How to print a test page
A printer test page can be incredibly handy for troubleshooting. Maybe your printer is having some issues and you want to try and get to the bottom of what’s happening. Or perhaps everything seems to be fine, but you just want to perform some routine maintenance to make sure your printer is running at its best.
Printing a test page can be a good way to check to see how your printer is running, and if there are any issues that need to be fixed. A printer test page can either be performed when there is a notable problem occurring with your printer, or as general maintenance to ensure everything is working at its best.
It can also be a good way to ensure your printer doesn’t sit unused for large amounts of time (which can cause problems like blocked printheads or other blockages).
Whether there’s an issue with your printer or you just got back from a short trip away, and want to print a page to keep everything ticking over nicely, learning how to print a test page is a great skill to have. There are a few different ways in which you can go about this. Today, we take a look at what a printer test page is, and how to print one for a variety of different operating systems.
What is a test page?
A test page goes by several different names – test print, test page for printer, and printer test page, to name a few. This test print can be completed when you wish to check how your printer is running, print a page to ensure the printer is not sitting unused for too long, or when you wish to troubleshoot an issue.
These pages can be printed in both black and white or colour, and can help you to identify a range of issues occurring with your printer, including alignment issues, and any blockages in printheads. Once a test print has occurred, you should be able to clearly see any issues, and these can then be dealt with accordingly.
How do I print a test page on my printer
The steps to printing a test page will differ slightly depending on the type of operating system you’re running. Below, we cover a few of the more common operating systems, and break down the steps for you.
How to print a test page with Windows 7
If you wish to print a test page, and your computer runs Windows 7, follow these instructions:
1.Click on the “Windows” button
2. Select “Devices and Printers”, this will open a new window
3. Locate the printer you wish to test under the “Printers and Faxes” section in this new window
4. Once you have decided on the printer, right-click on its icon, and select “Printer Properties”
From the menu. This will open up a new window
5. Click on the “Print Test Page” button at the bottom right of this window
6. Your printer should now be printing a test page!
How to print a test page with Windows 8/8.1
To print a test page while running Windows 8 or 8.1, do the following:
1. Right-click on the “Start” button, and select “Control Panel”
2. Once in the Control Panel, click on “View devices and printers” (Or “Devices & Printers” if you are in the Category view)
3. Right-click on the icon of the printer you wish to test, and select “Printer properties” from the menu
4. A new window will appear showing details about the printer. Click on the “Print Test Page” button at the bottom right of the window
5. Your printer should now be printing a test page!
How to print a test page with Windows 10
If you wish to complete a test page print and your computer runs Windows 10, follow these instructions:
1. Type “Devices and Printers” into the search bar at the bottom left of your screen (next to the Windows icon). 2. Select “Devices and Printers” when it appears.
3. Right-click on the printer you wish to test, and select “Printer properties” from the menu
4. A new box will appear, showing details about the printer. Select the “Print Test Page” button at the bottom right of this box
5. Your printer should now be printing a test page!
How to print a test page on Mac
For completing a test print with a Mac, do the following:
1. Click on the “Apple” icon, then select “System Preferences”
2. Depending on the version of Mac OS X you are running, next select either the “Print & Fax”, “Print & Scan”, or “Printers & Scanners” icon
3. Select your printer, on the left side of the window
4. Click on “Open Print Queue”
5. Select the “Printer” menu, and click on “Print Test Page”
6. Your printer should now be printing a test page!
Alternatively,
1. Click on the “Apple” icon, then select “System Preferences”
2. Select “Printers & Scanners”
3. Click on the button marked “Options & Supplies”
4. A new dialogue box should pop up, with the name of your printer. Click on “Utility” at the top right
5. Select the “Print Test Page” button, and click “OK”
6. Your printer should now be printing a test page!
Printing a test page doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task, simply follow the steps above that are applicable to your computer! There are many reasons why you may wish to print a test page, from wanting to see how your printer is currently operating, to ensuring a printer isn’t neglected, to troubleshooting an issue that is occurring to help determine what the problem is. Even if your printer is currently working well, it can be good practice to occasionally complete test page print to check for any underlying issues that may be occurring.
If you are still feeling confused about how to perform a test print, and are more of a visual learner, there are many free instructional videos available to help guide you through the process! Good luck, and may your printer work smoothly for many years to come!