HP Printer Is Printing Blank Pages! (What Do I Do?)

What good is a printer that doesn't print?

Not much.

If your HP printer is spitting out blank pages, here's what you can do to troubleshoot the problem.

Why Is My HP Printer Printing Blank Pages?

There are a few reasons why your HP printer might be printing blank pages. Here are some things you can check:

Start With Your Printer Cartridges

• Make sure that the ink cartridges are installed properly and that they are not empty.
• Check your ink levels in the printer's control panel.
• If they are low or empty, replace your HP printer cartridges with new ones.

Checking printer supply levels with the HP Smart app on a Windows operating system.

Check Cartridge Alignment

• If you have recently replaced the ink cartridges, align them as per the printer's prompt.
• You can also align the print heads and cartridges through the maintenance menu on the front of the printer.

Faulty or Incompatible Cartridges

• Use genuine HP cartridges which are compatible with your specific printer model.
• Using incompatible, third-party, or faulty cartridges can lead to printing issues.

Update Your Print Driver

• Run a diagnostic test to make sure you are using the latest print driver for your printer.
• Download the most up-to-date driver from HP printer support.

Inspect Printer Settings

• Verify that the correct paper type and size are selected in the printer settings.
• Check and adjust the print quality settings, avoiding "economy" or "draft" modes, as they may result in faint or blank pages.

Check Paper Settings

• Improper paper alignment or loading can cause the printer to print incorrectly or not at all.
• Ensure the paper is loaded correctly in the tray and adjust the paper guides to align with the paper size.

Check Printer Hardware

• If your printer is still printing blank pages, there may be an issue with the printer hardware.
• Contact HP for assistance.

Checking your supply levels on a Mac operating system.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips for Blank Printer Pages

Here are some additional steps you can take to troubleshoot a printer that is printing blank pages:

Run a Test Page

This will help determine if the problem is with your computer software or your printer.

Clean the Print Heads

Regularly clean the printer's print heads and rollers. This may help to clear any clogs that are preventing the printer from printing properly.

Over time, the print head nozzles can become clogged, resulting in poor or no ink/toner being deposited on the page.

Most printers have a built-in cleaning function accessible through the printer software or control panel. Run the print head cleaning utility to clear any clogs.

Prevent Your HP Printer From Printing Blank Pages

Here are some tips to help you prevent your HP printer from printing blank pages:

• Keep the ink cartridges clean and free of debris.
• Store your printing supplies in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid overloading the printer with too many documents at once.
• Turn off the printer when you are not using it.
• Replace the ink cartridges when they are low on ink.

Rob Errera

Rob Errera is an award-winning journalist embedded in the world of printers and printing supplies. Rob has nearly two decades of experience writing about cutting edge technology, business trends, and the ever-evolving industry of printing.