Print a test page on a Chromebook
ChromeOS has no built-in test page, but Ctrl+P and a test PDF get you there fast.
Step by step
Your Chromebook and printer must be on the same network, or the printer must be connected by USB.
- 1Open the PDFOpen a test PDF from the print test page hub in Chrome, or open the downloaded file.
- 2Press Ctrl+PThe print dialog opens.
- 3Choose the printerClick the arrow next to Destination, choose See more, and pick your printer from the list.
- 4Check the settingsSet the paper size to Letter or A4, and set scale to default or 100% so the sheet is not resized.
- 5Click PrintThen inspect the page.
Check your printer settings in ChromeOS.
- 1Check the networkMake sure the printer is on and joined to the same network as the Chromebook.
- 2Open ChromeOS settingsGo to Settings, then Device, then Printers and scanners.
- 3Check or add the printerConfirm your printer’s information is correct, or remove and re-add the printer.
- 4Try againPress Ctrl+P on the PDF and select the printer.
What a test page tells you
- Google states that Chromebooks do not support Bluetooth printing. Use the network or USB.
- If printing still fails after setup, Google suggests checking the printer information, removing and re-adding the printer, and updating the printer’s firmware.
- A Chromebook test page is just a PDF. It proves your job reaches the printer, not that heads and colors are healthy.
- Check that the preview scale is default or 100% so the test sheet is printed at its true size.
Official sources
Steps follow these pages. Menu names can change with updates.
ChromeOS keeps printing straightforward: open something, press Ctrl+P, choose a printer. It does not provide a dedicated test page command, so the way to test is to print a PDF. That is actually better, because a test sheet shows quality, not just connectivity.
Steps in short
- Open a test PDF from the PDF hub.
- Press Ctrl+P.
- Click the arrow next to Destination, choose See more, and select your printer.
- Check paper size and scale, then print.
Both the Chromebook and the printer need to be on the same network, according to Google’s help page. USB also works. Bluetooth printing is not supported.
Choosing the right sheet
- Color test page for tones, text and fine lines.
- Nozzle check for streaks and missing colors.
- Blank page test for stray marks.
- Scale check if the size looks off.
Letter or A4
Choose the version that matches the paper in the tray. The A4 vs Letter guide explains the difference. Leave the scale at default or 100% in the Chrome print dialog.
What this tells you
If the page prints, ChromeOS, the network and the printer are cooperating. If the print looks wrong, compare it with the matching read your result page. Head cleaning and alignment are run on the printer itself or with the maker’s tools. See Epson, Canon, HP and Brother for what is typical and links to the official instructions.
No printer in the list?
Open Settings, then Device, then Printers and scanners, and check the printer’s information or add it again. If that does not help, see printer offline and driver or connection issue.
Good habits
Print on plain white paper and look at the page in good daylight. Keep a copy from when the printer was working well, so you can compare it with later prints. Repeat the same sheet after a ChromeOS update or an ink change, and use the same paper each time so you compare like with like.