Crashes when trying to PDF files on all apps

I have a brand new 2022 MacBook air with all the bells and whistles. Ive only had it about a month. For some reason whenever I try to PDF anything I get the rainbow spinning wheel of death and have to force quit the app i'm using.


This happens when I try to PDF in any app: Pages, Numbers, Word, Excel, Preview, etc.


I thought the new PDF button from the print window would be great but it freezes when I press it. It also freezes when I use the drop down and choose 'save as pdf' or 'open in preview'. It sometimes works when I go to file>export as PDF but if i'm trying to export multiple screenshots into one pdf it only chooses the first file to PDF.


I didnt have this problem with my old 2015 MBP so im shocked this is happening with a brand new air.


Any help would be greatly appreciated!

MacBook Air, macOS 13.0

Posted on Dec 1, 2022 12:24 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 5, 2022 08:39 AM

An extreme test would be to reset the printing system and try this with no printers added. This will delete your printers and your preferences files - presets, custom paper sizes, etc. Or, if you have multiple printers added, try changing the active printer to another (AirPrint?) printer.


Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem - Apple Tugi (EE)



Hope this helps.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 5, 2022 08:39 AM in response to noelanjanae

An extreme test would be to reset the printing system and try this with no printers added. This will delete your printers and your preferences files - presets, custom paper sizes, etc. Or, if you have multiple printers added, try changing the active printer to another (AirPrint?) printer.


Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem - Apple Tugi (EE)



Hope this helps.

Dec 4, 2022 02:44 PM in response to noelanjanae

Greetings noelanjanae,


If you are having difficulty with your Mac, begin by making sure all available software updates are installed, since this can typically resolve abnormal behavior that you might experience with your Mac:


Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support


If any issues remain after updating, create a new, test user account on your Mac, to see if the issue remains there. This can help us determine if there may be a user setting, app, or more on your user profile that may be contributing to the behavior:


Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support


"Create a new user or group.

Click the New Account pop-up menu (you may be asked to enter your password), then choose a type of account.

  • Administrator: An administrator can add and manage other users, install apps, and change settings. The new user you create when you first set up your Mac is an administrator. Your Mac can have multiple administrators. You can create new ones, and convert standard users to administrators. Don’t set up automatic login for an administrator. If you do, someone could simply restart your Mac and gain access with administrator privileges. To keep your Mac secure, don’t share administrator names and passwords.
  • Standard: Standard users are set up by an administrator. Standard users can install apps and change their own settings, but can’t add other users or change other users’ settings.
  • Sharing Only: Sharing-only users can access shared files remotely, but can’t log in to the computer or change settings. To give the user permission to access your shared files or screen, you may need to change options in File Sharing, Screen Sharing, or Remote Management settings. See Set up file sharing and Share the screen of another Mac.
  • Group: Groups allow multiple users to have the same access privileges. You control a group’s access to your shared folders by setting access permissions in the File Sharing options in Sharing settings.

See Add a user or group."


Take care.

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Crashes when trying to PDF files on all apps

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