Sometimes, you may encounter the “QuickBooks detected PDF component missing” issue when dealing with PDF files in QuickBooks. This post from MiniTool PDF Editor shows you how to solve this issue in 5 ways.
QuickBooks Detected PDF Component Missing
QuickBooks is an accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit. The QuickBooks products are geared mainly toward small and medium-sized businesses and offer on-premises accounting applications as well as cloud-based versions that accept business payments, manage and pay bills, and payroll functions.
As we all know, things like bills usually use the PDF file format. QuickBooks allows you to create or print PDF files. However, when you deal with PDF files using QuickBooks, you may encounter the “QuickBooks detected PDF component missing” issue.
The specific error message may be as follows:
- QuickBooks detected that a component required to create PDF files is missing. This may cause issues with printing transactions, emailing forms, or saving anything as a PDF file inside of QuickBooks Desktop.
- Component required for PDF print from QuickBooks is missing.
If you encounter errors like the above two in QuickBooks, PDF-related functions may not be available.
Solutions to the QuickBooks PDF Component Missing Issue
If you have encountered the “QuickBooks detected that a component required to create PDF files is missing” issue, you can try the following methods to solve it.
Way 1. Update QuickBooks
Updating QuickBooks to the latest version may solve some bugs, including the “QuickBooks detected PDF component missing” issue. Here is the guide:
- Visit the QuickBooks Download and Update webpage.
- Select your QuickBooks product from the drop-down list.
- Provide necessary details like Version, Country, Product, etc.
- Click on Search.
- Click on Get Latest Updates and save the file
- Install the downloaded file to complete the update.
Way 2. Update and Repair Adobe Acrobat
In general, QuickBooks will use Adobe Acrobat as the default PDF tool. If Adobe Acrobat is outdated or corrupt, the “QuickBooks detected that a component required to create PDF” issue may occur. Then, you can update or repair Adobe Acrobat in the following steps:
- Open Adobe Acrobat and click Help > Check for Updates to get updates.
- Press the Windows logo key + R, type “appwiz.cpl”, and then press Enter. This will open a window. Select Adobe Acrobat and then click Change. In the Setup dialog box, select Next. Select Repair and then Next. Select Install. When the process is complete, select Finish.

Way 3. Update the Printer Driver
If the “QuickBooks detected PDF component missing” issue occurs when you print PDF files. This method may help. Here is the guide:
- Press the Windows logo key + I to open Settings and then go to Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select your printer from the list of devices, and then click Manage > Printer properties.
- Go to the Advanced tab and click on New Driver to open the Add Printer Driver Wizard.
- Follow the wizard to update the printer driver.
Way 4. Use QuickBooks Print & PDF Repair Tool
QuickBooks offers tools to solve the PDF-related issues. You can download and run it.
- Download and install QuickBooks Tool Hub from the official website.
- Open QuickBooks Tool Hub and go to the Program Problems tab.
- Select QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool and let it run. Then, check if the issue has been solved.
Way 5. Rename the QBPrint.qbp File
QBPrint.qbp file provides info like customization of your forms and printer set up to QuickBooks. If this file is corrupt, the “QuickBooks detected that a component required to create PDF files is missing” issue may occur. Renaming the QBPrint.qbp file can make QuickBooks create a new QBPrint.qbp file. Here is the guide:
- Press the Windows logo key + R, type “C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 20XX”, and press Enter to open this folder. XX in 20XX represents your QuickBooks Desktop version.
- Find the QBPrint.bp file in the folder and rename it. You can add .old at the end of the file name.
- Launch QuickBooks Desktop and select Printer Setup from the File menu.
- Choose any transaction in the Form Name list and hit the OK button. This action will prompt QuickBooks to create a new QBprint.qbp file.
Bottom Line
Have you encountered the QuickBooks detected PDF component missing issue? If so, you can try the above 5 methods to solve it.