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My printer is printing all documents on half a page and in landscape rather than portrait

Anonymous
2021-11-22T06:38:43+00:00

Hi

I have this issue happening on our laptop and now the new surface pro 8 as well. The printer will print on half the page in landscape but will print everything just smaller and on the left hand side. I have uninstalled, reinstalled, gone through all the settings. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! thank you, Rachel

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-11-22T07:18:36+00:00

    Hi Rachel. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

    Is there any device you can print from that doesn't do this? If so that tells us that the issue is the software install so I will help you clean install the printer driver on the laptop and Surface.

    If it happens with all devices then the problem is likely the printer itself. Every printer has a way to reset it to defaults. You can usually find it by reading it's Manual on the manufacturer's Support Downloads web page for the printer model. If you need help finding this just give me the printer make and model.

    In addition from the printer top I'd run all Maintenance tasks in the Settings.

    Keep in mind you also have a one year manufacturer's support, repair and replacement warranty that comes with any hardware so if problems persist you can call on them to fix or replace it, making sure it gets done soon enough so you can ensure the repairs work in time for the warranty expiration, or extend it. It might also still be under Store return policy.

    Or if it's older and cannot be fixed after trying everything with my help, you may want to replace it. A wireless All-in-One printer that prints from every device in the house, scans, faxes and copies can be had for well under $100 on Amazon or at local stores.

    Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

    ______________________________________________

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-11-22T20:51:29+00:00

    Rachel -

    What PDF reader are you using? To test another you can change the default to/from Edge, Firefox, Chrome in Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Choose Default by File Type > PDF

    or even install Adobe Reader to set it as default in the same place:

    https://get.adobe.com/reader/

    Let me know how this works.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-11-23T20:57:46+00:00

    Hi Greg

    Problem solved on my surface pro thank you, I reinstalled the drivers, weird as I had just installed them a couple of weeks ago but it worked and I am grateful.

    Thank you so much, Rachel :-)

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  3. JosephT71 9,210 Reputation points
    2021-11-22T20:46:03+00:00

    If the problem only surface in pdf printing, then the problem may be Windows 10's internal pdf software that the edge browser uses.

    So go to Adobe's website, download the free Adobe PDF Reader and print from the PDF Reader.

    Or it can also be a bug in the newer Brother printer driver. Your older computer with older printer driver works but your new computer with new printer driver doesn't work.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-11-22T20:31:54+00:00

    Hi Greg

    Thank you so much for getting back to me. The laptop started printing that way about 6 months ago but it only does it on pdf's, I reinstalled the printer on that one however it made no difference. My surface pro 7 had no problems, it is just the surface pro 8 which I have had a couple of weeks that does it. Prior to that I had a desktop computer that had no problems. The printer is an older brother model DCP-J412DDW.

    I will work through your recommended steps and see how I go. I don't mind buying a new one but would prefer not to add to landfill if I can avoid it somehow.

    Thanks again, Rachel

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