Missing PDF Component When Launching QuickBooks Desktop in Windows 11
Here’s the scenario:
You performed a first-time install of the latest version of QuickBooks Desktop software (Pro/Premier/Enterprise) on a computer running Windows 11
Upon launching QuickBooks Desktop, you get a “Missing PDF Component” window stating “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.”
QuickBooks Desktop requires the Microsoft XPS Document Writer to generate PDFs from within QuickBooks Desktop.
If you use a third-party application (ex: Adobe Acrobat) to generate PDFs and you do not use QuickBooks Desktop to generate and send PDF invoices by e-mail, you can check the “Do not display this message in the future” box to bypass this message going forward.
However, if you do use QuickBooks Desktop to generate and send PDF invoices by e-mail or do not use a third-party application to generate PDFs, you’ll need to install the Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
The steps to install the Microsoft XPS Document Writer may vary depending on which version of Windows 11 you are running.
If you are running Windows 11 prior to version 23H2:
Close your QuickBooks Desktop software
Go to Start | Settings | Apps | Optional Features
Scroll down and select More Windows Features
In Windows Features, scroll down until you see Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Check the box to select Microsoft XPS Document Writer then click OK. Windows will install the Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
After the installation is complete, verify the Microsoft XPS Document Writer has been installed. It should be listed in your available printers. To check, go to Start | Settings | Bluetooth & Devices | Printers & Scanners.
After verifying the Microsoft XPS Document Writer has been installed, launch your QuickBooks Desktop software. The “Missing PDF Component” window should no longer appear.
If you are running Windows 11 version 23H2:
Close your QuickBooks Desktop software
Go to Start | Settings | System | Optional Features
Scroll down and select More Windows Features
In Windows Features, scroll down until you see Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Check the box to select Microsoft XPS Document Writer then click OK. Windows will install the Microsoft XPS Document Writer.
After the installation is complete, verify the Microsoft XPS Document Writer has been installed. It should be listed in your available printers. To check, go to Start | Settings | Bluetooth & Devices | Printers & Scanners.
After verifying the Microsoft XPS Document Writer has been installed, launch your QuickBooks Desktop software. The “Missing PDF component” window should no longer appear.