Printing Problems

How to Fix Blank PDF Printout Pages in OneNote

Nimra Malik Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where an inserted PDF document displays as blank pages within the OneNote desktop application.

How to Fix Blank PDF Printout Pages in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Importing a PDF document as a printout into a OneNote notebook.
Observed behavior: The PDF printout successfully imports but renders as completely blank pages, even though the original PDF file opens normally in other programs.

Before you start

Verify that your original PDF file is not corrupted or password-protected by opening it in a standard PDF viewer before attempting to re-insert it into OneNote.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust the Paper Size Settings in OneNote

Changing the paper size to a standard format can resolve canvas dimension conflicts that cause the PDF printout to appear blank.

OneNote sometimes struggles to map the dimensions of custom or large PDF pages to its infinite canvas. Forcing the page layout to a standard size like Letter can correct this rendering mismatch.

Access the View Tab

Open your OneNote desktop application and navigate to the notebook page containing the blank PDF printout. Click on the 'View' tab in the top ribbon.

Open Paper Size Options

Click on 'Paper Size' (or 'More options' and then 'Paper Size', depending on your specific version of OneNote) to open the page setup pane on the right side of the screen.

Change Size to Letter

In the Paper Size pane, locate the 'Size' dropdown menu and change it from 'Auto' to 'Letter'.

Reopen the Notebook

Close the OneNote application completely and reopen it. Check the notebook page to verify if the PDF printout is now visible.

Adjust the Paper Size Settings in OneNote

Tip: If the printout is still blank, try deleting the existing blank printout first, setting the paper size to Letter, and then re-inserting the PDF.

Solution 2

Restart the OneNote Application

Restarting the program can clear temporary rendering glitches and memory issues preventing the PDF from loading.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF look completely blank when inserted into OneNote?

This usually happens due to page dimension mismatches between the imported PDF file and OneNote's digital canvas, or because of a temporary rendering glitch in the Windows desktop app's memory.

Does reinstalling the PDF printer fix the blank page issue?

If adjusting the paper size does not work, repairing or reinstalling the 'Send to OneNote' print driver via the Windows Settings > Devices and Printers menu can sometimes resolve the problem.

Can I prevent PDF printouts from showing as blank pages in the future?

To prevent this, you can try opening the PDF in a dedicated PDF reader, selecting 'Print', and manually choosing the 'Send to OneNote' printer option instead of dragging and dropping the file into the notebook.

Document & File Issues