How to Fix HP Printer Printing Too Small Text?

If your HP printer is printing text that appears too small, compressed, or scaled down, the issue is usually related to print settings, driver configuration, page scaling, or software preferences. Whether you are printing from Windows, Mac, or a mobile device, adjusting the correct settings can quickly restore normal text size and clarity.

Common Reasons Why HP Printer Prints Too Small Text

Before fixing the issue, it’s important to understand what causes it:

Incorrect page scaling settings (Fit to Page, Shrink to Printable Area)
Wrong paper size selection
Incorrect DPI or print quality settings
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
Application-level scaling settings (Word, PDF readers, browsers)
Print preview scaling errors
Firmware issues

Check Print Scaling Settings in Windows

One of the most common causes is incorrect scaling.

Steps to fix scaling:

Open the document you want to print.
Click File > Print.
Select your HP printer.
Click Printer Properties.
Look for:
- Page Scaling
- Resize Options
- Fit to Page
Set scaling to 100%.
Make sure paper size matches your document (A4, Letter, etc.).
Click Apply and Print.

If the scale was set below 100%, this will fix the small text issue immediately.

Adjust Paper Size Settings

Mismatch between document size and printer paper size can shrink content.

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your HP printer.
Select Printing Preferences.
Check that paper size matches your document.
Save settings.

For example, printing an A4 document on Letter paper can reduce text size.

Check Application-Level Settings

Sometimes the issue comes from the software you’re printing from:

In Microsoft Word: Check Layout > Scale
In PDF Reader: Ensure “Custom Scale” is 100%
In Browser: Press Ctrl + P and verify scaling is set to Default or 100%

Update HP Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause scaling and formatting errors.

To fix this:

Visit the official HP support page.
Search your printer model.
Download the latest driver compatible with your operating system.
Install and restart your computer.

Updated drivers often resolve print formatting problems.

Reinstall HP Printer Driver (If Not Working)

If updating doesn’t fix the issue:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your HP printer.
Select Remove Device.
Restart your computer.
Download the latest driver again.
Install and reconnect your printer.

Reinstallation clears corrupted configurations that may shrink text.

Reset Printer to Default Settings

If scaling settings remain incorrect:

Access printer control panel.
Navigate to Settings > Restore Defaults.
Confirm reset.
Reconfigure basic settings.

This restores factory print configuration.

Check Printer Firmware Updates

Firmware bugs may cause formatting issues.

Open HP Smart app.
Go to Printer Settings.
Check for Firmware Updates.
Install if available.

Keeping firmware updated improves compatibility and performance.

Fix HP Printer Printing Too Small Text on Mac

For macOS users:

Open document.
Click File > Print.
Expand print dialog.
Look for Scale option.
Set to 100%.
Confirm correct paper size.

Also verify printer driver is installed correctly from HP’s official support.

HP Smart App Troubleshooting

If using HP Smart:

Open HP Smart.
Select your printer.
Go to Print Settings.
Reset preferences.
Try printing test page.

If issue persists, remove printer from HP Smart and add it again.

HP Printer Login, Signup & Account Issues

Sometimes print settings sync through HP accounts:

Ensure you are logged into HP Smart properly.
If login fails, reset password.
If account syncing causes issues, log out and log in again.
Reinstall HP Smart app if account settings aren’t updating.

HP Printer Not Working After Fixing Scaling

If printer still prints incorrectly:

Restart printer and computer.
Check USB or Wi-Fi connection.
Print a test page from printer settings.
Ensure no custom print profile is active.

When to Contact HP Customer Support

If none of the above solutions work:

Printer firmware may be corrupted.
Driver conflicts may require advanced troubleshooting.
Internal printer configuration may need servicing.

Contact HP Customer Support for:

Driver assistance
Firmware recovery
Printer servicing
Advanced troubleshooting

Have your printer model and serial number ready before contacting support.

Prevent HP Printer Text Size Issues in Future

To avoid small text printing problems:

Always verify scaling before printing.
Keep printer drivers updated.
Match document size with paper size.
Avoid third-party print drivers.
Regularly update HP Smart app.

Conclusion

If your HP printer is printing too small text, the issue is typically related to scaling, paper size, driver settings, or software configuration. By checking print settings, updating drivers, reinstalling software, and resetting default preferences, you can quickly restore normal text size and print clarity.

If the problem continues despite troubleshooting, professional HP customer support can provide further assistance to resolve deeper system or firmware issues.