After installing a printer, print a test page to verify that the printer is operating properly. The test page confirms that the driver software is installed and working correctly, and that the printer and computer are communicating.
Print Test Page
To manually print a test page in Windows 7, use the following path:
Start > Devices and Printers to display the Devices and Printers control panel
In Windows 7, right-click the desired printer and follow this path:
Printer Properties > General Tab > Print Test Page
To manually print a test page in Windows Vista, use the following path:
Start > Control Panel > Printers to display the Printers and Faxes menu
In the Printers and Faxes menu, right-click the desired printer and follow this path:
Properties > General Tab > Print Test Page
A dialog box asks if the page printed correctly. If the page did not print, built-in help files assist you in troubleshooting the problem.
To manually print a test page in Windows XP, use the following path:
Start > Printers and Faxes to display the Printers and Faxes menu. In the Printers and Faxes menu, right-click the printer and select Properties > General Tab > Print Test Page
Print from an Application
You can test the printer by printing a test page from an application, such as Notepad or WordPad. To access Notepad in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, use the following path:
Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad
In the blank document that opens, type some text. Print the document using the following path:
File > Print
Test the Printer
You can print from the command line to test the printer. Printing from the command line is limited to ASCII files only, such as .txt and .bat files.
To send a file to the printer from the command line in Windows 7, click the Start button. In the Search programs and files field, type cmd and then click OK. At the command line prompt, enter the command Print filename.txt.
To send a file to the printer from the command line in Windows Vista, use the following path:
Start > Start Search. In the Run box, type cmd and then click OK. At the command line prompt, enter the command Print filename.txt
To send a file to the printer from the command line in Windows XP, use the following path:
Start > Run. In the Run box, type cmd and then click OK. At the command line prompt, enter the command: Print filename.txt
Test the Printer from the Printer Panel
Most printers have a front panel with controls to allow you to generate test pages. This method of printing enables you to verify the printer operation separately from the network or computer. Consult the printer manufacturer’s website or documentation to learn how to print a test page from the front panel of the printer.
The installation of any device is not complete until you have successfully tested all its functions. Printer functions might include:
- Print double-sided documents.
- Use different paper trays for different paper sizes.
- Change the settings of a color printer so that it prints in black and white or grayscale.
- Print in draft mode.
- Use an optical character recognition (OCR) application.
For an all-in-one device, all the functions:
- Fax to another known working fax.
- Create a copy of a document.
- Scan a document.
- Print a document.
NOTE: For information on clearing paper jams, installing ink cartridges, and loading the paper trays, check the manufacturer’s documentation or website.