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How to Print a Test Page in Windows

Using the Test Page function is a good way to test the communication between the printer and computer. It is sent directly from the printer driver and thus enables a user to determine if the problem is related to a communication issue or an actual problem with the application that is being used.


Follow the instruction appropriate for your version of Windows:

Windows 10

  1. Open Devices and Printers, click here for instructions.

    2. Before continuing, do the following:

    • Check the connection from the printer to the computer.
    • Check the printer is powered on.
    • Make sure there are no red or amber lights on the printer's LEDs or error messages on the LCD panel.

  2. The Devices and Printers folder will open. An icon for your Epson printer should be present.
    Note:

    If an icon for your Epson printer is not present, the driver is not installed. Install the driver according to the method recommended in article Epson and Windows 10.

  3. In the Printers folder, first check that the print queue is clear and the printer is Ready. Click here for further instructions

  4. Right-click or tap and hold on the printer icon and left-click or tap on Printer properties. The printer properties window opens on the General tab.

  5. Load a sheet of plain A4 paper into the sheet feeder/paper cassette.


  6. Click or tap on Print Test Page.



  7. A Test Page will be sent to the printer and the following window will appear. If the Test Page prints successfully click or tap Close.



  8. An example of a successful Test Page is below.


Video Tutorial: How to Print a Test Page in Windows 10

Windows 8

  1. Move the mouse cursor to the bottom or top-right of the screen and click the Search icon (highlighted below) from the menu that appears.


  2. Type Control panel in the Search bar and press Enter.


  3. In Control Panel double-click Devices and Printers (Small/Large icon view) or click View devices and printers (Category view).


    Before continuing, do the following:

    • Check the connection from the printer to the computer.

    • Check the printer is powered on.

    • Make sure there are no red or amber lights on the printer's LEDs or error messages on the LCD panel.
  4. The Devices and Printers folder will open. An icon for your Epson printer should be present.


    Note:

    If an icon for your Epson printer is not present, the driver is not installed. Install the driver according to the method recommended in article Epson and Windows 8.


  5. In the Printers folder, first check that the print queue is clear and the printer is Ready. Hover the mouse over the icon that represents your product. A pop-up window will display its status.


  6. If there are no documents waiting to print, right-click on the printer icon and left-click on Printer properties. The printer properties window opens on the General tab.

  7. Load a sheet of plain A4 paper into the sheet feeder/paper cassette .

  8. Select Print Test Page.


  9. A Test Page will be sent to the printer and the following window will appear. If the Test Page prints successfully click Close.


  10. If the Test Page fails to print you may receive a warning from the Status Monitor or notification bubble e.g. "This document failed to print" or "Communication Error".

  11. An example of a successful Test Page is below:


    If there is banding in the text on the Test Page or the print quality is poor then head cleaning may be required.

Windows 7

  1. Click the  Start button and then click on Devices and Printers.


  2. Alternatively, type device in the Start Search box and press Enter or click on Devices and Printers.


    Before continuing, do the following:

    • Check the connection from the printer to the computer.

    • Check the printer is powered on.

    • Make sure there are no red or amber lights on the printer's LEDs or error messages on the LCD panel.

  3. The Devices and Printers folder will open. An icon for your Epson printer should be present.


    Note:

    If an icon for your Epson printer is not present, the driver is not installed. Install the driver according to the method recommended in article Epson and Windows 7.


  4. In the Printers folder, first check that the print queue is clear and the printer is Ready. Hover the mouse over the icon that represents your product. A pop-up window will display its status.


  5. If there are no documents waiting to print, right-click on the printer icon and left-click on Printer properties. The printer properties window opens on the General tab.

  6. Load a sheet of plain A4 paper into the sheet feeder/paper cassette.

  7. Select Print Test Page.


  8. A Test Page will be sent to the printer and the following window will appear. If the Test Page prints successfully click Close.


  9. If the Test Page fails to print you may receive a warning from the Status Monitor or notification bubble e.g. "This document failed to print" or "Communication Error", see Troubleshooting Printer-related Communication Issues in Windows 7.

  10. An example of a successful Test Page is below:


    If there is banding in the text on the Test Page or the print quality is poor then head cleaning may be required.

Windows Vista

  1. Click Start, then Control Panel.

  2. The Control Panel will open in one of two views; either Classic or Category view.

    1. In Category View: Select Printer under Hardware and Sound.

      Category View Vista


    2. In Classic View: Double-click on the Printers icon.

      Classic View Vista



    Before continuing, do the following:

    • Check the connection from the printer to the computer.

    • Check the printer is powered on.

    • In the Printers folder, first check that the print queue is clear and the printer is Ready. See article How to check the driver and print queue status in Windows 2000, XP and Vista for assistance and return to this article.

    • Make sure there are no red or amber lights on the printer's LEDs or error messages on the LCD panel.

  3. If the printer status is Ready and there isn't a print job in the print queue, right-click on the printer icon and left-click on Properties:

    Select Properties


  4. Load a sheet of plain A4 paper into the sheet feeder/paper cassette.

  5. Select Print Test Page.


  6. A Test Page will be sent to the printer and the following window will appear. If the Test Page prints successfully click Close.


  7. If the Test Page fails to print you may receive a warning from the Status Monitor or notification bubble e.g. "This document failed to print" or "Communication Error". See Troubleshooting Printer-related Communication Issues in Windows Vista for further assistance.

  8. An example of a successful Test Page is below:


    If there is banding in the text on the Test Page or the print quality is poor then head cleaning may be required.

Windows 2000/XP

  1. Click Start, then Control Panel.


  2. The Control Panel will open in one of two views; either Classic or Category view.
    1. In Category View: Select Printers and other Hardware, then click View installed printers or fax printers.

      Category View Win XP


    2. In Classic View: Double-click on the Printers and Faxes icon.

      Classic View Win XP


    Before continuing, do the following:

    • Check the connection from the printer to the computer.

    • Check the printer is powered on.

    • In the Printers folder, first check that the print queue is clear and the printer is Ready. See article How to check the driver and print queue status in Windows 2000, XP and Vista for assistance and return to this article.

    • Make sure there are no red or amber lights on the printer's LEDs or error messages on the LCD panel. Follow the instruction on the LCD panel, or for Stylus 'C' and 'D' range printers, see Error lights C and D range printers.

    • If the printer status is Ready and there isn't a print job in the queue, right-click on the printer icon and left-click on Properties:

      Select Properties


  3. Load a sheet of plain A4 paper into the sheet feeder/paper cassette.

  4. Select Print Test Page.


  5. A Test Page will be sent to the printer and the following window will appear. If a Test Page prints successfully click OK.


  6. If the Test Page fails to print you may receive a warning from the Status Monitor or notification bubble "This document failed to print" or "Communication Error".


    If the Test Page fails to print, see Troubleshooting Printer-related Communication Issues in Windows 2000 & XP or How to uninstall a printer on Windows 2000 and XP for further assistance.


  7. An example of a successful Test Page is below:


    If there is banding in the text on the Test Page or the print quality is poor then head cleaning may be required. See How do I use the head cleaning utility in Windows 2000 or XP?.

Windows 95, 98, ME

  1. Click Start, Settings then Printers.

    Printer folder


    Before continuing, do the following:


  2. If the printer status is Ready and there isn't a print job in the print queue, right-click on the printer icon and left-click on Properties:

    Select Properties


  3. Load a sheet of plain A4 paper into the sheet feeder/paper cassette.

  4. Select Print Test Page.

    Test Page


  5. A Test Page will be sent to the printer and the following window will appear. If a Test Page prints successfully click Yes.

    Click Yes


  6. If the Test Page fails to print or you receive the following error message then there is a communication problem.


    If it fails to print, see Troubleshooting Printer-related Communication Issues in Win 95, NT, 98, ME or How do I uninstall a printer Driver on Windows 98 or ME? for further assistance.


  7. An example of a successful Test Page is below:

    A printed Test Page sheet


    If there is banding in the text on the Test Page or the print quality is poor then head clean may be required. See How do I use the head cleaning utility using Windows 98 or ME? for assistance.

Notes Icon Note:

The Windows Test Page facility is not available in Windows 3.1, 95 or NT 4.

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