Printer Nozzle Check
This is a nozzle check pattern for inkjet printers: one tightly spaced comb of horizontal lines per ink channel (black, cyan, magenta, yellow), similar in purpose to the nozzle check your printer's own utility software can print. Gaps or breaks in a line mean nozzles for that color aren't firing correctly.
If the button doesn't work, press Ctrl+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open your browser's print dialog.
This is an on-screen preview. Your printer, paper, ink or toner level, and print driver settings all affect the final physical result.
How to use this printer test
- This test is for inkjet printers. If you have a laser printer, use our Black & White or Color test instead.
- Set color mode to "Color" in your print dialog so all four line combs print with their correct ink.
- Print at 100% scale on plain paper.
- Hold the page at arm's length in good light and check each colored line comb from top to bottom.
What should the printed page look like?
Continuous lines
Every line in every color comb should run unbroken from left edge to right edge.
Gaps or breaks
A short blank segment in one or more lines means the nozzles responsible for that section aren't dispensing ink.
Faint or thin lines
A line that's consistently lighter than the others in the same color suggests a partially, rather than fully, clogged nozzle.
One color completely blank
If an entire color's comb is missing, that cartridge is likely empty rather than clogged — check ink levels first.
Common printer problems
Small gaps in one or two lines of a single color
Likely cause: A small number of nozzles for that ink are clogged with dried ink, common after the printer sits unused for a while.
How to fix it: Run your printer's standard nozzle cleaning cycle once, reprint this test, and repeat up to two or three times if needed.
Large gaps across most lines of one color even after cleaning
Likely cause: A more stubborn clog, or that specific print head/cartridge nearing end of life.
How to fix it: Try your printer's "deep cleaning" option if it has one, or remove and reseat that cartridge. If gaps persist after several cleaning cycles, the cartridge or head may need replacing.
All colors show gaps in the same position
Likely cause: A paper feed or head alignment issue rather than a clogged nozzle, since a true clog is usually color-specific.
How to fix it: Check for paper dust or debris on the print head rail, and run our Print Head Alignment test to rule out a mechanical cause.
Frequently asked questions
How do I print a nozzle check?
Print this page in color at 100% scale, then check each of the four line combs — black, cyan, magenta and yellow — for gaps or breaks from left to right.
What should a nozzle check look like?
A healthy nozzle check shows four solid, evenly spaced combs of horizontal lines with no gaps, breaks, or noticeably faint sections in any color.
How many cleaning cycles should I run for a clogged nozzle?
Most manufacturers recommend running the standard cleaning cycle once, reprinting the test, and repeating up to two or three times — running many cycles back-to-back can waste ink without further improvement.
Does this work for laser printers?
No. Nozzle clogging is an inkjet-specific issue. For laser printers, use our Printer Test Page or Black & White Test to check toner distribution instead.
How do I run a nozzle check on an Epson, Canon or HP printer?
Epson and Canon both include a Nozzle Check in the printer driver's Maintenance tab (or the printer's own menu), which prints the manufacturer's pattern. HP printers don't use that name — look for Print Quality Diagnostic Page in HP Smart or the printer's Tools menu. This page gives you a brand-neutral pattern you can print any time, with one comb per ink color.
How often should I run a nozzle check?
Inkjet printers that sit idle for days can clog, so a quick check once a week, or before any important print, keeps problems small. Always run one when a color looks faint, streaky or missing.
Does a nozzle check use a lot of ink?
No. The pattern uses a thin line per color and very little ink. Head-cleaning cycles use far more, so check first and only clean if the pattern shows gaps.
How do I run a nozzle check on a Brother printer?
Brother inkjets usually include a print-quality check or test print in the Ink or Maintenance menu on the printer or in its utility software. The exact wording varies by model, so check your printer's manual if you can't find it. This page gives you a brand-neutral alternative with one comb per ink color.
Does an Epson EcoTank or other ink tank printer need nozzle checks?
Yes. Ink tank printers still use inkjet print heads, and those can clog if left idle just like cartridge printers. Run a nozzle check before a long print job and after any period of inactivity.
What causes clogged nozzles?
Dried ink is the usual cause, from leaving an inkjet unused for days or weeks, low-quality or refilled ink, or air getting into the head. Printing a little every week and keeping the printer powered off with its own power button, so the head parks properly, are the best prevention.
Can I unclog nozzles without running endless cleaning cycles?
Start with one or two of your printer's own head-cleaning cycles, checking the pattern in between. If gaps remain, let the printer rest for several hours so softened ink can loosen, then try again. Manual cleaning of the print head is only worth trying if the manufacturer's manual describes how for your model.