How to print a test page for faded printer colors

Your printout looks pale, one color seems missing, or photos come out dull even though they look bright on screen. A test page can help you tell whether the issue is the printer, its supplies, or a print setting.

The Printer Test Page includes color blocks, gray steps, lines, and text. Print it on paper and check the patterns before you change several settings or run repeated cleaning cycles.

Print a test page

Open the Printer Test Page. Look over the colors, gray steps, lines, and small text on screen so you know what to compare on paper.
Load clean, plain white paper that matches the paper setting you plan to use. Check that the stack is aligned and that the paper guides are snug, not squeezing the sheets.
Open the browser's print dialog with Ctrl + P on Windows or Command + P on a Mac. Choose the printer you want to check.
In the print options, choose color rather than grayscale or black-and-white. Set the paper type to plain paper and turn off draft or economy mode for this comparison. The names and locations of these options vary by printer.
Print one copy. Let it dry if your printer uses ink, then inspect it in even light. Compare the printed blocks and lines with the test page on screen, but do not expect the paper to match the display exactly.

If your printer driver does not show the paper or quality options in the browser dialog, print with its normal settings first. You can change the options in the printer's own preferences and run the page again if needed.

What the printed result means

All the colors are present but look pale

If every color block is visible but weak, check for an economy or draft setting, the wrong paper type, or a low supply level. Plain paper can make colors look less vivid than photo paper. If the page is also pale when printed at a normal or high quality setting, inspect the ink or toner and try the printer's own maintenance test.

One color is faint or missing

A missing or very weak color often points to a clogged inkjet nozzle, an empty or poorly seated cartridge, or a color setting that is disabled. On a laser printer, check that the matching color toner cartridge is installed and has usable toner. The browser test can show a color problem, but it cannot identify a specific cartridge or nozzle by itself.

Colors have gaps, stripes, or broken edges

Lines through a color block or breaks in printed text can indicate blocked inkjet nozzles, a printhead alignment issue, or a supply problem. Paper that feeds crookedly can also make lines look uneven. Use your printer's maintenance menu to run its own nozzle check or alignment page before repeating the browser test.

Gray steps look tinted or uneven

Gray steps that lean toward a color may indicate that color balance is off, one color is weak, or the printer is using a different color mode than expected. Compare the gray on paper in neutral light. A warm room light or a tinted sheet can affect what you see.

The page looks better after changing print settings

If switching from draft to normal quality or from grayscale to color restores the blocks, the printer may be working properly. The earlier setting was reducing ink or toner, or changing how colors were combined. Keep the setting that matches the job, and use a higher quality mode only when the result needs it.

How to fix faded printer colors

Check the print settings. In the print dialog, confirm color printing is selected and draft, toner saver, or economy mode is off. On Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, select your printer, then open its printing preferences if available. On macOS, open System Settings › Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and check its options or the settings in the print dialog. Driver names vary by model.
Confirm the paper setting. Match the setting to the paper in the tray. Choosing photo paper when plain paper is loaded, or the reverse, can change ink use and color. Try a fresh sheet of plain white paper for the test.
Check ink or toner levels. Use the printer's display or its maintenance software to check the supplies. A level estimate can be inaccurate, but an empty or warning-level cartridge is worth investigating. Make sure each cartridge is seated correctly and that any protective seal was removed when it was installed.
Run the printer's own quality check. Find the nozzle check, print quality report, or similar maintenance option in the printer menu or its manufacturer-provided utility. If an inkjet nozzle check shows gaps, follow the printer's instructions for one cleaning cycle, then check again. Repeated cleaning can use a lot of ink.
Check for a grayscale or color adjustment. Look for settings such as black-and-white, grayscale, color correction, or saturation in the printer preferences and the app you are printing from. A setting in the app can override what you chose in the printer dialog.
Update or reinstall the printer driver. If the same page prints incorrectly from more than one app, get the correct driver or printer utility for your exact model from its manufacturer. Restart the computer and printer after installing it.

When the printer or cartridge may be faulty

If the printer's own quality page and the browser test both show the same missing color or repeated streak, the problem is probably not just the document or browser. If a new, compatible cartridge does not help, the printhead, drum, transfer system, or another printer part may need attention. These parts differ by model, so check the manual or ask the manufacturer before taking the printer apart.

For a printer under warranty, save the test page and note which colors or lines are affected before contacting support. If the printer is older, compare the cost of a replacement part or repair with the cost of a replacement printer. Do not touch a laser printer's imaging drum or internal parts that the manual identifies as hot.

Why a browser test and printer test can differ

The browser page checks what your printer puts on paper from a standard set of patterns. It does not run the printer's internal nozzle, alignment, or toner diagnostics. If the browser page looks poor, use the printer's own report to narrow down the cause. If its report looks good but a particular document is faded, check that document's print settings and the app's color options.