Missing Distiller error on saving a document as PDF

Last updated on Jul 19, 2024 | Also applies to FrameMaker (2017 release), FrameMaker (2019 release)

Learn how to resolve the missing Distiller issue in FrameMaker 2019 and 2017 release.

Issue

When you use the File > Save-As PDF feature in FrameMaker, you get an error message notifying you of the missing Distiller:

To execute "Save as PDF" command you must have Acrobat Distiller version 5.05 or higher installed. — Missing Distiller error message.

Reason

The Distiller application bundled with the installer requires the Visual C runtime libraries to install and run. However, sometimes, the Distiller application does not recognize the Visual C runtime libraries even if they are installed on your system. This failure to detect the Visual C runtimes causes the installation of PDF Creation Add-on to fail.

Workaround

Perform the steps corresponding to the installation method and FrameMaker version used for your setup.

Manual installation for FrameMaker (2019 release)

Download an updated version of the Distiller application from here.
In the FrameMaker (installer) package folder, navigate to the following folder location:

..\Adobe FrameMaker 2019 (64 Bit)\products\DIST
Extract the distiller.zip file.
In extracted folder, navigate to the following location:

\<distiller>\1\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64

Note:

<distiller> refers to the folder name where you have extracted the distiller.zip file.
Rename the existing distiller.msi file to distiller_original.msi.
Copy the updated Distiller package file you downloaded in Step 1 into the AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64 folder.
Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator and change the working folder to:

..\Adobe FrameMaker 2019 (64 Bit)\products\DIST\<distiller>\1\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
Run the following command:

DistillrStarter.exe en_US "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe"

The updated version of the Distiller application gets installed on your system. If the issue persists even after performing the above steps, then perform the additional steps given under the Additional steps for manual installation.

Manual installation for FrameMaker (2017 release)

Download an updated version of the Distiller application from here.
In the FrameMaker (installer) package folder, navigate to the following folder location:

..\Adobe FrameMaker\payloads\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
Rename the existing distiller.msi file to distiller_original.msi.
Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator and change the working folder to:

..\Adobe FrameMaker\payloads\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
Copy the updated Distiller package file you downloaded in Step 1 into the working folder.
Run the following command:

DistillrStarter.exe en_US "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe"

The updated version of the Distiller application gets installed on your system. If the issue persists even after performing the above steps, then perform the additional steps given under the Additional steps for manual installation.

Additional steps for manual installation

If the issue persists even after performing the above steps, then perform the following extra steps:

Open the setup.ini file (from the working folder location) in a text editor.
Working folder location for:
- FrameMaker (2019 release): \Adobe FrameMaker 2019 (64 Bit)\products\DIST\distiller\1\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
- FrameMaker (2017 release): \Adobe FrameMaker\payloads\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
Add the following line under the [Product] section:

CmdLine=IGNOREVCRT64=1
Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Change the working directory to the AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64 folder within the created package. For example, if the package is saved on Desktop, then the path of the AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64 folder in FrameMaker (2019 release) is:

C:\Users[username]\Desktop\Framemaker_15_x64_LREFDJ\Adobe FrameMaker 2019 (64 Bit)\products\DIST\distiller\1\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
Run the following command:

DistillrStarter.exe en_US "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe"

The updated version of the Distiller application is now installed on your system.

Installation using the CCP package

Download an updated version of the Distiller application from here.
In the FrameMaker (installer) package folder, change the working folder to:

..\Exceptions\AdobePDFCreationAddOn12_x86_x64
Rename the existing distiller.msi file to distiller_original.msi.
Copy the updated Distiller package file you downloaded in Step 1 into the working folder.
Open the setup.ini file (from the working folder location) in a text editor
Add the following line under the [Product] section:

CmdLine=IGNOREVCRT64=1

The updated file looks as follows:

Updated setup.ini file
Save and close the file.
Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.
Change the working directory to the Exception folder within the created package. For example, if the package is saved on Desktop, then the path of the Exception folder is:

C:\Users\[username]\Desktop\FrameMaker Package\Exception
Run the following command:

ExceptionDeployer.exe --workflow=install --mode=post

The updated version of the Distiller application gets installed on your system.

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