Print to PDF Not Working in Citrix: Remote Application Printing Fix

Print to PDF in Citrix Fix

software

dateDec 3, 2024

statusRESOLVED

time to fix5 minutes

Incident

Accounting team accessing Closer's Choice via Citrix couldn't save reports as PDFs. One user couldn't print at all. The other could print to physical printer but had to photograph each page and email pictures to herself. Microsoft Print to PDF wasn't mapping through to the virtual session. Installed PDF24 locally - appeared in Citrix immediately. Problem solved in 5 minutes.

Problem

symptoms:

├ User 1 ·· Print to PDF did nothing, no error

├ User 2 ·· Could print to physical, then photograph

└ Impact ·· "not professional and so many extra steps"

The workaround of photographing printed pages was creative but completely unsustainable for a professional reconciliation service.

Why Microsoft PDF Doesn't Work

Classic Citrix printing gotcha:

[X] local-only ······· saves to server, not your machine

[X] no mapping ········ doesn't register as redirectable

[X] PDF vanishes ······ saves to server temp or disappears

Key insight: Need a PDF printer that Citrix Workspace recognizes as a "client printer" and can redirect through the session.

Solution

Install PDF24 on the LOCAL machine (not in Citrix). It properly integrates with Citrix client printer redirection.

installation:

1. Install PDF24 on LOCAL machine

2. Download: apps.microsoft.com/detail/XPFD51H3VQZFM0

3. Restart Citrix Workspace or log out/in

4. PDF24 appears in Citrix printer list

5. Print to PDF24 → saves to local Downloads

Why PDF24 Works

PDF24 advantages:

├ real driver ········ registers in Windows spooler

├ port redirect ······ uses virtual port Citrix can map

├ local save ········ PDF generated client-side

└ no server install ·· nothing needed on Citrix server

Outcome

time to fix5 minutes

cost$0 (PDF24 is free)

steps eliminated13 (print→photo→email→save)

Key takeaways:

→ MS Print to PDF doesn't work with Citrix redirection

→ third-party PDF printers install as proper drivers

→ install on LOCAL machine - maps through automatically

→ elaborate workarounds often have 5-minute fixes

Get Help

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