Microsoft Word prints a blank page or adds an extra sheet to a document that looks finished. That’s annoying, but one PDF test quickly shows whether Word or your printer caused it.
Quick Diagnosis
Fix #1: Create a PDF Before Changing Printer Settings
A PDF keeps Word’s page layout without sending anything to your printer. Start here before changing drivers or printer settings.
Symptoms:
- Print Preview shows an unwanted page.
- The paper copy contains a blank final page.
- The printer produces more sheets than Word appears to show.
Why it happens: Word may place a hidden break, empty paragraph, markup balloon, or tiny piece of content on another page. If the PDF looks right but the paper copy doesn’t, focus on the printer.
- Open the affected document in Word.
- On macOS, select File > Print.
- Open the PDF menu in the print dialog and choose Save as PDF.
- Save the PDF somewhere easy to find.
- Open it and inspect the thumbnails, total page count, and final page.
- Use the result to choose your next fix:
– If the PDF contains the unwanted page, continue with Fix #2. Word created the page. – If the PDF looks correct but the paper copy doesn’t, skip to Fix #7. The printer driver or print system is the likely cause.
- Repeat the PDF test after each change. You can also select File > Print and inspect the preview without saving another file.
On Windows, select File > Print, choose Microsoft Print to PDF or another PDF option, and select Print.
Common Issues and Solutions
| Symptom | Likely cause | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Blank page appears in both PDF and paper output | Hidden document content or layout | Show formatting marks |
| Extra page appears after one paragraph | Manual page break or extra paragraph | Remove the unwanted mark |
| Blank page follows a section | Odd Page or Even Page section break | Review the section break |
| Unexpected pages occur in a book-style document | Mirror margins or odd/even headers | Check layout options |
| Comments appear beside the document | Print markup is enabled | Turn off markup printing |
| PDF is correct but paper output is wrong | Printer driver or print system | Update the driver |
Fix #2: Show Hidden Formatting Marks
Formatting marks expose paragraph symbols, manual page breaks, section breaks, tabs, and spaces. They appear on screen but don’t print.
Symptoms:
- Word adds an extra page at the end.
- A page looks empty but can’t be deleted.
- Pressing Backspace doesn’t remove the page.
Why it happens: A page that looks blank may contain an invisible paragraph or break. Word also requires a paragraph after a table, and that paragraph can spill onto a new page.
- Save a backup copy of the document.
- On Windows, press
Ctrl + *. On many keyboards, the shortcut isCtrl + Shift + 8.
- On macOS, press
Command + 8.
- If the shortcut doesn’t work, select Home, then choose the Show/Hide ¶ button.
- Inspect the page before the unwanted page and the blank page itself.
- Select any surplus paragraph marks on the blank page.
- Press
Delete.
- Check File > Print, or create another PDF to confirm the new page count.
If you can’t delete the final paragraph after a table, select its paragraph mark and reduce its font size. Don’t shrink or hide real document content just to squeeze the page count down.
Fix #3: Remove an Unwanted Page or Section Break
A page that always starts at the same spot usually has a break in front of it. Formatting marks make the culprit easy to spot.
Symptoms:
- An extra page begins at a fixed point.
- The blank page remains after you remove empty paragraphs.
- The unwanted page appears between sections or chapters.
Why it happens: A manual page break always starts a new page. A Next Page, Odd Page, or Even Page section break can also move text forward. Odd and even breaks may insert a blank page so the next section begins on the requested side.
- Turn on formatting marks with
Command + 8on macOS orCtrl + *on Windows.
- Find the label before the unwanted page, such as Page Break or Section Break (Next Page).
- Select an unwanted Page Break.
- Press
Delete.
- Open Print Preview and check that the surrounding text still flows correctly.
- If you find a section break, save another backup before editing it.
- Check whether the section uses a different orientation, margin, header, footer, column layout, or page-numbering scheme.
- Delete the section break only when you don’t need those section-specific settings.
- Inspect the pages on both sides of the removed break.
- Create another PDF and verify the result.
Warning: Deleting a section break can apply the following section’s formatting to the preceding text. Check headers, footers, margins, orientation, and page numbers before saving.
Fix #4: Correct Facing-Page and Header Settings
Booklet settings can make an ordinary document behave strangely. Check them if blank pages appear near new sections, headers, or footers.
Symptoms:
- Blank pages appear in a booklet or double-sided document.
- Left and right pages use different spacing.
- The problem occurs around headers, footers, or new sections.
Why it happens: Mirror margins create inside and outside margins for facing pages. Different odd and even headers put separate content on alternating pages. Both settings belong in some books, but accidental use can disturb a standard document. Odd or even section starts are more likely than mirror margins to create a fully blank page.
- Select Layout > Margins.
- Open the custom margin controls. Inspect the multiple-page or mirror-margin setting available in your Word version.
- If the document isn’t meant for facing pages, change mirror margins to a standard margin layout.
- Check Print Preview before changing anything else.
- Double-click the header or footer area to open its controls.
- Find Different Odd & Even Pages.
- Turn off Different Odd & Even Pages if every page should use the same header and footer.
- Inspect each section. Header options can differ between sections.
- Save another PDF and confirm the page order, headers, and page count.
Mirror margins can change text flow because they alter the usable page width. They don’t normally create a blank sheet alone, so check for an odd or even section break too.
Fix #5: Stop Comments and Tracked Changes From Printing
Comments and tracked changes can claim enough space to push text onto another page. A document may look clean in one view while its print preview still includes markup.
Symptoms:
- Comments or revision balloons appear on paper.
- Text becomes narrower in the printed copy.
- Markup pushes content onto an extra page.
Why it happens: Word can print tracked changes and comments beside the document. That markup area changes pagination.
- Select the Review tab.
- Check whether the document contains comments or tracked changes.
- Select File > Print.
- Open the print options that control document markup.
- Turn off the option to print markup when you need a clean copy.
- Review every page in the preview.
- Save a fresh PDF and confirm that comments and revisions don’t appear.
Turning off printed markup doesn’t accept revisions or delete comments. It only leaves them out of that print job or PDF.
Fix #6: Reduce Oversized Margins
If one line, signature, or paragraph lands on an extra page, check the margins. A small correction may pull it back without changing the text.
Symptoms:
- One line, signature, or paragraph moves onto an extra page.
- The extra page appears after you change the paper size or layout.
- Print Preview shows far more empty space than expected.
Why it happens: Large top, bottom, inside, or outside margins leave less room for content. Even a short line can then spill onto another page.
- Select Layout > Margins.
- Review the current preset, or open the custom margin controls.
- Confirm that the paper size matches the paper you plan to use.
- Choose a suitable standard margin preset or correct the custom values.
- Don’t set margins outside your printer’s printable area.
- Check the new page count in Print Preview.
- Create another PDF to confirm that the correction belongs to the document layout.
Platform-Specific Issues
Fix #7: Update the Printer Driver or Repair Microsoft 365
Use this fix only when the PDF has the correct page count but the physical printer adds a blank or extra sheet. Driver work won’t remove a break stored inside the document.
Symptoms:
- PDFs from Word look correct.
- Only one physical printer produces the extra page.
- Other apps print correctly, but Word doesn’t.
Why it happens: A damaged or outdated printer driver can misread Word’s print job. If Word has the same problem with several printers, the Microsoft 365 installation may need repair.
On Windows
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select the affected printer.
- Check Windows Update and the printer manufacturer’s support site for a current driver that matches the exact printer model.
- Install the driver and restart Windows if prompted.
- Print the known-good PDF, then print the original Word document.
- If the update doesn’t work, remove the printer from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Reinstall it with the manufacturer’s supported setup method.
- Repair Microsoft 365 only if Word still fails with multiple printers or PDF destinations.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft 365, open its management options, and choose Modify.
- Select Online Repair, then follow the prompts.
- Restart Word and run the PDF test again.
Online Repair takes longer than Quick Repair and may need an internet connection. Save your work and close every Office app before starting.
On macOS
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Select the affected printer.
- Remove and re-add the printer only after confirming that the PDF looks correct.
- Check the printer manufacturer’s support site for current macOS software for the exact model.
- Print the known-good PDF before testing Word again.
If the PDF contains the unwanted page, return to the document fixes. Reinstalling the printer won’t remove a page break saved in the file.
Error Messages and Print Clues
The exact error or print result can narrow the problem quickly. Match what you see below before changing more settings.
| Message or clue | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “There is not enough memory or disk space to repaginate or print this document.” | Word can’t complete the page layout or create the print job | Save the file locally, close other apps, restart Word, and test a simpler copy |
| “Word cannot print due to a problem with the printer setup.” | Word can’t use the selected printer configuration | Select another printer or PDF output, then check the driver |
| “No printers are installed.” | Word can’t detect an available print destination | Check Printers & Scanners and re-add the printer |
| Blank page appears in the PDF | The document layout generated the page | Inspect formatting marks, breaks, margins, and markup |
| PDF is correct but paper output isn’t | The document pagination is probably sound | Update or reinstall the printer driver |
| Markup appears in Print Preview | Comments or tracked changes are included | Turn off printing of markup |
Menu labels can vary slightly by Word release and printer driver. If the wording differs, use the control’s description and location as your guide.
Configuration Issues to Check
These settings can alter the printed result without an obvious warning:
- Paper size mismatch: Confirm that Word and the printer use the intended size, such as Letter or A4.
- Mirror margins: Use them for facing pages, not ordinary one-sided documents.
- Odd/even section starts: Use them only when a new section must begin on a specific side.
- Different odd and even headers: Leave this off unless alternating pages need different header or footer content.
- Print markup: Turn it off for a clean copy, but keep revisions visible while reviewing.
- Custom margins: Leave enough printable space without making the margins so large that text spills onto another page.
Change one setting at a time, then check Print Preview or make a new PDF. That keeps the test useful and makes a bad change easy to undo.
Getting Help
Before contacting support, collect enough detail to show where the extra page appears. It saves you from repeating the same basic tests during the support call.
- Note whether the unwanted page appears in the PDF.
- Record the Word and Windows or macOS versions shown in the app and system information.
- On Windows, find system details under Settings > System > About.
- Note the printer make, model, connection type, and driver version.
- Test a new one-page Word document and record whether it prints correctly.
- Save a copy of the affected document with private information removed.
- Contact Microsoft Support if multiple documents fail only in Word.
- Contact the printer manufacturer if known-good PDFs also produce extra sheets.
Blank sheets from every app, paper-feed errors, grinding noises, or several sheets feeding together point to printer hardware. If unrelated Word files develop strange layouts, run a malware scan and consider repairing Office.
Prevention Tips
A quick preview catches most extra pages before they reach the paper tray. These habits are especially useful in reports and long documents with several sections.
- Use formatting marks while editing complex documents with many sections.
- Name section breaks deliberately and review them before sharing a file.
- Check Print Preview before sending a long document to a printer.
- Create a PDF proof for important reports, forms, and booklets.
- Accept or reject tracked changes before producing a final copy.
- Use standard margins unless the document has a clear print-layout requirement.
- Keep printer drivers current, but don’t replace them for a problem already visible in the PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Microsoft Word Printing a Blank Page?
The blank page usually contains an invisible paragraph, page break, section break, or markup-related layout. Turn on formatting marks, then check whether the same page appears in a PDF.
Why Does Word Add an Extra Page at the End?
An extra paragraph after a table, a manual page break, or an end-of-document section break can force a final page. Display formatting marks to identify the exact item before deleting anything.
How Can I Tell Whether the Problem Is in the Document or Printer?
Save or print the document as a PDF. If the extra page appears there, troubleshoot Word’s document layout. If the PDF looks correct but the paper copy doesn’t, check the printer driver and hardware.
Can Mirror Margins or Odd/Even Headers Affect Page Output?
Yes. Mirror margins change the usable width on facing pages, while odd and even options can alter headers and section placement. An Odd Page or Even Page section break can intentionally insert a blank page.
When Should I Reinstall the Printer Driver?
Reinstall it after the PDF test looks correct and you’ve completed the document fixes. It’s a sensible step when one printer fails but other print destinations work.
When Should I Repair Microsoft 365?
Use Online Repair late in the process when several documents or printers fail only in Word. I’d skip it for a blank page that appears in one document’s PDF because the file contains the problem.
Wrapping Up
| Step | Action | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create and inspect a PDF | Every case |
| 2 | Show marks and remove unwanted breaks | Extra page appears in PDF |
| 3 | Check margins, headers, and markup | Layout changes in PDF |
| 4 | Update the driver or repair Microsoft 365 | PDF is correct but printing fails |
The PDF test is the best first move, and hidden formatting marks fix most document-based cases. If a correct PDF still produces blank sheets, check the driver next; feeding noises or several sheets moving together point to printer hardware.
