Printer Prints Three Pages Instead of Two, With a Blank Page in the Middle

Troubleshooting Document Printing Issues: When Your HP LaserJet Prints Extra Pages and Blank Pages Mid-Job

Encountering print irregularities can be frustrating, especially when your printer behaves unpredictably. If you own an HP LaserJet Pro MFP M226dw and notice that it outputs more pages than expected—such as printing three pages instead of two, with a blank page inserted in the middle—this guide aims to help diagnose and resolve the issue efficiently.

Understanding the Problem

Based on user reports and technical observations, the primary concerns include:

• The printer producing an extra blank page between printed pages.
• The creation of additional pages regardless of the number of pages sent to print.
• The printer consistently inserting blank pages after every printed page.
• The issue persists even after resetting the printer hardware.
• The problem appears specific to the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M226dw; other printers function normally from the same laptop.

Potential Causes

Several factors can lead to this behavior:

1. Corrupted Printer Driver: Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause unexpected printing behavior.
2. Incorrect Print Settings: Printer or document settings may be configured improperly.
3. Firmware Issues: Outdated firmware can lead to hardware miscommunication.
4. Software Conflicts: Other applications or background processes may interfere with print jobs.
5. Page Formatting Problems: The document itself may contain hidden formatting that prompts extra pages.
6. Paper Handling or Sensor Malfunctions: Hardware issues like misaligned sensors can affect printing.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Update Printer Drivers

2. Visit HP’s official support website.

3. Download and install the latest drivers compatible with your operating system.

4. Perform a clean installation to replace any potentially corrupt driver files.

5. Check Printer Firmware

6. Access the printer’s embedded web server or control panel.

7. Navigate to the firmware update section.

8. Install any available firmware updates to ensure optimal performance.

9. Review Print Settings

10. Open the print dialog box from your computer.

11. Verify page layout settings (e.g., scale, margins).
12. Ensure that options like “Print cover pages” or “Print blank pages” are disabled.

13. Test printing a simple document with minimal formatting.

14. Test with Different Documents and Software

15. Print from different programs (e.g., Word, PDF viewer).

16. Use plain text documents to rule out formatting issues.
17. Check if