Blank Printouts in Microsoft Word: Troubleshooting and Fixes

Have you ever encountered the issue of a blank printout in Microsoft Word? This can be quite frustrating, especially if your document is perfectly fine on the screen but turns out to be a blank page when printed. In this article, we will explore the causes of this issue and provide practical solutions to fix the problem. Whether you have a minor margin issue or a more complex problem related to document settings, this guide will help you get to the bottom of it.

What Causes a Blank Printout?

There are several reasons why a blank page might print from Microsoft Word. Here, we will discuss the most common causes and provide step-by-step solutions to address them.

1. Formatting Marks Displayed

Sometimes, when printing, Microsoft Word displays formatting marks. These marks are not visible on the screen but are printed on the paper. If you see a blank page with only formatting marks, it could be because these marks are being printed inadvertently. To ensure that formatting marks are not causing a blank printout, you can follow these steps:

tPress Ctrl *? (asterisk) on your keyboard. This will toggle the display of formatting marks. If the dots are spaces, the pilcrow (?) is the end of a paragraph, and the back arrow with a vertical line indicates a page break, you need to remove or adjust these marks. tSelect the formatting marks on the blank page and delete them. This can be done using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl A to select all, and then Ctrl Delete to delete the selected content.

By removing these marks, you should be able to print a correct document.

2. Page Margins and Printer Margins

If a blank page is printed every other page, it could be due to the page margins in your document being larger than the printer’s margins. To check and adjust these settings:

tOpen your document in Microsoft Word. tGo to the Layout tab. tClick on the small arrow in the lower right corner of the Margins group to open the Margins dialog box. tCompare the margins in your document with the printer’s margins. If your margins are larger, adjust them to match the printer’s settings.

Alternatively, you can check the Printer Margins in the printer driver settings to ensure they align with your document's margins.

3. Long Pages or Empty Page Settings

Another reason for a blank page could be that a page in your document is slightly taller than the page height of your printer. This can cause an empty page to be printed. To solve this issue:

tCheck the document for very long pages. Split these pages into multiple pages if necessary. tIf you are using a PDF merging tool or similar, check the document for any settings that print an empty page between documents. Turn off this feature if it is enabled.

Conclusion

Blank printouts in Microsoft Word can be a common issue, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve this problem efficiently. From adjusting formatting marks to checking page margins and ensuring document consistency, this guide has covered the major causes and solutions. If you continue to experience issues, it might be helpful to provide more specific information about the problem.