How to check printer quality after a firmware update

Your printer finished a firmware update, but the next page looks faded, streaky, misaligned or oddly colored. The update may have changed a print setting, or the problem may be in the driver, ink or toner. A controlled test helps you narrow it down before you run maintenance or change more settings.

Use the Printer Test Page to check color blocks, gray steps, lines and text. Print it with consistent paper and settings, then compare the result with an earlier page if you have one.

Print a repeatable test page

1. Open the Printer Test Page on the computer connected to the printer.
2. Load plain white paper that matches the paper size selected in the print dialog. Use the same tray and paper type you normally use.
3. Print the page using the browser's print command, Ctrl + P on Windows or Cmd + P on macOS. Select the printer you want to check.
4. Keep the print settings consistent. Choose the correct paper type and size, use the same color or grayscale mode, and avoid scaling the page to fit if the dialog offers a 100% or actual-size option.
5. Let the page dry, then inspect the fine lines, text, gray steps and color blocks in good light. If you have an older test page, compare them side by side.

Do not compare pages printed on different paper types or with different quality settings. Those differences can change color, sharpness and how much ink or toner the printer uses.

What the result means

Text and lines look clean, and colors are consistent

The printer is producing a reasonable result with the settings used for this print. If a particular document still looks wrong, check that app's print options, color settings and selected printer. A good test page does not guarantee that every app is using the same settings.

One color is missing or has gaps

Broken lines or pale sections in a color block can point to a clogged ink nozzle, an ink supply issue, or a toner or drum problem. A firmware update does not rule out a supply issue that happened around the same time. Check the printer's own supply and maintenance information before replacing anything.

Lines or text look doubled or shifted

This may indicate that print alignment changed, or that the paper moved as it fed through. If the whole page is shifted, check paper size and loading. If only colored edges are misregistered, use the printer's alignment procedure.

The whole page looks too dark, pale or tinted

First check the selected color mode, print quality and paper type. A wrong media setting can affect how much ink is laid down. If the same tint or lightness appears on the printer's own diagnostic page, the cause is more likely inside the printer than in the browser.

The test looks fine, but ordinary documents do not

The printer can make a good page, so focus on the document, application or driver settings. Check whether the app selected draft quality, grayscale, a different paper size or a color adjustment. Try printing the same document from another app to see whether the result changes.

How to fix the print quality

1. Check the paper and print options. Confirm the paper is loaded correctly and the size and type match the print dialog. On Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, select the printer and open Printing preferences. On macOS, open System Settings › Printers & Scanners, select the printer, then review the options in the print dialog for the next job.
2. Restart the printer and computer. Turn the printer off, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Restart the computer too, especially if the printer queue still shows an old job or error after the update.
3. Check ink or toner and run a quality check. Look for low or empty supplies, and make sure cartridges are seated properly. If a color is missing or lines are broken, use the printer's built-in nozzle check or print-quality report before running a cleaning cycle.
4. Use the printer's maintenance tools if the test points to them. For an inkjet, run a printhead cleaning only when the nozzle check shows gaps. For shifted lines, use the alignment option. On a laser printer, check the toner and drum as directed by the printer maker. Maintenance names and menus vary by model.
5. Check the printer driver and queue. A firmware update can coincide with a driver or operating-system change. Remove stuck jobs, then check the printer maker's current driver instructions for your operating system. On Windows 11, manage the printer through Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners. On macOS, use System Settings › Printers & Scanners to review or add the printer again if needed.
6. Review the firmware update notes before changing firmware again. Check the printer maker's instructions for known print-quality changes or required driver updates. Do not install an older firmware version unless the maker specifically supports that step for your model.

When the printer itself may be at fault

If the same defect appears on the browser test page and on a quality report printed directly from the printer's control panel, the browser and computer driver are less likely to be the cause. A missing color, repeated streak or persistent alignment problem can indicate a supply or printer component issue. Check the model's maintenance guidance and warranty before opening the printer or buying parts.

If the printer's own report looks good but the browser test page does not, check the computer's print settings and driver first. The browser test checks the printed output, but it cannot identify which internal printer part caused a defect.

Why a comparison needs the same settings

A firmware update can reset defaults or change how the printer handles a paper type, color mode or quality setting. A page printed in draft mode may look lighter than one printed at standard quality, even when the printer is working normally. To make a useful before-and-after comparison, keep the printer, paper, tray, driver, media type and print quality the same.

If the test page is clean but your regular prints are not, print the same document from another application before running more printer maintenance.