How to Print a Test Page and Network Configuration Report

01Overview

A laser printer test page is one of the most useful troubleshooting tools you have, and it costs one sheet of paper. There are really two kinds: a page the printer prints on its own (often called a configuration, status or self-test page), and a test page sent from your computer. Comparing the two tells you whether a problem lives in the printer, in the connection or on the computer.

This guide explains how to print both, what the network section of a configuration report means, and how to read the results.

02Before you start

• Find your model’s report option. Printers with a screen usually keep reports under a menu such as Reports, Information, Print Reports or Setup. Printers without a screen often print a report when you hold a button or press a button sequence. The exact steps vary by make and model, so check the manual.
• Load plain paper. Use the main tray and ordinary copy paper so the report reflects normal printing.
• Wait for “ready”. Let the printer finish warming up before you print.
• Keep the page. Reports show details you may need later, such as the printer’s IP address, its firmware version and the network it joined.

03Key terms

• Configuration report: a page that lists the printer’s settings and status. Many models include network details on it, or on a separate network report.
• IP address: a set of numbers, for example 192.168.1.25, that identifies the printer on your network.
• SSID: the name of the Wi-Fi network the printer is connected to.
• Signal strength: how well the printer receives your Wi-Fi signal, sometimes shown as a word, bars or a number.
• Firmware: the printer’s built-in software, shown on the report as a version number.

04Print a test page from the printer itself

1. Open the reports menu. On a printer with a screen, look for Reports, Information, Print Reports or a similarly named option, sometimes inside Setup or Settings. On a printer with only buttons, find the report instructions in your manual.
2. Choose the configuration or status report. If you are checking a network connection, also look for a network configuration report, WLAN report or wireless test report. Some printers include a wireless connection test that prints a result page with suggestions.
3. Print it and collect the page. The pages come out warm because of the fuser; that is normal.
4. Check the print quality. Look for faded areas, streaks, smudges, repeating marks or blank sections. Is the page clean? If yes, the printer’s printing mechanism is working. If not, the problem is in the printer or its consumables rather than your computer: see faded laser prints or the print quality guides.

05Read the network section

Network reports differ in layout, but most include similar information. Look for these items:

1. Connection type and status. The report should show whether the printer is using Wi-Fi, a wired (Ethernet) connection or neither, and whether that connection is active or connected.
2. Network name (SSID). For Wi-Fi, confirm the name matches the network your computer uses. A printer joined to a guest network or a neighbor’s open network won’t be visible to your computer.
3. IP address. A normal home address often starts with 192.168 or 10. An address starting with 169.254, or an address of all zeros, usually means the printer didn’t receive an address from your router. Write the IP address down.
4. Signal strength. If the report shows a weak signal, moving the printer or router closer can make the connection more reliable.
5. Wi-Fi band, if shown. Some reports show whether the printer is on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Not every printer supports both, so this can explain why a printer can’t see a network your laptop uses.

Does the report show the right network and a normal IP address? If yes, the printer side of the connection is fine, and the next checks belong on the computer. If not, see laser printer Wi-Fi not working.

06Print a test page from your computer

1. On Windows 11, open Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Select your printer, open its printer properties or the test page option, and print a test page. Wording can change between Windows versions.
2. On a Mac, open System Settings, then Printers & Scanners, and select your printer. Open its print queue and look for an option to print a test page, if your Mac offers one; otherwise print a short document from any app. Apple’s menu names can change between macOS versions.
3. Check that the job went to the right printer. If you have more than one printer, or the same printer added twice, make sure you chose the one you meant.

07Check that it worked

Compare the two results:

1. Both pages print cleanly. Printer, connection and computer are working. Any problem you saw earlier is likely in an app’s print settings.
2. The printer’s own report is fine, but the computer test page fails or never prints. The issue is the connection, the print queue or the driver. Our guides on a stuck print queue and printer not detected cover those.
3. Both pages show the same quality fault. The issue is in the printer or consumables, not the computer.
4. Nothing prints at all, even from the control panel. Check paper, toner, open doors and messages on the display first.

08When to contact the manufacturer

Contact the manufacturer through its official support site if:

• The printer can’t print its own report even with paper and toner installed and no messages showing.
• The report shows a hardware error or service message that the manual tells you to report.
• Quality faults on the report remain after you have replaced the toner (and the drum, where your model has a separate one).
• The printer makes grinding noises, smells of burning or shows smoke. Switch it off and unplug it.

09FAQ

What is the difference between a test page and a configuration report?

A configuration report is printed by the printer itself and lists its settings and status. A test page printed from your computer checks the whole path from computer to printer. Names vary by manufacturer, and some printers call their own report a test page.

Where do I find my printer’s IP address?

The network configuration report usually lists it. Many printers with a screen also show it in a network or Wi-Fi status menu. Your router’s list of connected devices may show it as well.

Why does my configuration report show an IP address starting with 169.254?

That usually means the printer did not receive an address from your router, so it assigned one to itself. Restart the router and the printer, check that the printer is on the right network, and print the report again.

Does printing reports use up toner?

A little, like any printed page. Reports are usually one or two pages, so printing one when you troubleshoot is worthwhile.

Can I see the same information without printing?

Often, yes. Many network printers have a built-in web page that you open by typing the printer’s IP address into a browser on the same network. Printers with a screen also show network details in their menus.