Why Won't My Word Document Save as a PDF?

You tried to enable Save as PDF in Microsoft Word but got an error message: Sorry, we couldn't find your file. Was it moved, renamed or deleted? What’s going on? Why won’t my Word document save as a PDF? Here are some possible causes.

❌ Software Glitch. There might be temporary issues with Word or your system.

❌ Microsoft Word is Outdated. Outdated software may not work properly due to compatibility or other issues.

❌ The File is Corrupted. When the Word document is corrupted, Microsoft Word cannot export it as a PDF file.

❌ System Issues. There is not enough space to save documents, and the system needs to be updated.

Quick Solution to Can’t Save Word as PDF

There are many reasons why Word won’t save as PDF, so you will need to spend some time troubleshooting. If you are in a hurry and want to save a Word document as a PDF file as soon as possible, try a professional PDF converter. A professional converter can quickly save a Word document as a PDF without hassle.

To help you complete the conversion more quickly, you can use a simple tool like SwifDoo PDF, a professional PDF editor, and a converter. It has an intuitive interface and a simple workflow, aiming to help users get the job done with minimal effort. Anyone, even those without any skills, can complete the conversion in a few clicks.

The good thing is that SwifDoo PDF can convert Word to PDF without losing formatting. After conversion, you will get a document that looks the same as the previous document but in PDF format.

Next, let's learn how to use SwifDoo PDF. To get the tool immediately, click the button below.

1. Open SwifDoo PDF. Click Convert and select the Office to PDF option.

2. On the pop-up window, add the Word document you want to convert. You can click Add Files to browse your device and select the file, or drag and drop the PDF into the box. SwifDoo PDF allows you to batch convert Word to PDF, so you can add all the files you need to convert.

3. Finally, save the output path and click Start.

After conversion, SwifDoo PDF will open the file in a new tab for you to check. Afterward, you can edit, annotate, compress, share, or print the PDF. Sounds good, right? Try to get the PDF file you want!

Don’t want to download software? In this case, go to this Word to PDF online converter to make it.

How to Fix Word Won’t Save as PDF

If you do not want to use a PDF conversion tool, whether it is a desktop program or an online tool, then you can try the following methods to solve the problem.

Fix 1. Restart Your Device

When you find Word won’t save as PDF, the first thing you should try is to restart your computer. Rebooting can fix some of the temporary glitches that can cause problems.

Fix 2. Check and Repair the File

If rebooting doesn't work, the next step is to check the file, which can help us determine whether the problem is the file itself or a software issue.

Try saving another file as a PDF file. If it works, this means something is wrong with the file you want to convert. If it still doesn't work, you can continue with the following method.

Due to improper saving, software crashes, or storage issues, Word documents may become corrupted, preventing them from being saved as PDFs. If you have a problem with the file, follow the methods below to fix it.

• In Word, create a new document.
• Go to the original document > Press Ctrl + A to select all content > Press Ctrl + C to copy.
• Switch to the new document and press Ctrl + V to paste.
• Try to save the file as a PDF.

Fix 3. Update Microsoft Office

The bugs in Word may prevent you from saving it as a PDF. Updating the software may help solve the problem.

• Open Microsoft Word.
• Go to File and choose Account.
• Click Update Options and choose Update Now.

If you purchased Office from the Microsoft Store, please go to the Store to make the update.

Fix 4. Repair Microsoft Office

Another method you can try is to repair the application. Microsoft has a built-in tool to help you fix Office applications. The steps are as follows.

• Right-click Start and choose Installed apps.
• Find Microsoft Office product. Click the three-dot icon and choose Modify.
• Follow the instructions to complete the process.

Fix 5. Try Microsoft Print to PDF

In fact, in addition to Save as PDF, Microsoft Print to PDF can help you convert a file to a PDF. It is worth trying when you encounter the "Word document won't save as PDF" issue.

• Open the file in Word.
• Click File and choose Print.
• Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.
• Click Print and select a location to save the file.

Check this guide if you can’t find the option:

5 Fixes to Microsoft Print to PDF Missing in Windows 10/11

Microsoft Print to PDF missing? No worries. This article explains why the problem occurs and how to fix it.

READ MORE >

Conclusion

That’s all about Word won’t save as PDF. I hope one of these methods can help you solve the problem. If none of these solutions work, you may consider updating your system or contacting Microsoft Support. Until you get more help, you can try a third-party PDF creation tool like SwifDoo PDF as a temporary solution.