file helps to resolve QuickBooks unable to locate PDF viewer in QB Desktop issue as QuickBooks desktop generates a new file from default settings whenever you try to change the name of this file.

Problem: QuickBooks is unable to complete the task due to the missing or inappropriate print components

Solution: Running a system file checker tool to repair MSXML 6.0 is the best solution ever. It is basically a facility offered by Microsoft to repair Windows system files and make your printer able to print forms or reports in save as PDF mode.

Problem: QuickBooks could not save your forms, statements or reports as a .pdf

Solution: To find QuickBooks PDF Viewer, check if you can print to your XPS document writer, as sometimes the issue lies with your document writer, which doesn’t let you print your forms, statements or reports.

Reasons why QuickBooks Fails to locate PDF Viewer in Your desktop?

QuickBooks unable to locate PDF Viewer problem usually emerges due to outdated Windows print components or if you encounter issues while configuring QuickBooks Desktop application. This prevents your accounting software from locating PDF viewer and leads you to the most common causes listed-below:

This error may appear if QuickBooks is not responding, and the PDF converter also shows offline.
You may notice QuickBooks unable to locate PDF Viewer if Adobe Reader is not set up as the default pdf viewer in QuickBooks Desktop.
Your PDF reader or preferred program is out of date and needs an update.
Adobe Reader is outdated, corrupted or partially installed on Windows.
Qbprint.qbp file is either damaged or missing from the installation directory.
Due to missing or inappropriate print components, QuickBooks is unable to complete different business tasks and fails to locate the PDF Viewer.
QuickBooks could not save your forms, statements or reports as a .pdf.

Best Troubleshooting Methods to Fix “QuickBooks Unable to Locate the PDF File” Error in Intuit

To resolve QuickBooks unable to locate PDF Viewer problem, there are various solutions discussed which will help you to print or view your forms, statements, reports and other documents. Let’s see how:

Solution 1: Install QuickBooks Tool Hub & Run the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool

If QuickBooks is not responding, and the PDF converter is also showing offline, then you are suggested to install QuickBooks Tool Hub and run the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool to fix common printing or emailing-related problems.

The steps for the same are as follows:

Step 1: Install QuickBooks Tool Hub

To begin with, close QuickBooks and download the latest QuickBooks Tool Hub version.
Now, save the file somewhere you can easily access it, such as your Downloads folder or Windows desktop. Always remember that if you have already installed Tool Hub, you must find out which version you have. For this,

Hit the Home tab, and the version will display in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Also, choose About to view the version option.

After this, open the file you downloaded named QuickBooksToolHub.exe and follow all the on-screen instructions to install and agree to the terms and conditions.
Once the installation finishes, click the Windows desktop icon twice to open the tool hub Program.

Step 2: Run QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool

Choose Program Problems under the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
Now, click on QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool. It will take a few minutes to run.
When the tool finishes, try to print, email, or save as a PDF from the QuickBooks application once again and check for the error status.

Solution 2: Set Adobe Reader as the Default PDF Viewer

Setting Adobe Reader as the default PDF viewer is essential as QuickBooks provides in-built integration with this Windows print component and allows you to print your payroll tax forms or statements.

Go to the Start menu and then choose the Control Panel.
Now, select Programs and click on Default Programs.
Once you jump to the next window, choose Set your default programs.
Scroll down to the page and click on Choose default apps by file type.
After this, select the current default app for the .pdf file format and click on the app you want to make the new default.
At last, locate and select Adobe Acrobat Reader under the Programs list or any other application for PDF viewing you have already installed on your device.

Solution 3: Repair, Update or Re-install Adobe Reader/Acrobat

Note: Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader automatically check for updates when you open the programs. If a new version is available, you’ll be prompted to install it.

You need to repair, update and reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader so that whatever issue your PDF reader having can be fixed at the earliest and you are allowed to access your payroll tax forms in a PDF format.

Update Adobe Reader

Firstly, open the official Adobe Acrobat Reader download page.
Now, note down the product version displayed on the screen.
From the Help tab, select About Adobe Reader.
After this, check if the Adobe version shown on the official website and the version you noticed earlier is similar to each other or not.
However, if not, go to the Help icon and click on Check for Updates.
In the end, follow the on-screen prompts to update the PDF viewer.

Repair Adobe Reader

The initial step is to close Acrobat/Reader and all open web browser windows.
Now, press the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen.
Type the Control Panel in the search bar and then press the Enter key.
After this, choose the Programs and Features.
Select Acrobat or Adobe Reader, then click Uninstall/Change.
Hit the Next tab under the Setup dialog box.
Choose the Repair option, then press Next.
Select Install.
Once done, click Finish.
Restart your system.
Finally, log back into QuickBooks Online, then try to print.

Uninstall & Reinstall Adobe Reader

Firstly, shut down the Acrobat/Reader and all open web browser windows.
Now, press the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen.
Write down the Control Panel and then hit the Enter tab.
Choose Programs and Features.
After this, select Acrobat or Adobe Reader, then click Uninstall/Change.
Press Yes to confirm.
Navigate to the web page for Adobe Acrobat Reader download.
Select the option Install Now and then click on the correct Windows version from the drop-down menu.
Once the update file is installed successfully, click the Run icon and then hit on Finish.

Solution 4: Rename Qbprint.qbp File

Renaming the Qbprint.qbp file helps to resolve QuickBooks unable to locate PDF viewer in QB Desktop issue as QuickBooks desktop generates a new file from default settings whenever you try to change the name of this file.

Firstly, open the QBPrint.qbp file.

Remember: You may have to display hidden files and folders or search for files using Windows to find these files in Windows.

Windows 10: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 20XX. Here 20XX represents the version of your QuickBooks

Server 2012: C:\Program Data\Intuit\QuickBooks year and C:\Users\**remote user**\AppData\Roaming\Intuit\ YEAR VERSION\TSPrinterSettings

Note: Terminal Service users report finding duplicate copies of the Qbprint.qbp file with the stored client data files; check twice all folders for odd instances.

Hit right-click on the QBprint.qbp file for your QuickBooks version and choose the Rename option.
Add the word .old at the end of the file name i.e. QBPrint.qbp.old.
Locate QuickBooks Desktop.
To finish, select Printer Setup from the File menu.
Select any transaction in the Form Name list and select OK. This will create a new QBprint.qbp file. Note: You do not have to do this for every transaction.
Try to open and print any transaction.

Solution 5: Repair MSXML 6.0

Using a system file checker tool to repair MSXML 6.0 is the best solution ever; you must try it at least once. It is basically a facility offered by Microsoft to repair Windows system files and make your printer able to print forms or reports in save as PDF mode.

Here’s how you can do the same:

For Windows 8.1 or Windows 8

The very first step is to click the Windows start button.
Now, enter Command Prompt in the Search box and then right-click on the same.
Select Run as Administrator, and if you are prompted to enter the admin password or for a confirmation, input the password or press Allow.

To finish, write down the following command to run SFC/Scannow.

For Windows 7 or Vista

To do this, click Start and then write down Command Prompt or cmd in the search box.
Now, hit right-click on the Command prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
If you are asked to enter an administrator password or give a confirmation, type the password and press Allow.

Command prompt and choose Run as Administrator

In the end, type in the command to run SFC/Scannow.

Solution 6: Checking Your Microsoft XPS Document Writer Setup

To resolve your Save as PDF or Email issues, check if you can print to your XPS document writer, as sometimes the issue lies with your document writer, which doesn’t let you print your forms or reports.

Below are the steps to test your XPS document writer:

For this, open Notepad and then type Test.
Now, navigate to File and then select Print.
Choose the XPS Document Writer, and click Print, then enter a filename.
After this, save it to your desktop and hover over your desktop, then view the XPS document you printed from the notepad.
If you can’t open the file, it indicates that there is some issue with your Microsoft XPS Document Writer.

Summing it up!

Viewing and printing PDFs in an accounting system is important to get the output of your financial data. In Quickbooks, an error in locating the PDF viewer could be due to multiple reasons such as damaged windows print components or misconfigured QuickBooks Desktop application.

If the problem persists in your software or is not getting resolved anyhow, feel free to contact our experts if you want to tackle the issue in a hassle-free manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix QuickBooks missing PDF component error?

To fix QuickBooks’ missing PDF component error, update QuickBooks to the latest version, install Microsoft XPS Document Writer, repair Adobe Reader installation, and ensure PDF functions are enabled in your printer settings. Restart QuickBooks after-ward.

Why QuickBooks unable to locate PDF viewer happened offend?

QuickBooks often encounters the “unable to locate PDF viewer” issue due to outdated Adobe Reader, missing or corrupted PDF components, or incorrect settings. Regular software updates and verifying PDF-related configurations can help prevent this recurring problem.

Unable to locate QuickBooks PDF Viewer Windows 10 and Windows 11?

To fix QuickBooks’ “unable to locate PDF viewer” issue on Windows 10 and Windows 11, update Adobe Reader and QuickBooks, ensure PDF components are installed, and set Adobe as the default PDF viewer. Reinstall the Microsoft XPS Document Writer if needed, then restart your computer.

How do I change my default PDF viewer in QuickBooks on Windows 10?

To change your default PDF viewer in QuickBooks on Windows 10, you need to set Adobe Acrobat Reader (or another PDF viewer) as the default. Here’s how you can do it:

Click the Windows Start menu.
Press the Settings icon (the gear symbol).
Select Apps from the options.
On the left pane, choose Default apps.
Scroll down to find .pdf under file types.
Click on the current default program and choose Adobe Acrobat Reader (or your preferred PDF viewer) from the list.
If prompted, select Switch anyway to confirm the change.

Disclaimer: The information outlined above for “How to Fix QuickBooks Unable to Locate PDF Viewer Problem?” is applicable to all supported versions, including QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Accountant, and Enterprise. It is designed to work with operating systems such as Windows 7, 10, and 11, as well as macOS.

Navigation