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rubinmichael1955
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

 
Solved
Best answer December 04, 2019

Best Answers
MikiD
QuickBooks Team

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I know a way on how to get this sorted out, rubinmichael1955.


The last time I check, I was unable to see any changes in the settings. Also, I tried this in my account and I was able to do it successfully. 


One possible reason why you’re having the issue is that the pdf reader is damage. There are several users who were able to fix it by running the pdf repair tool. Below are the steps to do this:

 

  1. Go to QuickBooks Tools Hub. 
  2. Once there, select Program Problems. 
  3. Choose QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool. 


If this won’t work, you can proceed to solution two, three and four in this article: Troubleshoot PDF and Print problems with QuickBooks Desktop. 


Prior from doing these steps, you might want to make sure your QuickBooks release version is updated. 


Don’t feel any hesitations to post a question again if you need anything. 
 

View solution in original post

21 Comments 21
MikiD
QuickBooks Team

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I know a way on how to get this sorted out, rubinmichael1955.


The last time I check, I was unable to see any changes in the settings. Also, I tried this in my account and I was able to do it successfully. 


One possible reason why you’re having the issue is that the pdf reader is damage. There are several users who were able to fix it by running the pdf repair tool. Below are the steps to do this:

 

  1. Go to QuickBooks Tools Hub. 
  2. Once there, select Program Problems. 
  3. Choose QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool. 


If this won’t work, you can proceed to solution two, three and four in this article: Troubleshoot PDF and Print problems with QuickBooks Desktop. 


Prior from doing these steps, you might want to make sure your QuickBooks release version is updated. 


Don’t feel any hesitations to post a question again if you need anything. 
 

rubinmichael1955
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Thank you for taking the time to help me, your solution seems to have worked.

 

Mike

jocecampbell
Level 3

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I called Intuit about this today after trying ALL the things in the first reply by MikiD (and then some). I could NOT get QuickBooks Premier 2020 to save or print to PDF or XPS files. My 2018 and 2019 versions were printing just fine. Every time I tried in 2020, the program would freeze and I would have to use Windows Task Manager to crash out of it.

 

It seems that on Friday, 6/12/2020, a Win 10 release went out that was in conflict with the save or print to PDF settings in QB 2020. The current work around, until Intuit gets an update figured out, is to remove your logo from your invoice (or form) template. Uncheck the "use logo" box in the template. I use a background image for my invoice too, and apparently that is fine, it's just the logo. 

 

Hope this helps someone else and saves them from HOURS of attempting to repair with other tools! Good luck!

 

 

fanbergbrothers
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Wow! I have spent hours trying to fix this same issue, which even included sending invoices by email... Deleting the logo was the only fix that has worked thus far! Thank you!

SWCabs
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I have also spent hours trying to fix this and support was less than helpful. Thank you for posting here so we could all have the correct fix to this issue.

Ryan_M
Moderator

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Hi @SWCabs,

 

I can understand how this issue can affect your business. Allow me to point you in the right direction for support.

 

At this time, our product engineers are working with Microsoft to take care of a recent Windows update that caused the issue you mentioned above. I suggest you contact our Technical Support team so they can add you to the list of our affected users. This way, you can get a notification email whenever there's an update. You can refer to this investigation number: INV-47379.

 

  1. On your QuickBooks homepage, go to the Help menu.
  2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
  3. Tap the Contact us button.

Feel free to utilize the comments below if you have other questions. I'll be sure to get back to you. 

jocecampbell
Level 3

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Who knew that could fix it, right? I'm so glad I was able to help others!

jocecampbell
Level 3

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Thank you, Ryan_M for the info and the update on the investigation number.

 

When I called ProAdvisor tech support yesterday, the automated system sent me to QuickBooks Online support at first, not desktop support; and then it took quite a bit of time on hold before the tech was able to find the workaround for me.  Which is to say I'm not surprised that two others commented they were unable to get help with this issue.

 

The tech person I spoke with did not suggest adding me to a list of affected users, so that part is new, too, thank you. Though with how awkward the tech support phone system was, I must admit I'm not exactly inspired to call back in just to get on an email list.

MCS07055
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I was having the same problem for the last few days. But after unchecking the logo, it worked great. Thank you so much.

Rebel1
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I have been messing with everything to fix this. How did you figure out it was the logo? THANK YOU for posting about this!!!! Most of my customer's want their invoices emailed and it was a pain to print, scan and send since the pdf wasn't working.

LilCamper77
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! This is a temporary work around that I can at least work with until the fix is released.  I've lost almost 3 full days of work, spent 2 hours on the phone with QB support, had the file escalated and went through huge stress because of this whole issue.  Who knew it would be such a simple fix... thank you for posting this.  It was a life saver!!

Hiteck1
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

The way to get you logo back in is not to use a jpg but use a bmp file. Worked for me. Good luck.

Hiteck1
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

If you don't use a jpg for the logo but use a bmp file it works fine. Good luck.

laninani
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Thank you -- I spent all day yesterday trying to figure this out! 

QuickBooks -- if this post was two weeks ago, why are we still waiting for an update? 

workerbee100
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I can not thank you enough for this post.  I have been trying to fix for 2.5 days.  I took logo off and email and pdf work with invoice.  Again, Thank you so much.

workerbee100
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?


@jocecampbell wrote:

I called Intuit about this today after trying ALL the things in the first reply by MikiD (and then some). I could NOT get QuickBooks Premier 2020 to save or print to PDF or XPS files. My 2018 and 2019 versions were printing just fine. Every time I tried in 2020, the program would freeze and I would have to use Windows Task Manager to crash out of it.

 

It seems that on Friday, 6/12/2020, a Win 10 release went out that was in conflict with the save or print to PDF settings in QB 2020. The current work around, until Intuit gets an update figured out, is to remove your logo from your invoice (or form) template. Uncheck the "use logo" box in the template. I use a background image for my invoice too, and apparently that is fine, it's just the logo. 

 

Hope this helps someone else and saves them from HOURS of attempting to repair with other tools! Good luck!

 

 


Thank you so much!!! I have been looking for days not hours. 

MorganB
Content Leader

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I'm so glad to see you found the info you were needing, workerbee100. You're always welcome here in the Community if you ever need assistance again in the future. Take care!

djd1
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

QB 2018 user on Windows 10. The Save as PDF feature stopped working for me after an automatic Windows update. Instead of getting a PDF of my invoice, I was seeing files like "7224Intuit_QBOB_Internal." I tried: 1) removing the logo from my template (and unchecked the logo box), 2) running the QB Print & PDF Repair tool 3) checking the permissions on my XPS printer were set to Allow and 4) saving Notepad files as XPS and ensuring they opened (it all was fine). None of these steps fixed the issue in QB.

 

I found that a workaround that I hope will help others. Instead of choosing Save > Save as PDF go to File > Print Invoice and select the Printer name as Microsoft Print to PDF. Only then could I save my invoice as a PDF.
QB Support, you should be issuing a bug fix for this! Wasted hours trying to troubleshoot. 

Sanya Agrwal
Level 2

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

I Have tried this step but it did not work for me I am still getting the same issue QuickBooks cannot complete the current action due to a missing component  Please tell me how can I solve this issue?

 

 

Thank you

Highnesscloud Hosting

AileneA
QuickBooks Team

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

Hello, Sanya Agrwal. 

 

I'm here to ensure that you'll be able to get through with the error you've encountered in QuickBooks. When requesting a print invoice, checks, or reports you may encounter an error QuickBooks can’t complete the current action due to a missing component.
 

It generally happens when QuickBooks is unable to communicate with the default printer. You can easily fix it using the QuickBooks print & PDF repair tool. 

 

Causes for this problem

 

  • PDF or Print components are damaged or missing
  • QuickBooks Desktop isn’t up to date

 

Things to do before starting with the troubleshooting steps. 

 

A. Update QuickBooks Desktop: 

 

  • Close QuickBooks
  • Press and hold down the Ctrl key from the keyboard. Make a double click on the QuickBooks Desktop icon. Don’t release the keys until QuickBooks is open on your computer. You’ll see No Company Open window
  • Go to Help, then select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
  • Click on Update Now tab to the top.
  • Tap Get Updates.
  • Once QuickBooks update successfully click on Close

 

B. Create a Company File Backup. 

 

  • Open QuickBooks.
  • Go to File, and click Back Up Company. Then Create Local Backup.
  • Now follow onscreen instructions to create a company file backup. 

 

Then, download and Install QuickBooks Tool Hub

 

  • Download QuickBooks Tool Hub and go to your download by pressing CTRL+J.
  • Under your downloads list click on QuickBooksToolsHub.exe.
  • Click Yes to allow this app to make changes.
  • Now click on Next to install it and then click Yes again for accepting the license agreement.
  • Press on Next and then Install (It may take some time).
  • Once the installation is complete click on Finish.

 

Step 2: Run Print and PDF Repair Tool.

 

  • Open QuickBooks Tool Hub
  • Go to Program Problems > QuickBooks Print & PDF Repair Tool
  • It may take some time to repair
  • Once it’s completed. Try to print again in QuickBooks

 

Now try to print or save the PDF in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

If the above two steps don’t work, please proceed further with the below steps to fix.

 

Step 3: Reset the Temporary Folder Permission. 

 

  • Press Windows+R keys together to open the Run command
  • Type %temp% and click OK
  • Make a right-click on the blank area and choose Properties
  • Select the Security tab
  • Ensure that all group and user name have Full Control permissions

 

Step 4: Ensure that XPS can Print

 

In QuickBooks, XPS only works with PDF or email issues. It uses the part of the XPS document writer to save as PDF. 

 

  • Press Windows+R keys together to open the Run command
  • Type Notepad and click OK
  • Type TEST in the notepad and click on File > Print
  • Choose Microsoft XPS Document Writer
  • Click Print
  • Give a name to the file and save on Desktop
  • Close the Notepad and go to the Desktop and open the notepad you print usin XPS Document Writer

 

If you can print outside from QuickBooks, ensure that the right printer is selected in QuickBooks.

 

If you cannot print outside from QuickBooks, you may need to troubleshoot some printer issues or contact the manufacturer support.

 

Step 5: Check Printer Settings

 

  • Restart your printer and computer
  • Now press Windows+R keys to open the Run command
  • Now type Control and click OK
  • Choose Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers
  • If the printer status is Offline make a right-click on Use Printer Online
  • If the documents in the queue to print, cancel all of them
  • Now print the test page again

 

After following all the above steps you’ll no longer face an error QuickBooks Can’t Complete the Current Action Due to Missing Component but incase it still exists, you can speak with our customer support team for a quick resolution. 

 

Please know that I'm just a Reply away if you have any other concerns with QuickBooks Desktop. I'll be around to help you out. Thanks for coming to the Community, wishing you continued success. Stay safe!

Sherryjs69
Level 1

QB doesn't save my invoices as a .pdf file any longer and my customers cannot open them unless I manually convert them. Is there a setting to change?

THIS WORKED!!! Oh thank you so much - I've moved QB2018 to a new computer. I've uninstalled and reinstalled 3 times, I've done gone into the QB Tool Hub and the the QB PDF and Print Repair Tool no less than 5 times. I just keep looking for a solution and this worked! 

I hope they can fix this soon but for now, this isn't a big work around.

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