Blank pages mean the printer is either not getting ink or toner onto the paper, or being sent an empty page by the computer. Print the printer’s own test page from its buttons first. If that comes out blank too, look for a seal left on, an empty or unseated cartridge, or dried ink.
If the printer will not print its own page, check for an error message or blinking light first. That usually names the problem, such as a jam, an empty tray or a missing cartridge.
What to do
Read the printer’s screen or look up the blinking light pattern in your manual.
Turn the printer off with its power button, wait a minute, and turn it on again.
Try the self-test again. If it still fails, contact the maker’s support.
Blank pages from a laser usually mean a protective strip was left on a new toner cartridge, the cartridge or drum is not seated, or the toner is empty.
What to do
Open the printer, remove the toner and drum, and check for any orange or plastic seal.
Reseat them firmly and close all covers.
Print the printer’s test page. If still blank, try another toner cartridge.
Blank pages have two sources. Either the printer gets the job but no ink or toner lands, or the computer sends a page with nothing on it. The printer’s own test page tells them apart, because it never touches the computer.[1] Match what you see below, print the test it names, then try the fix.
What you see
Likely cause
Test to print
First fix
The printer’s own test page prints, but jobs from the computer come out blank
The driver, app or file is sending an empty page[1][2]
This is a supply problem, not a connection problem. The printer received the job and fed the paper, but no ink or toner landed. On inkjets, check every level, remove any tape on new cartridges and run a nozzle check.[9][4] On lasers, look for a plastic seal on the toner or drum and reseat both.[13][14]
What if the paper doesn’t move at all?
If the paper does not move, the job never arrived, so this is not a blank-page fault. Clear the print queue, check that the right printer is selected, and restart the printer. If the computer lists the printer as offline, use the printer offline checker. For every case where nothing comes out, start at printer not printing.
Why do only some documents print blank?
If the printer’s test page and most files print but one does not, the file or app is the problem. Some files, often complex PDFs, can print blank on some drivers. Try “Print as image” in your PDF viewer, or print from a different app. See test page prints but documents don’t for more.
If pages are pale rather than empty, see faded printing.
Questions people ask
Why is my printer printing blank pages?
Either no ink or toner reaches the paper (empty, sealed, clogged or unseated cartridge), or the computer is sending an empty page. Printing the printer’s own test page from its buttons tells you which side the problem is on.
Why is my Epson printer printing blank pages?
On Epson inkjets, blank pages usually mean badly clogged nozzles or, on EcoTank models, air in the ink lines. Run a nozzle check; if it is blank, follow the cleaning steps and limits for your model on our Epson page.
What if no paper comes out at all?
If nothing comes out at all (no paper moves), the job is not reaching the printer. Clear the print queue, make sure the right printer is selected and not offline, and restart both the printer and the computer. Our printer-not-printing page walks through it.
Sources
[1]Blank pages when printing from Windows or Macintosh (Brother USA Support)Brother's way to split printer from computer: print the Printer Settings page from the machine itself (press OK or GO three times on many models). If it prints correctly, settings or a corrupt driver on the computer are the likely cause.
[2]How to Troubleshoot a Printer That’s Printing Blank Pages (HP Tech Takes article)HP: outdated or corrupted drivers are a frequent cause of blank pages, because the printer cannot interpret the data the computer sends. HP’s fix is to update or reinstall the driver.
[3]Blank pages when printing from Windows or Macintosh (Brother USA Support)Brother: if pages from the computer still print blank after checking the driver settings, uninstall and reinstall the printer driver.
[6]Canon : Inkjet Manuals : G5000 series : 1366 (Canon)Canon G-series tank printers with an ink valve: support code 1366 means the ink valve is closed. Open it by tilting the ink valve lever to the right.
[7]How to Troubleshoot a Printer That’s Printing Blank Pages (HP Tech Takes article)HP: on inkjets, if the ink levels look fine but pages come out blank, the ink may be dried or clogged, or air bubbles may be blocking the flow, so clean the printhead next.
[9]Blank Pages Print (ET-8500/ET-8550 User's Guide) (Epson)Epson’s fixes when blank pages print unexpectedly: check the paper size settings, use Skip Blank Page if the document itself has blank pages, run a nozzle check and clean if needed, make sure the right printer is selected, and check the ink levels.
[11]How to Troubleshoot a Printer That’s Printing Blank Pages (HP Tech Takes article)HP: on laser printers, blank pages most often come from empty or low toner, a worn drum, transfer roller or belt problems, or a toner cartridge with its shipping seal still in place.
[12]The printed pages are all blank. How can I improve the print quality? (Brother USA Support)Brother mono lasers (DR630 drum models): if the display says Replace Toner, the toner is at end of life. Otherwise, all-blank pages are usually fixed by cleaning or replacing the drum.
