Mar 27, 2019

Print icon in Google Docs open a pop up to save the file instead of print

I can't print on Safari or Firefox when I click on the print icon. Every time I click the print icon a pop-up screen appears to save the document instead of getting the print preview. I get this problem when I use Firefox and Safari but when I use Chrome I don't any problems.

I know I could just settle by using chrome but I would like to find a solution to this problem.

I attached a screenshot of each browser. (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari)

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Docs,Mac OS,Personal use

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Google user

Jan 9, 2020

HALLELUJAH! To fix Firefox, go to FireFox | Preferences and under General | Applications, scroll down 'til you find the PDF and change the action from Save File to Preview in Firefox. You should be able to print from there now (I can). Brilliant!! Thank you so much Jo!

Diamond Product Expert Jo S. recommended this

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Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Jan 9, 2020

Hi all,

This has to do with your browser settings (not with Docs or Google). If you're using Chrome, click on the 3 vertical dots at the top right and go to "Settings." Under "PDF," make sure that "Download PDF files instead of automatically opening them in Chrome" is disabled.

If you are using a different browser, you will need to check your PDF settings there as they may differ from Chrome's.

~Jo

Google Product Expert Volunteer (not a Google employee)

Diamond Product Expert Jo S. recommended this

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Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Mar 27, 2019

Hi there,

If the print panel works properly in Chrome but not in Safari or Firefox, it would point to interfering extensions as the likely source of the problem. Please disable or uninstall any browser extensions, plug-ins, add-ons, themes, ad blockers, antivirus apps, etc. that you have in those browsers. If the problem is resolved after you do that, you can re-enable them one at a time to locate the culprit(s).

~Jo

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All Replies (28)

Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Recommended Answer

Mar 27, 2019

Hi there,

~Jo

Original Poster BA Help Desk Assistants marked this as an answer

Google user

Oct 26, 2019

I am experiencing the same issue. GDocs prints normally in Google, sends file straight to PDF in FireFox with no option to make any alternate selection. I have no plugins or extensions whatsoever, it's virgin install of FireFox. Any other suggestions? For various reasons I need to use FireFox with this Google account.

DARLAMARIE BAKERRINGLEY

Oct 27, 2019

It's all been downloaded and I'll being printed out

Erin Proudfoot

Nov 15, 2019

I would like to chime in that I am having the exact same problem as the OP on my Mac. I swear this was working before just a few months ago and now isn't working. This is on my work computer and I was having an unrelated printing issue where he had to re-install / re-link the printer driver. Not sure if it's related, but seems likely?

Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Nov 15, 2019

Hi, Erin,

If your printer is cloud-based, it's possible that updating the print drivers disconnected it. I'd try removing and then re-adding the printer to Google Cloud Print.

~Jo

Saul Villalpando

Dec 19, 2019

If you're using FireFox you can select print from menu tab top right than select print.

Shelley Sadler

Jan 1, 2020

Saul, thank you! Had no idea there was another way to print in Firefox.

Becky Mack

Jan 9, 2020

Having the same issue - to print a google doc from a Firefox browser, I have to download a PDF first. This is not ideal. I really hope that Google fixes this quickly.

Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Recommended Answer

Jan 9, 2020

Hi all,

If you are using a different browser, you will need to check your PDF settings there as they may differ from Chrome's.

~Jo

Google Product Expert Volunteer (not a Google employee)

Diamond Product Expert Jo S. recommended this

Google user

Recommended Answer

Jan 9, 2020

Diamond Product Expert Jo S. recommended this

Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Jan 9, 2020

You are very welcome, Ame. I'm so glad that finally got it resolved for you! Thank you for explaining how users can do the fix on Firefox.

~Jo

Google Product Expert Volunteer (not a Google employee)

Kathy Jordan

Jan 21, 2020

I am using Chrome on my laptop. I followed the steps Jo posted above and I still cannot print to my printer. I registered my printer with Google cloud on the laptop so know that is not the problem. I have printed from this laptop to the printer I want to use, but Google docs is only giving me the PDF option when I click "print" or the printer icon.

Jo S.

Diamond Product Expert

I've been volunteering in the help forums since 2013. I do NOT work for Google.

Jan 21, 2020

Kathy, specifically which steps did you try? Did you see my post earlier in this thread about changing your Chrome settings?

~Jo

Google Product Expert Volunteer (not a Google employee)