Plotting a PDF from Revit, the text and appearance is suddenly disrupted

For the PDF issue where text and appearance is disrupted from Revit.

The PDF printing problem that you have encountered is a known issue caused by two recent Microsoft Windows updates. 

The confirmed solution is to locate and uninstall one of these two Microsoft updates, depending on whether your Windows version is 1909, 2004 or 20H2:

• KB5000808 - March 9, 2021—KB5000808 (OS Build 18363.1440)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/march-9-2021-kb5000808-os-build-18363-1440-6989940a-252d-48f3-a2a7-a42bf19fa2c8

Windows 10, version 1909, all editions

• KB5000802 - March 9, 2021—KB5000802 (OS Builds 19041.867 and 19042.867)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/march-9-2021-kb5000802-os-builds-19041-867-and-19042-867-63552d64-fe44-4132-8813-ef56d3626e14

Windows 10, version 2004, all editions

Windows 10, version 20H2, all editions

Here is the fastest method to locate and uninstall the offending KB update that your computer has.

• To confirm your Windows version, right-click Start and select Run and type in winver, then press enter (you can also hold the Windows key + R to open Run).

• If you see 'Version 1909' then locate and uninstall KB5000808.
• If you see 'Version 2004' or 'Version 20H2' then locate and uninstall KB5000802.
• To locate the offending KB article for your computer, go to Start and select Run and type in appwiz.cpl to take you directly to the Control Panel > Programs and Features.

• Click View installed updates:

• Next, search for the KB article that matches your Winver, 1909, 2004 or 20H2. 
• Note: Since this is a Windows security update, please check with your IT team before uninstalling it.

• You might also confirm that the other KB article is not installed by searching for it.  Normally there should be only one installed, either KB5000802 or KB5000808.
• If prompted to reboot, please do so before testing Revit again.
• Then test the PDF generation from Revit to confirm that it plots the PDF correctly.

For reference:

wushowhide - Show or hide Windows Updates

Update: March 23, 2021

We have received confirmation that for Windows 10 versions 2004 and 20H2,  installing the later Windows update KB5001649 solves the PDF problem in Revit, without uninstalling Windows Update KB5000808.

About the Author

Sr. Technical Support Specialist, Manufacturing<br><br>Bob Felton has been supporting Autodesk products for over 25 years including core AutoCAD, P&ID, Plant 3D, AutoCAD for Mac, AutoCAD Mechanical, and Vault. His background is in graphics with an Applied Sciences degree and ten years manufacturing experience drafting, as well as technical illustration, image editing, and even patent drafting.

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