How to Fix QuickBooks Missing PDF Component Error

Encountering the QuickBooks Missing PDF Component issue is a common challenge for users, which disturbs the functionality of PDF-related tasks in QuickBooks. This problem may arise from various factors such as an incomplete installation, outdated software, damaged Windows components, or incorrect user permissions.

An incomplete installation may occur due to interruptions or corruption during the installation process. This can result in an error in the PDF component. Similarly, using an outdated version of QuickBooks or failing to keep the software up to date may lead to compatibility issues. This might also lead to the missing PDF component problem. Corrupted or missing Windows components can also play a role in this issue. Users may need to repair or reinstall QuickBooks to address these issues effectively. Overall, understanding and addressing the factors contributing to the ‘QuickBooks Missing PDF Component’ problem is essential for restoring seamless PDF functionality within QuickBooks.

What is the QuickBooks PDF Missing Component Error?

Many QuickBooks users utilize the app’s printing feature or save files as PDFs for security and other purposes. However, they might encounter an error message stating, “QuickBooks Can’t Complete the Current Action due to a Missing Component PDF.” This error means that QuickBooks is unable to save the file as a PDF, leaving it inaccessible due to a missing component. 

The error message may not specify the missing component and might require further investigation. We offer a comprehensive guide to help you identify and resolve the QuickBooks’ Missing PDF Component While Installing’ error.

Main Reasons for QuickBooks Missing PDF Component Issue

The QuickBooks Missing PDF Component problem can stem from various factors, and identifying the root cause is important for resolving the issue. Here are common reasons behind the issue:

1. Incomplete Installation: If QuickBooks wasn’t installed correctly, the PDF component might be missing. This could occur due to interruptions or corruption during the installation process.
2. Outdated Software: Using an outdated QuickBooks version or neglecting updates can result in compatibility issues, including the absence of the PDF component.
3. Damaged Components: Corrupted or missing Windows components can also lead to the problem. QuickBooks relies on these components for proper functionality.
4. User Permissions: Inadequate user permissions can impede the PDF component’s operation. Ensuring users have the necessary permissions is essential for proper component access and utilization.

Common root causes of QuickBooks PDF Missing Component?

The QuickBooks Missing Component PDF issue can arise from various factors outlined below:

1. Outdated or damaged PDF converter / Adobe Reader / Acrobat programs.
2. QuickBooks itself being an older version missing some updates.
3. Microsoft XPS Document Writer is disabled or not installed/enabled.
4. Permissions problems: The Temp folder or XPS writer doesn’t have proper access rights.
5. Issues with the print spooler service, or the PDF converter being corrupt/damaged.

To resolve the QuickBooks PDF Error, users need to address these issues and be aware of the different symptoms associated with this error. 

List of Other Possible PDF Errors:

Several additional printing and PDF issues may accompany the “QuickBooks cannot complete the current action due to a missing component PDF” message. These include:

1. Issues connecting to the selected printer, Microsoft XPS Document Writer, on the XPS port.
2. Inability to save as a PDF file. 
3. Occurrence of Error 1722 or 1801 during PDF Converter installation.
4. Printing problems with the printer. 
5. Challenges printing transactions or reports.
6. Inability to print directly to the QuickBooks PDF Converter.
7. Encountering an unrecoverable error.
8. Print Driver Host for 32-bit Applications is not functioning.

Steps on Troubleshooting the Issue

If you’re facing a PDF missing component error in QuickBooks on Windows 11 then here are a few steps to troubleshoot the issue:

Repair QuickBooks Installation

Fix potential QuickBooks file corruption by repairing the installation:

1. Close QuickBooks and related processes.
2. Open the Windows Control Panel.
3. Navigate to “Programs” or “Programs and Features.”
4. Navigate to QuickBooks and select it, then click “Change” or “Repair,” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Update QuickBooks

Ensure QuickBooks is updated to the latest release:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Click “Help” and select “Update QuickBooks Desktop.”
3. Click “Update Now” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Check for Windows Updates

Ensure Windows is up to date:

1. Go to the Windows Start menu, and click “Settings.”
2. Select “Windows Update.”
3. Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

Repair or Reinstall QuickBooks

If the issue continues:

1. Uninstall QuickBooks via the Windows Control Panel.
2. Reboot your computer.
3. Reinstall QuickBooks using the original media or download from the official QuickBooks website.
4. Activate your QuickBooks license if needed.

Remember to back up your QuickBooks data before making major changes to prevent any data loss. Keep software and the operating system up to date to minimize compatibility issues.

Things to do Before Troubleshooting QuickBooks Missing PDF Component Windows 11, 10 

Before troubleshooting the QuickBooks missing PDF component on Windows 11, it’s important to take some precautionary steps to safeguard your data and ensure a smooth process:

1. Backup your QuickBooks data: Create a backup of your company file to avoid any data loss during troubleshooting.
2. Update QuickBooks: Ensure you are using the latest release of QuickBooks to benefit from recent bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
3. Check your printer: Confirm that your printer is functioning correctly by printing a test page from another application.
4. Restart your computer: Reboot your computer to resolve temporary issues and provide a clean slate for troubleshooting.

Fixing the PDF missing component error in QuickBooks

Solution 1: Utilize the ‘QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool’ to resolve the issue

1. Visit Intuit’s official website using a web browser and download the ‘QuickBooks Tool Hub.’
2. Save the ‘QuickBooksToolHub.exe’ file in the ‘Documents’ or ‘My Downloads’ folder.
3. Open the folder where you saved the file and run ‘QuickBooksToolHub.exe,’ and follow the installation steps.
4. Double-click the ‘QB Tool Hub’ icon on the Desktop and go to ‘Program Problems,’ then run the ‘QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair’ tool.
5. This should resolve technical issues and allow you to save and print PDFs in QuickBooks.

Solution 2: Adjust the ‘TEMP’ folder settings for necessary access rights

1. Open the ‘Run’ window with the ‘Windows + R’ keys, and enter ‘%TEMP%’ to access the ‘TEMP’ folder.
2. Right-click inside the ‘TEMP’ folder and select ‘Properties,’ then go to the ‘Security’ section.
3. Allow ‘Full Control’ access rights for all usernames then click ‘OK,’ and launch QuickBooks to save and print PDFs effortlessly.

Solution 3: Confirm Printing to XPS

For Save as PDF and Email issues:

1. Open Notepad and type something, then go to File, then Print.
2. Choose XPS Document Writer and click Print.
3. Save the XPS document to your Desktop.
4. Check if you can view the XPS document on your desktop.

Alternative solutions to resolve the QuickBooks PDF Component Missing Error:

To address the QuickBooks missing PDF component error, follow these steps below:

Solution 1: Upgrade QuickBooks to the Latest Version:

If you encounter the Missing PDF Component QuickBooks issue, then upgrading to the latest version can often resolve it. Here’s how to update QuickBooks both externally and within the application: 

External Update:

1. Open the QuickBooks Desktop drop-down list and select your QB product.
2. Enter details like Country, Product, and Version then click on ‘Search’. 
3. Click Get Latest Updates and choose Save.
4. Select a download location and install the downloaded file.

Internal Update:

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop, go to the File menu and choose Close Company or Logoff.
2. Click Exit from the File section.
3. Right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon and then choose Run as administrator.
4. Go to the Help menu, then select Update QuickBooks.
5. Click Mark all, save changes, tap Reset Update and then choose Get Updates.
6. Restart QuickBooks Desktop and confirm the update.

If the QuickBooks PDF Component Missing error persists, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Update and Repair Adobe Acrobat Reader

If an outdated or corrupted Adobe Acrobat Reader is contributing to the Missing PDF Component error in QuickBooks Desktop, you can resolve it by performing the following steps:

 Step 1: Check for Updates

1. Click the Windows Start icon and type “Adobe” in the search box.
2. Locate and click on Adobe Reader from the list of applications.
3. Under the Help tab, select “Check for Updates.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest updates.
5. If QuickBooks continues to detect a missing component required to create PDF files, proceed with the repair:

Step 2: Repair Adobe Acrobat Reader

1. Close all running applications on your computer.
2. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window.
3. Type “appwiz.cpl” in the Run box and press Enter.
4. Double-click on Adobe Reader and select Uninstall/Change.
5. Click Next, then choose Repair.
6. Click Next again and then hit Install.
7. Finally, click Finish to complete the process.

Solution 3: Activate MS XPS Document Writer to Fix the Missing PDF Component in QuickBooks Desktop

In this solution, we will guide you through resolving the “QuickBooks detected that a component required to create PDF files is missing” issue by activating Microsoft XPS Document Writer in the Windows feature settings. Follow the step-by-step process below:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type ‘appwiz.cpl’ and press Enter.
3. In the Programs and Features window, click on “Windows Features on or off” in the left pane.
4. Check the checkbox next to the MS XPS Document Writer option to enable XPS Document Writer.

Solution 4: Use Printer and PDF Repair Tool from QB Tool Hub

Download and install the QB Tool Hub on your system to access the Printer and PDF Repair Tool. This tool can resolve various printing and PDF-related issues, including the “QuickBooks has detected that a Component PDF is missing” problem.

Step 1: Download and Install the QuickBooks Tool Hub

1. Download Intuit QuickBooks Tool Hub from the official website.
2. Install it properly and launch the QuickBooks Tool Hub.

Step 2: Use Program Issues to Fix Print and PDF Issues

1. Double-click the QuickBooks Tool Hub icon to open it.
2. In the Home window select the “Program Issues” tab.
3. Choose the Print and PDF Repair Tool for QuickBooks. The repair process will take a short while.
4. Try printing or saving the PDF again. Check the status of the Missing Component issue in QuickBooks Desktop. 

Solution 5: Set the PDF Viewer as the default program

If you’re facing the QuickBooks PDF Missing Component error, it might be due to the lack of a default PDF viewer. Follow these steps in Windows 10 to resolve the issue:

1. Navigate to the Start menu and click the Settings icon. 
2. Select “Apps” and then go to “Default Apps.”
3. Scroll down to find .pdf and choose its default program.
4. Select QuickBooks Auto Locate PDF Viewer or any other installed PDF viewer from the list.
5. Click “Switch Anyway” to complete the process.

This should hopefully resolve the missing PDF component issue. 

Solution 6: Reset the permissions of the Temp Folder

To address the QuickBooks Missing PDF Component error, follow these steps:

Step 1: Reset the Temp Folder Permissions

1. Restart your device to resolve the QuickBooks Missing PDF Component error.
2. If the error continues, press the Windows logo and R keys to open the Run window.
3. Type %TEMP% and press Enter.
4. Right-click in the space of the temp folder and go to Properties, then navigate to the Security tab.
5. Set Full Control for all user names and groups in the Security tab.
6. After adjusting permission settings, try saving files as PDFs within the QB Desktop app.

Step 2: Confirm printing to XPS for PDF and email issues

1. Open Notepad to address the Missing PDF Component QuickBooks Desktop issue.
2. Type “Test” and go to the File menu, then select Print from the dropdown.
3. Choose the XPS Document Writer and click Print.
4. Name and save the file on the desktop.
5. Check if the XPS document printed successfully from Notepad.

Points to consider:

1. Verify print issues by printing to your printer outside of QB.
2. If printing through XPS Document Writer outside QuickBooks is causing errors, seek professional assistance to address the issue.

Solution 7: Test, adjust, and reinstall XPS Document Writer permissions (Users using Windows and not terminal services)

Before proceeding with these solutions note the following: 

1. Intuit does not provide support for Microsoft apps. So, they are not responsible for issues like Missing Components in QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Seeking help from IT professionals is recommended if you cannot resolve the problem yourself. 

Step 1: Run a Test on the XPS Document Writer and Print Outside the QB app

1. Go to the File menu and choose Print.
2. Select Microsoft XPS Document Writer from the printer list in the print window and tap Print.
3. Save the file with the .xps extension to an accessible place on your desktop.
4. Locate the .xps file on the desktop, and if errors occur when accessing or opening it, then consider reinstalling Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
5. If no file is visible and no errors occur while saving, then check if the ‘QuickBooks Component Repair Tool’ helps resolve the issue.

Step 2: Reinstall Microsoft XPS Document Writer

For Windows 8:

1. Navigate to the Start menu and go to System Settings, then choose the Control Panel. 
2. Tap Devices and Printers, select the Microsoft XPS Document Writer icon, and then tap Remove device.
3. Confirm the modification by clicking Yes.
4. Hit Add a printer from the toolbar and click Add a local printer or network print with manual settings.
5. Choose PORTPROMPT: (Local port) and then click Next in the Use an existing port.
6. Select Microsoft from the list of manufacturers, choose Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4, and click Next.
7. Click the Replace the current driver button, delete v4 from the printer name field, then click Finish and unmark the box to make XPS your default printer.

For Windows 7/Vista:

1. Go to the Windows start menu and navigate to Devices and Printers.
2. Select Microsoft XPS Document Writer, tap Remove Device, and confirm by clicking Yes.
3. Choose Add a printer from the toolbar, then Add a local printer.
4. Select Use an existing port, choose XPS Port (Local Port), then click Next.
5. Click Microsoft from the manufacturer’s list, select Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4, and click Next. 
6. Choose Replace the current driver and click Next to complete the process.

Solution 8: Adjust Security Software Settings

The security software settings, such as McAfee Firewall or Norton Antivirus, might also block the creation of .XPS files. Check and confirm that these settings are not causing any discrepancies. If the issue continues, then it’s advised to seek assistance from your system and network administrator or the vendor from whom you’ve acquired the security software.

Conclusion – Resolving the Missing PDF Component Error in QuickBooks

QuickBooks displays the “Missing PDF Component” error when it can’t locate or use the necessary system component for saving, printing, or emailing forms as PDFs. Common causes include a disabled Microsoft XPS Document Writer, missing or corrupted Adobe Reader/PDF drivers, wrong Windows feature settings, insufficient permissions in the Temp folder, or issues with QuickBooks’ internal print/PDF drivers. Fixing this usually involves updating QuickBooks, verifying XPS is enabled, running the QuickBooks Print & PDF Repair Tool, adjusting folder permissions, and reinstalling or repairing PDF-related software. If the issue persists, the BigXperts QuickBooks support team can help troubleshoot and restore full PDF functionality securely.

Frequently Asked Questions