I suddenly can't save a Word file as a PDF. I get the message: Sorry, we couldn't find your file. Was it moved, renamed or deleted?

Hi JulieBramer1,

I go through the post carefully, as for the issue, here are some suggestions:

1. Make sure you are using latest version of Office, go to File>Account to update office.
2. Perform Office online repair to fix Office if it doesn’t work correctly. For more information on how to do so, please check the link: **** Repair an Office application - Office Support
3. Save the document to other location, such as save it to desktop and check if you can save the document as pdf normally.
4. Open the document, go to File>Printer, select Microsoft Printer to PDF as printer, then click print button and check if you can export the document as PDF.

If suggestion above doesn’t help, could you please share information below with us for further troubleshooting?

1. What is your Office version? Could you please share a screenshot on your File>Account page with us?
2. Does the issue happen when you save other documents as PDF?

Regards,

Clark

Thank you for your quick response, Clark. I already saved the doc as a pdf by using the MS Printer to PDF option. However, the doc layout is 6x9 and it shows on an standard size page, which isn't ideal for my purposes, because it's for a book layout. I did come across a thread about using the ADF/A compliant option for the PDF, which I've been using for a long time. I unchecked the option, and I can now save the pdf using the Save As option, which is fine, unless I'm formatting a book (I format books for Amazon), and there are pictures with layering. The ADF/A option fixes layering issues. I'm not sure why all of a sudden I get the "Sorry, we couldn't find your file..." message when the ADF/F option is checked. It makes no sense. Do you know why?

Hi JulieBramer1,

Thanks for the updates, it seems that you can export the doc as PDF, and uncheck the option “ADF/A” option, as for the option, I would confirm with you if it is “PDF/A” compliant option? PDF/A is “a ISO-standardized subset of PDF” as you can see from description from the link: PDF/A FAQ – PDF Association. Some contents in your document will not be saved in this kind of PDF. I am not sure why the option causes the issue however we may narrow down and check, could you please share information below with us?

1. Does the same issue happen when you save other Office files as PDF with option “PDF/A” compliant on? This could tell us if the issue caused by some contents in specific document.
2. Did you change anything recently?
3. What if you save pdf from other non-office programs?
4. To check if the issue related to external printer, Does the issue happen after you update printer driver and Remove/Re add printer from PC?

Regards,

Clark

Don't bother. I appreciate your help, but it's way too time-consuming to try to solve the issue using this method. If there is a way to talk to a live person, please let me know.

1. It happens on other Word documents. For example, a docx file I saved as an ADF/A pdf on June 29th now gives me the sorry message (see attached screen shot). I believe this is the last time I saved a doc as a pdf with the ADF/A checked.
2. My system setup is the same. The only changes in the last month are from Windows Updates (see attached). I did notice that when I shut down, an app is running in the background after the 8/13 update, but the computer shuts down too fast for me t determine what it is...
3. I can't find any non-office programs with the option to save as a pdf.
4. I tried several fixes before contacting the community, and some of them involved the printer. I updated the driver and removed the printer and added it back. Nothing changed.

Let me know if you have additional questions. Thanks.