But there are a few fixes and workarounds you can try to stop your printer from printing blank pages. Here’s what you can do to get your printer working properly again.

1. Print a Test Page

To check whether the problem is with your printer, run a test print. This can help you isolate the underlying issue. Maybe the print heads are not aligned, or there is inconsistent ink flow. Printing a test page can help you find out.

Here’s how to print a test page on Windows:

In the Windows Start menu, navigate to the Control Panel app. Click on the devices and printers option. Right-click on your printer and select Printer properties. Under the General tab, click on the Print Test Page button.

Follow these steps to print a test page on Mac:

Click on the Apple menu on the top left of the screen. Select System Preferences. Click on the printer icon. The option might be labeled Printers and Scanners or something similar. Under your printer, click on the options button. Click on the option Print Test Page under the Utility tab.

2. Restart Your Printer and PC

Many times, a simple reset can resolve the issue. Restarting your printer and rebooting your PC may clear up the issue that causes your printer to print blank pages. Here’s what you should do:

Press the power button on your printer to turn it off. When it shuts down, unplug it from your computer and the power outlet. Restart your PC. When your PC has restarted, plug your printer in and start it up. Print a test page to check whether it is working.

3. Fix Ink/Toner Cartridge Issues

The first step here is to ensure your ink cartridges are installed properly. Refer to your printer manual to remove and inspect them for any damage or incorrect installation.

If your cartridge is new, check to see whether the protective plastic has been taken off as it should be. Once you’ve made sure that your printer’s cartridges are properly fitted, check their ink levels.

Follow these steps to check ink levels on Windows:

From the Control Panel, go to the Devices and Printers option. Right-click on your printer and select Printer properties. Under the Maintenance tab, click on the View Printer Status button. Look under the Estimated ink levels section to see how much ink you have left.

Here’s how to check printer ink levels on Mac:

Open System Preferences via the Apple menu. Click on the Printers & Scanners option. Select your printer and click on the options button. The information you need should be under the Supply Levels tab.

Some printers allow you to check these levels directly from the screen on the printer. Here’s how to do that:

On your printer’s display, go into the setup or settings options. Look for a Tools option, and click on an Estimated Ink Levels option.

If the levels are low, you may need to change your ink or toner cartridges. Consult your manual on how to install printer cartridges.

4. Unclog the Print Head

The print head sits on the bottom of the cartridge and sprays ink onto the paper through microscopic holes. These tiny holes can get clogged, leading to imperfect or disordered printing. Simple clogs can often be cleared up by running a cleaning cycle, and here’s how. Just make sure to have paper inserted in the printing in-tray.

On Windows:

Go to Devices and Printers in Control Panel. Right-click on your printer and select Printer properties. Under the Maintenance tab, click on Maintenance and Preferences. Perform a regular cleaning or deep cleaning.

On Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners under the Apple menu. Under printer options, in the Utility tab, click on the Open Printer Utility button. Under the Control menu, select Maintenance. Click on Print Head Cleaning and follow the on-screen options to run a cleaning.

With more serious clogs, you’ll need to get hands-on. You can try cleaning the offending cartridge with a paper towel and moistening it with an alcohol-based solvent. Just make sure not to handle the electrical contacts on your cartridge, as this might render it unusable.

5. Align the Printer Cartridges

If your printer’s cartridges have not been installed properly, it could lead to misaligned or skewed printing. To align your printer’s cartridges, follow these steps on Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Right-click on your printer and select Printing Preferences. Under the Maintenance tab, click on Maintenance and Preferences. Look for the option to align the print head and follow the on-screen instructions.

Again, make sure to have paper inserted into the printer before you start.

6. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Running a troubleshooter for your printer should, in most cases, be able to identify and resolve the issue. Here’s how to run the printer troubleshooter:

Click on the Start menu and go to Settings. Click on Update & Security and navigate to the Troubleshoot tab on the left. You’ll find the printer troubleshooter under the Get up and running section.

7. Update Printer Drivers

Printer manufacturers often update their drivers. To keep your printer up to date, visit the driver webpage of your printer’s manufacturer and look for your model. Download and install the latest printer drivers and print a one-page document to check whether this has resolved the problem.

If you have conflicting drivers on your Mac, follow this guide on finding and correcting potential driver conflicts.

8. Print Directly to the Printer

Printer spooling generally allows for printing tasks to be completed faster and in the background, so they don’t use a lot of resources at once. But sometimes, it can also lead to blank or nearly blank pages being printed. Here’s how to disable printer spooling on Windows.

In the Control Panel app, go to Devices and Printers. Right-click on your printer and select Printer properties. Under the Advanced tab, select the Print directly to the printer option.

9. Check Whether You Are Printing Only Data

Certain print settings can play havoc with your prints. Try this Word-specific solution: uncheck the option to print only the data from a form under Microsoft Word’s advanced options.

10. Check and Reinstall Missing Fonts

Some printing errors can be caused due to missing or improperly installed fonts. Check to see whether the document you are trying to print has custom fonts. If it does, you may need to reinstall them for your prints to be accurate. There are many resources online where you can get free fonts.

Printing Without the Hassle

Errors in printing can cause you a lot of stress, partly because printers are complicated machines. But with these easy troubleshooting tips to solve the issue of your printer printing blank pages, you should be back to normal, hassle-free printing.