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Fix Blank Pages – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Blank Pages

The printer feeds paper and appears to complete the print job, but the output pages are completely blank with no text or images. This frustrating issue can be caused by empty consumables, sealed cartridges, failed print heads, or transfer problems. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix blank pages on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

This problem is most often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Ink or toner cartridges are empty despite the printer not reporting low levels
  • Protective tape or seal not removed from a new toner or ink cartridge
  • Print head has completely failed or dried out on inkjet printers
  • Transfer roller failure on laser printers preventing toner from bonding to paper
  • Software sending blank pages or incorrect page range selected

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Test your printer after each step.

  1. Step 1: Check ink or toner levels and replace any empty cartridges
  2. Step 2: Remove and reinstall cartridges, ensuring all protective tapes and seals are removed
  3. Step 3: Run multiple print head cleaning cycles on inkjet printers to restore ink flow
  4. Step 4: Print a test page from the printer’s built-in menu to isolate hardware vs. software issues
  5. Step 5: Verify the document is not actually blank by checking it on screen and selecting the correct pages
  6. Step 6: For laser printers, remove and gently rock the toner cartridge side to side to redistribute toner
  7. Step 7: If using a new cartridge, try reverting to the old cartridge to verify the new one is not defective

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

Some printer brands require slightly different troubleshooting approaches. See the brand-specific guidance below.

Hp Printers

HP inkjet printers may print blank pages when the printhead (separate from cartridge on some models) has dried out. On HP printers with integrated printheads in the cartridge, replacing the cartridge replaces the printhead. On models with a separate printhead (like OfficeJet Pro), the printhead itself may need replacement.

For more Hp-specific troubleshooting, visit our Hp Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Canon Printers

Canon PIXMA printers printing blank pages may have a failed printhead assembly. Try the Deep Cleaning cycle 2-3 times. If blank pages persist, the QY6-series printhead may need replacement. Canon laser printers producing blank pages usually have a transfer roller issue.

For more Canon-specific troubleshooting, visit our Canon Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Epson Printers

Epson printers printing blank pages often have severely clogged nozzles. Try the Power Cleaning function if available. On EcoTank models, verify the ink tanks are not empty and that the ink is flowing by checking the print head for ink presence through the nozzle check utility.

For more Epson-specific troubleshooting, visit our Epson Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Brother Printers

Brother laser printers producing blank pages may have a corona wire that needs cleaning or a drum unit that has reached end of life. Remove the drum unit and toner assembly, clean the corona wire, and check if the toner is properly connected to the drum unit.

For more Brother-specific troubleshooting, visit our Brother Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Related Problems

Users experiencing blank pages often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer printing blank pages even though it has ink?

This is usually caused by clogged print head nozzles (inkjet) or a transfer issue (laser). On inkjet printers, ink may be in the cartridge but not flowing through the print head. Run the cleaning utility multiple times. On laser printers, the toner may not be transferring to paper due to a faulty transfer roller or corona wire issue.

I just installed a new cartridge and it prints blank pages. What should I do?

First, remove the cartridge and check that all protective tapes, clips, and seals have been removed. For toner cartridges, there is often an orange or yellow pull tab that removes a seal strip. For ink cartridges, check for tape over the ink ports or printhead contacts. If all seals are removed, the cartridge may be defective — try another new cartridge.

Can a software issue cause blank pages to print?

Yes, software issues can cause blank pages. Check that your document is not blank or has content on the pages you are printing. Some PDF files have blank pages inserted. Also verify you have selected the correct page range and that the document is using a font installed on your system. Try printing from a different application to isolate the issue.

Need brand-specific help?

This guide covers the general fix. For model-specific instructions, find your printer brand below and navigate to your exact model for tailored troubleshooting steps.