How to Fix HP Printer Printing Cropped Text from PDF?

HP printers are widely used for printing professional documents, including PDF files. However, some users encounter an issue where text or content is cropped, cut off, or missing when printing PDFs. This problem can be caused by incorrect print settings, scaling issues, outdated drivers, or PDF reader configuration errors. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue by adjusting your printer and software settings properly.

What Causes HP Printer to Print Cropped Text from PDF?

Understanding the cause helps you apply the correct solution. Common causes include:

Incorrect page scaling or print size settings
Wrong paper size selected in printer settings
Margins set too narrow or outside printable area
Outdated or corrupted HP printer drivers
Issues with the PDF reader software
Incorrect printer properties configuration
Firmware or software compatibility problems

These issues prevent the printer from printing the full PDF content correctly.

Check and Adjust PDF Print Scaling Settings

Improper scaling is one of the most common reasons for cropped text.

Steps to fix scaling issues:

Open the PDF file using your PDF reader.
Press Ctrl + P to open the print window.
Look for Page Sizing & Handling settings.
Select Fit or Shrink Oversized Pages.
Avoid selecting Actual Size if content gets cut off.
Preview the document before printing.
Click Print.

This ensures the entire PDF fits properly within the printable area.

Verify HP Printer Paper Size Settings

Mismatch between paper size in the printer and PDF settings can cause cropping.

Steps to verify paper size:

Open Control Panel on your computer.
Select Devices and Printers.
Right-click your HP printer.
Click Printing Preferences.
Select the correct paper size (A4, Letter, etc.).
Click Apply and OK.

Make sure the same paper size is selected in both the printer and PDF settings.

Adjust Printer Margins and Layout Settings

Incorrect margin settings can cause parts of the document to be cut off.

Steps to adjust margins:

Open the print dialog box.
Go to Printer Properties.
Look for Layout or Page Setup.
Select default or standard margins.
Disable borderless printing unless required.
Save settings and print again.

Proper margins ensure full document visibility.

Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause printing errors including cropped text.

Steps to update drivers:

Open Device Manager.
Expand Printers.
Right-click your HP printer.
Select Update Driver.
Follow on-screen instructions.

Alternatively, reinstall the printer:

Remove the printer from Devices and Printers.
Restart your computer.
Reinstall the printer driver.
Test printing again.

Updated drivers improve compatibility and printing accuracy.

Print PDF Using Different PDF Reader

Sometimes the issue is caused by the PDF reader itself.

Try these steps:

Open the PDF in another reader.
Check print preview.
Use Fit or Shrink options.
Print the document.

Different readers handle scaling differently and may fix the issue.

Check HP Printer Firmware and Software Updates

Printer firmware updates improve performance and fix bugs.

Steps to update firmware:

Open HP printer software on your computer.
Go to Settings or Tools.
Select Printer Updates.
Install available updates.
Restart your printer.

This ensures your printer works properly with PDF documents.

Reset HP Printer Printing Preferences

Resetting settings restores default configurations.

Steps to reset preferences:

Open Devices and Printers.
Right-click your HP printer.
Select Printing Preferences.
Click Restore Defaults.
Save settings.

Default settings often resolve configuration errors.

Check Application-Specific Print Settings

Some applications override printer settings.

Steps to fix:

Verify page size inside the application
Check scaling settings
Use print preview before printing
Match document size with printer paper size

Consistency prevents cropping issues.

Troubleshooting HP Printer Cropped PDF Printing Issues

If the problem persists, try these troubleshooting steps:

Restart printer and computer
Reinstall printer software
Print a test page
Check printer firmware version
Try printing from another device
Convert PDF to image and print

These steps help isolate and fix the root cause.

Prevent HP Printer Cropped Printing Problems

Follow these best practices to avoid future issues:

Always check print preview
Keep printer drivers updated
Use correct paper size settings
Maintain updated PDF reader software
Use recommended printer settings

Proper maintenance ensures smooth printing performance.

HP Printer Customer Support and Service Options

If troubleshooting does not resolve the issue, HP support services can help diagnose and fix the problem. HP provides assistance for printer setup, driver installation, firmware updates, activation, and troubleshooting. Support technicians can help resolve software conflicts, driver issues, and configuration errors causing cropped PDF printing.

Conclusion

HP printer printing cropped text from PDF is usually caused by scaling errors, incorrect paper size settings, outdated drivers, or configuration issues. By adjusting scaling settings, verifying paper size, updating drivers, and resetting printer preferences, you can resolve the problem quickly. Regular maintenance, software updates, and proper configuration ensure accurate and high-quality PDF printing without cropping issues.