HP Printer Test
Test your HP printer for color, black and white output, alignment, print quality, margins and scaling.
Works with HP inkjet and laser printers. Browser-based. No software required.
Test pages
Choose an HP Printer Test
Pick the test that matches what you want to check.
Printer Test
Complete check of black, color, lines and alignment. Start here if you're not sure which test you need.Color Printer Test
Check solid colors, gradients, tints and overall color output.Black & White Printer Test
Check black density, text sharpness, grayscale and black-and-white output.CMYK Printer Test
Check cyan, magenta, yellow and black channels individually.Printer Alignment Test
Check shifted, doubled or skewed lines and color registration.Printer Nozzle Test
Check missing segments and uneven inkjet output.Print Quality Test
Check text, lines, gradients and fine detail.Margin & Scaling Tests
Use the Printer Margin Test for clipped edges and the Scaling Test for incorrect physical dimensions.
Specialized tests
Start here
Not Sure What Is Wrong?
Not sure what is wrong?
Colors wrong or missing?
Black missing or faded?
White gaps or broken lines on inkjet output?
Text or colors appear shifted or doubled?
General streaks, fading or poor output?
Edges are clipped?
Printed dimensions are wrong?
Photos look wrong?
Workflow
HP Diagnostic Workflow
Print the printer's own test or diagnostic page.
Identify the visible problem.
Run the matching PrinterInspect test.
Follow the relevant troubleshooting page.
HP printer menus and diagnostic reports vary by model. Some models provide Print Quality Reports, alignment tools or other maintenance diagnostics. PrinterInspect does not replace HP's model-specific tools.
If the printer's own diagnostic page works but one document does not, investigate the document, application, driver or print settings.
Inkjet vs laser
HP Inkjet vs HP Laser
HP Inkjet
Focus on:
- nozzle output
- missing or broken lines
- ink status
- alignment
- paper/media
- print quality
HP Laser
Focus on:
- toner/output quality
- print density
- alignment
- paper/media
- quality diagnostics
Do not apply inkjet nozzle-cleaning advice to HP laser printers.
HP reports
Have an HP Print Quality Report?
If the HP printer provides a Print Quality Report or diagnostic page, print it first and inspect its patterns.
Depending on the model, the report may include text samples, color bars, alignment patterns or areas showing missing or streaked output.
Test patterns on this site are browser-generated. They are not official HP diagnostic pages.
Quick checks
Quick HP Checks
Work through these in order.
Use the correct paper/media type.
Check print-quality and color settings.
Check ink or toner status.
Compare the result with HP's own diagnostic page when available.
Do not replace cartridges immediately. Confirm the visible pattern first.
Compatibility
Which HP Printers?
Designed for HP DeskJet, ENVY, OfficeJet, LaserJet and other HP printers.
Test pages are browser-generated and are not official HP diagnostic pages. Applicability can vary by model, especially for inkjet-specific tests such as nozzle testing.
Before you print
Start with the right HP test
HP covers home inkjet printers, refillable tank printers, business inkjets, and laser printers. DeskJet and ENVY models are aimed at home use, Smart Tank models use refillable ink tanks, OfficeJet Pro models target small offices, and LaserJet models use toner. The technology decides what a test page can tell you.
On an inkjet HP, missing lines and color gaps usually point to the printhead or a cartridge contact problem. On a LaserJet, faint text, repeating marks, and gray backgrounds usually point to toner, the imaging drum, or the fuser. Running an inkjet cleaning cycle on a laser printer is impossible, and shaking toner will not help an inkjet, so confirm the family first.
HP's own diagnostic report is a useful companion to these pages. Print it, then compare its patterns with the larger test sheets here. A browser test page is easier to read at a distance, while the built-in report includes supply and alignment details that the browser cannot see.
Model families
Which HP series do you have?
The series name is printed on the front of the printer and shown in the HP Smart app.
| Series | Technology | Best for | Start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeskJet | Home inkjet | Everyday documents | Printer Test |
| ENVY | Premium inkjet | Photos and home office | Color Test |
| Smart Tank | Refillable inkjet | High volume color printing | Nozzle Test |
| OfficeJet Pro | Business inkjet | Small office workflows | Print Quality Test |
| LaserJet | Laser | Fast document printing | Black and White Test |
Step by step
HP print quality checks
Use HP Smart or the printer panel. Change one setting at a time and keep the printed sheets for comparison.
Print the quality report
Most HP models can print a print quality report or diagnostic page from the settings menu. It shows alignment blocks, color bars, and supply status in one place.
Clean the printhead or cartridges
On inkjet models run the built-in clean printhead routine, then print the report again. If the first pass improves the pattern but does not clear it, repeat once. Stop if there is no change.
Align the printhead
Run alignment after replacing a cartridge, after a deep clean, or when straight lines look stepped. Alignment improves registration but cannot recover a nozzle that is not firing.
Check supplies and paper
On LaserJet models check toner level, paper type, and the toner save setting. On inkjet models confirm that the cartridge or tank is seated and that the protective tape has been removed.
HP Smart can report supply health and offer guided cleaning. Those steps are model specific, so follow the app rather than a generic menu path.
Official sources
Manufacturer documentation
Menu paths change by model and firmware. Confirm the steps on the official support page for your exact printer before changing settings.
Known patterns
Problems HP owners see most
Streaks from a refilled cartridge
Refilled or third party cartridges can leak or foam at the nozzles. If streaks started right after a swap, reseat the cartridge, clean the contacts with a dry lint free cloth, and print the quality report.
Smart Tank prints missing a color
Check the tank level for that color and look for air near the tank outlet. A nozzle check and one cleaning usually restore flow. Do not top up a tank mid job without checking the fill line.
LaserJet text looks gray
Faint laser text can come from low toner, a toner save setting, thick paper, or a worn drum. Shake the toner once, use plain paper, and disable toner save before replacing the cartridge.
Repeating dots on laser output
A mark that repeats at a fixed distance is usually a roller or drum defect. Measure the spacing and note whether the mark appears on every page, then share that detail with HP support.
FAQ
HP printer testing: questions
How do I test my HP printer?
Start with the Printer Test if you're unsure which test to use. Otherwise choose the test that matches the visible problem.
How do I check HP ink or toner levels?
Use the printer's display, HP app or driver status. PrinterInspect cannot read supply levels.
What is an HP Print Quality Report?
Some HP models can print a diagnostic report with patterns such as text samples, color bars and alignment checks.
Why is my HP printer not printing black?
Check black supply, settings, cartridge installation and, on inkjet models, nozzle output. Use the black troubleshooting page for the next steps.
Why is my HP printer printing lines?
Identify whether the problem is a gap, streak, doubled line or color offset, then use the matching diagnostic page.
Do these tests work on HP LaserJet printers?
Yes. Browser-generated test pages can be printed on HP laser printers, but skip inkjet-specific nozzle advice.
Why is my HP printer printing streaks or blank pages with full cartridges?
Check the HP print quality report or printer status page first. Streaks can come from ink or toner, dirty rollers, or print settings. Blank pages with full cartridges can come from protective seals, cartridge seating, nozzles or a driver issue. Use the HP test links above to compare.
Should I use HP Smart or the browser test?
Use both. HP Smart reports supplies and alignment, while the browser test gives you a large, easy to read pattern for banding and color problems.
How many times can I clean an HP printhead?
Clean once, print the report, then decide. A second pass is reasonable if the first improved the pattern. Repeated cleaning without checking wastes ink.
Why does my LaserJet print a gray background?
Gray background can come from a worn drum, the wrong paper type, or a high humidity environment. Compare with the grayscale test and check the drum life before replacing toner.