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How to Fix Blank Print Preview for Microsoft 365 on Chromebook
Question details
Users are experiencing an issue where printing Microsoft 365 documents results in a blank print preview and completely empty printed pages, despite other websites printing normally.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- ChromeOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a document or save it as a PDF from Microsoft 365 web applications on a Chromebook.
- Observed behavior
- The print dialog opens successfully, but the document preview is completely blank. The resulting printed physical page or saved PDF file is also empty.
Ensure your printer is powered on, connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook, and that you can successfully print standard web pages or local images.
Verify Chromebook Printer Settings and Isolate the Application
Check if the printer is properly recognized by ChromeOS and test printing in other Microsoft 365 apps to determine if the issue is isolated to a specific app like Word.
Chromebooks use different printing protocols than Windows or Mac. Occasionally, specific web applications struggle to send the correct print spool data to ChromeOS, causing blank pages. Isolating the issue helps determine if it's a browser rendering glitch or a printer driver failure.
Click the time in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook screen, then click the gear icon to open Settings.
Navigate to Advanced > Printers and scanners. Confirm that your target printer is listed here and shows as available.
Open a different Microsoft 365 web application, such as Excel or PowerPoint, and attempt to print a document.
If Excel or PowerPoint prints successfully but Word produces a blank preview, the issue lies within the Word web app's rendering engine on ChromeOS.
Download the Document and Print Locally
Since saving as a PDF directly from the Microsoft 365 print dialog may also result in a blank page, downloading the actual file to print via a local app is a reliable workaround.
Use WPS Office for Reliable Printing on Chromebooks
If Microsoft 365 web apps consistently fail to generate print previews on ChromeOS, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight alternative. You can easily open, edit, and reliably print your documents without encountering blank page errors.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the Google Play Store on your Chromebook.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your downloaded Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document.
- 3. Print Without Errors: Click the Print icon or go to Menu > Print to preview and print your document flawlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Chromebook print blank pages from Microsoft 365?
This is typically caused by a rendering glitch between the Microsoft 365 web application and the Chrome browser's print spooler. The document fails to render correctly, resulting in an empty preview and a blank physical page.
How do I add or refresh my printer on a Chromebook?
Go to Settings > Advanced > Printers and scanners. Ensure your Chromebook and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network, then click 'Add Printer' to refresh the connection.
Will saving the document as a PDF fix the blank preview issue?
Not always. If the print dialog is already showing a blank preview, using the 'Save as PDF' option within that same dialog will often generate a blank PDF file. It is better to download a copy of the actual file and print it from a different application.
Are printer drivers on ChromeOS different from Windows?
Yes. ChromeOS uses the Common UNIX Printing System (CUPS) and relies heavily on driverless printing protocols like IPP. Some advanced features of certain printers may not be fully supported, which can occasionally conflict with complex web applications.
