Won’t print
Prints are cut off or the wrong size
Edges are missing, text runs off the page or everything prints too small. Match the paper size, scaling and margins across the app, driver and printer.
You’ll need: The document that prints wrongly · A ruler, if you want to measure what’s missing
Try this first
Check that the paper size chosen in the print dialog matches the paper in the tray, for example A4 or Letter. Then set scaling to a fit option, labelled Fit, Fit to page or Fit to printable area depending on the app, rather than a fixed percentage. A mismatch between document and paper size causes most cut-off edges.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsWhat you’ll notice
- One edge, often the bottom or right side, is missing
- The print is shrunk with wide white borders
- The printer asks for a different paper size or reports a size mismatch
- Headers, footers or web addresses print where you don’t want them
Usually caused by
- Most commonDocument set to Letter with A4 in the tray, or the reverse
- Most commonScaling set to actual size, 100% or a custom percentage
- Most commonContent sits inside the printer’s unprintable margin
- SometimesThe tray’s paper size setting on the printer is wrong
- SometimesBrowser headers, footers or margins add extra space
- Less commonA borderless photo setting enlarges the image
Step by step
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
Windows 11 and 10
0 of 5 tried
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Set the paper size in the print dialog
In the app’s print dialog, find Paper size (sometimes under More settings or Printer properties) and choose the size that’s actually in the tray.
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Change scaling to fit the page
Find the scaling option and choose the fit-to-page setting instead of a fixed percentage. In PDF readers this usually sits under page sizing or scale.
You should see: The print preview shows the whole page with a small white margin all round.
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Check the document’s own page setup
In Word, check Layout > Size; in other apps, look for Page setup. A document set to A4 and printed on Letter paper loses about 18 mm from the bottom, while one set to Letter and printed on A4 can lose a sliver from each side.
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Set the default paper size in the driver
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, click the printer, choose Printing preferences and set the paper size you normally use. New print jobs then start from the right size.
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Widen the document margins
If text near the edge is still clipped with the sizes matched, it’s inside the printer’s unprintable area. Increase the document’s margins to at least 6 mm (a quarter of an inch) and print again.
macOS
0 of 3 tried
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Show the full print dialog
Press Command + P. If the dialog looks short, click Show Details to reveal paper size and scaling.
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Match the paper size
Set Paper Size to the paper in the tray. Apps that offer File > Page Setup need the same size chosen there too.
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Choose scale to fit
In Preview, choose Scale to Fit with Print Entire Image instead of a scale percentage. Other apps have a Scale box; leave it at 100% only when the document size matches the paper.
You should see: The thumbnail preview shows the whole page inside the paper outline.
ChromeOS
0 of 3 tried
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Open more settings in print preview
Press Ctrl + P and click More settings.
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Set the paper size and scale
Choose the correct Paper size, then set Scale to a fit option if one is offered, or Default for ordinary web pages.
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Turn off headers and footers
Untick Headers and footers under Options to remove the date, page title and web address, and set Margins to Default.
You should see: The preview shows only your content, centered on the page.
On the printer itself
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Check the tray’s paper size setting
Many printers ask what size you loaded when you close the tray, or keep a paper setting in their menu. Make sure it matches the actual paper, or the printer may rescale, refuse the job or stop with a size mismatch message.
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Slide the paper guides against the stack
Loose guides let paper skew as it feeds, which shifts the print so one edge drops off. Push the side and front guides until they just touch the paper without bending it.
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Turn off borderless for documents
Borderless printing enlarges the image slightly so it reaches the edges, which trims a little from every side. For documents, switch borderless off in the print settings.
iPhone, iPad and Android
0 of 3 tried
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Check the paper size on the phone
On iPhone and iPad, look in the print options for Paper Size; some printers only report what’s loaded. On Android, tap the small down arrow in the print screen and choose the paper size there.
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Print from a PDF instead
If an app keeps cropping pages, save or share the content as a PDF first, then print the PDF, which tends to scale more predictably.
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Send a single page first
Print one page and compare it with the screen before sending the whole document.
Did this fix it?
Good to hear. If the problem comes back, the steps will still be here, and your ticked steps are saved on this device.
Try these next:
- Update the printer driver from Windows Update or the manufacturer’s official support site; old drivers sometimes ignore scaling settings.
- If one website always prints badly, use its own print button or print-friendly view, or save the page as a PDF first.
- Print the printer’s own test page. If that is also shifted or clipped, the paper path or alignment needs attention, not the settings.
Still stuck? Run the diagnose questions, or check your printer’s manual and the manufacturer’s official support site.
Common questions
What is the difference between A4 and Letter?
A4 is 210 × 297 mm and is used in most countries; Letter is 8.5 × 11 inches (216 × 279 mm) and is standard in the US and Canada. They look alike but differ enough to clip edges.
Why does my PDF print smaller than it should?
The PDF reader is probably shrinking it to fit inside the printable area. Choose Actual size if the PDF’s page size matches your paper.
Can my printer print right to the edge?
Only if it supports borderless printing, and usually only on photo paper sizes. Most printers leave a small unprintable margin on ordinary documents.