Other PDF Issues

How to Fix Blank Pages Inserted into a PDF Document

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to remove or prevent unwanted blank pages from being unexpectedly inserted into their PDF documents.

How to Fix Blank Pages Inserted into a PDF Document

Product: PDF
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating, scanning, or printing a document to PDF where blank pages appear unexpectedly between the content pages.
Observed behavior: Extra blank pages are inserted into the final PDF document, interrupting the flow of content and altering the total page count.

Before you start

Determine whether the blank pages appear only in the final PDF output or if they already exist as hidden formatting marks in your original source document before exporting.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Source Document and Export Settings

Verify the original file for hidden page breaks or formatting errors before re-exporting to PDF.

Often, blank pages in a PDF are directly carried over from the source document used to create it. Unseen paragraph returns or manual page breaks can force the PDF converter to render an empty page.

Inspect for page breaks

Open your original source document (e.g., Word document) and turn on formatting marks (usually the Pilcrow symbol '¶') to locate any unwanted manual page breaks or section breaks.

Remove hidden content

Delete empty paragraphs, hidden text, or extra spacing at the end of pages that might force the creation of an additional blank page.

Re-export the PDF

Once the source document is cleaned up, use the 'Save As' or 'Export' function to create a new PDF file and check if the blank pages are resolved.

Check Source Document and Export Settings

Pro Tip: If your source document contains tables or images that push exactly to the bottom margin, they might trigger a new blank page. Slightly reducing the margin size can fix this.

Solution 2

Adjust Scanner and Duplex Settings

Modify your scanner settings to prevent blank sides from being captured when scanning single-sided documents.

Solution 3

Modify 'Print to PDF' Configurations

Correct paper size, scaling, or separator-page options that may cause blank pages when using a virtual PDF printer.

Easily Remove Blank Pages with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF toolkit that lets you directly view, manage, and delete unwanted blank pages from your PDF documents in just a few clicks.

1. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF file containing the unwanted blank pages.
2. Navigate to the Page menu: Click on the 'Page' tab located in the top navigation ribbon to access page management tools.
3. Delete blank pages: Select the blank pages you want to remove, then click the 'Delete' button (trash can icon) to permanently remove them from your document.
4. Save changes: Press Ctrl + S or go to Menu > Save to apply and save your updated PDF file.

Visually manage and delete PDF pages directly without needing the source fileFully compatible with all standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office filesLightweight PDF editor with intuitive page organization toolsFree to download and easy to use on Windows, Mac, and mobile platforms

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there blank pages in my PDF after converting from Word?

Blank pages often appear after conversion due to manual page breaks, empty paragraph returns, or section breaks left at the end of pages in the original Word document. Deleting these hidden formatting marks before conversion will prevent the issue.

Can I delete a blank page directly from an existing PDF file?

Yes, if you use a PDF editor like WPS Office, you can navigate to the Page management tab, select the specific blank page, and delete it directly without needing to edit or re-export the original source file.

How do I stop my scanner from adding blank pages to my PDF?

Access your scanning software's advanced settings and look for a 'Skip blank pages' option. Additionally, ensure you are not using duplex (two-sided) scanning when feeding single-sided documents into the automatic document feeder.

PDF Troubleshooting