How to Fix HP Printer Printing Cropped PDF Documents?

If your HP printer is printing PDF documents that appear cropped, misaligned, or incomplete, this can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve this issue, from adjusting printer settings to updating drivers and using HP tools.

What Causes HP Printer to Print Cropped PDF Documents?

Several factors can cause your HP printer to print PDFs incorrectly:

Incorrect Page Scaling: PDF settings may be set to “Actual Size” or “Fit to Page,” causing content to crop.
Outdated Printer Drivers: Old or incompatible drivers can affect print output.
Wrong Paper Size Selection: Using a mismatched paper size in the print settings can cut off edges.
Application Issues: The software used to open the PDF may not send the correct layout to the printer.
Firmware Problems: Printer firmware may need updating to properly handle PDF printing.

Step 1: Check PDF Page and Print Settings

Open the PDF document in your preferred PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat Reader is recommended).
Click File > Print.
Under Page Sizing & Handling, choose Fit instead of Actual Size.
Verify the paper size matches the printer tray settings.
Click Print and check if the cropped issue is resolved.

Tip: Sometimes setting the PDF to “Shrink Oversized Pages” also fixes cropping problems.

Step 2: Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers

Visit the official HP website and search for your printer model.
Download the latest printer drivers compatible with your operating system.
Uninstall existing drivers from your computer.
Install the new drivers and restart your computer.

Updating drivers ensures your HP printer handles PDF layouts correctly and improves overall performance.

Step 3: Adjust Printer Firmware

Sometimes firmware updates fix print layout issues:

Connect your HP printer to the internet.
Open HP Smart or your printer’s control panel.
Check for Firmware Updates and follow on-screen instructions.
After updating, restart the printer and retry printing the PDF.

Firmware updates often resolve bugs related to page cropping and PDF rendering.

Step 4: Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP provides a free diagnostic tool called HP Print and Scan Doctor to troubleshoot printing issues:

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor from the HP official website.
Run the tool and select your printer.
Follow the prompts to detect and fix issues, including cropped prints.
Print a test PDF to confirm the problem is resolved.

This tool automatically detects driver, network, and configuration problems.

Step 5: Check Application-Specific Settings

If cropped PDFs occur only from a specific application:

Ensure the software is updated to the latest version.
Use Print Preview before printing to see the exact output.
Adjust page scaling or layout options within the app to match printer settings.

Note: Some older PDF readers or office applications may not support complex layouts, causing cropped prints.

Step 6: Verify Paper Size and Tray Settings

Open the printer’s control panel or HP Smart app.
Confirm the paper size matches the document’s page size.
Ensure the tray is correctly loaded and set to the selected paper type.
Retry printing.

Mismatched tray settings are a common cause of cropped PDFs.

Step 7: HP Printer Customer Support

If the issue persists after performing all troubleshooting steps:

Contact HP Customer Support for expert assistance.
Provide printer model, driver version, and a sample PDF with cropping issues.
Support can guide you through advanced fixes or service options if needed.

HP support is available online, via phone, or through the HP Smart app.

Step 8: Prevent Future Cropped PDF Printing

Always use the latest HP drivers and firmware.
Regularly check print settings before printing large documents.
Keep PDF readers and office applications updated.
Run HP Print and Scan Doctor periodically to maintain printer performance.

By following these practices, you can avoid common printing errors, including cropped or misaligned PDFs.

Conclusion

Cropped PDFs on an HP printer are usually caused by scaling issues, outdated drivers, or firmware glitches. By carefully checking print settings, updating drivers, using diagnostic tools, and consulting HP support when necessary, you can resolve this problem and achieve accurate, high-quality prints every time.