Printing checks in QuickBooks should be straightforward but many users encounter issues like misalignment, blank pages, incorrect output, or errors stating checks won’t print. The good news? Most issues can be resolved quickly with the right steps.
This guide walks you through both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online printing problems and provides proven fixes.
Common Checks Printing Issues in QuickBooks
Before fixing the issue, know the common symptoms:
- Checks print off-center or misaligned.
- Blank or partial check prints.
- Checks won’t print at all.
- Errors showing QuickBooks can’t complete the action.
- Printer queues stall or display errors.
How to Fix QuickBooks Desktop Checks Printing Problems?
QuickBooks Desktop users often face printing problems due to local settings, printer drivers, or corrupted print files.
A. Run the QuickBooks Print & PDF Repair Tool
QuickBooks has a built-in tool that fixes many print/export issues:
- Close QuickBooks.
- Download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
- In the Tool Hub, go to Program Problems → Print & PDF Repair Tool.
- Let the tool run and then try to print again.
This tool can fix connection errors, missing PDF components, and printer recognition issues.
B. Reset the Print Configuration
QuickBooks stores printer settings in a file called QBPrint.QBP. If this gets corrupt, printing fails.
- Close QuickBooks Desktop.
- Locate QBPrint.QBP in:
- C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks \
- Rename it to QBPrint.OLD.
- Reopen QuickBooks → File → Printer Setup.
- Choose Check/Paycheck, then OK.
QuickBooks will recreate a fresh file and often resolves print errors.
C. Verify Printer Setup & Driver
Problems can be as simple as an incorrect printer driver:
- Ensure your printer is online (Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Right-click → Use Printer Online).
- Update the printer driver from the manufacturer’s website.
- Run a test print from a simple program like Notepad.
If it doesn’t print outside QuickBooks, the issue is your system or printer, not QuickBooks.
D. Align Checks in QuickBooks Desktop
Misalignment is one of the most frequent complaints. To adjust:
- Go to File → Printer Setup.
- Choose Check/Paycheck.
- Select Align.
- Print a sample, measure, and adjust vertical/horizontal settings until aligned.
This prevents text printing above or below the designated fields on check stock.
E. Restart Print Spooler
Sometimes Windows print services block QuickBooks prints:
- Win + R → type services.msc.
- Find Print Spooler.
- Set Startup type to Automatic.
- Stop → Start the service.
This ensures smoother printer communication.
How to Fix QuickBooks Online Checks Printing Problems?
QuickBooks Online (QBO) uses your browser to print checks, so issues often stem from browser settings.
A. Use a Supported Browser & Private Window
Browsers store cache and cookies that can interfere with print dialogs.
- Try printing in Incognito/Private mode (Ctrl+Shift+N / Command+Shift+N).
- If that works, clear browser cache and cookies for future printing.
B. Adjust Browser Print Settings
Incorrect browser settings cause misalignment:
- In the print dialog, set Margins to None.
- Set Scale to 100% or Actual Size.
- Paper size must be Letter.
These settings ensure QuickBooks doesn’t shrink or shift printed fields.
C. Use Adobe Acrobat Reader for Certain Browsers
If Firefox, Edge, or Safari don’t align checks correctly:
- Save the check to PDF.
- Open in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Print from Acrobat with settings:
- Page scaling: Actual Size.
This bypasses inconsistent browser print handlers.
D. Fix Alignment in QuickBooks Online
If checks still misalign:
- Follow QuickBooks Online’s Print Setup screens.
- If asked, click No, continue setup twice to open the alignment tool.
- Adjust the grid to match your actual check position.
- Print sample and confirm alignment.
QuickBooks Checks Printing Best Practices
Regardless of version, these tips help prevent problems:
- Always update QuickBooks to the latest release.
- Keep your printer’s firmware and drivers current.
- Test prints on plain paper before using expensive check stock.
- Ensure checks are loaded correctly in the printer tray.
Conclusion
QuickBooks Checks printing Problems whether Desktop or Online are frustrating, but most can be fixed with a few simple steps:
- Use the Print & PDF Repair Tool
- Reset corrupted print settings
- Adjust alignment and browser print settings
- Update drivers and configuration
With these fixes, you’ll be printing checks smoothly again and saving time and money on wasted check stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
To ensure checks print correctly in QuickBooks Desktop:
1. Open QuickBooks Desktop and go to File > Printer Setup.
2. In the Form Name dropdown, choose Check/Paycheck.
3. Click Align to adjust horizontal and vertical positioning.
4. Print a test page on plain paper.
5. Continue adjusting until the printed check aligns on your check stock.
6. Load your actual check paper and print.
For QuickBooks Online, settings are managed through your browser:
1. Open the check you want to print in QuickBooks Online.
2. Click Print (or press Ctrl+P / Cmd+P).
3. In the browser print dialog, set Margins to None.
4. Ensure Scale is 100% (not “Fit to page”).
5. Set Paper size to Letter.
6. If using Chrome/Edge, try Incognito/Private mode if alignment is off.
7. Print a test on blank paper, adjust if needed.
QuickBooks has a built‑in tool for common printing/PDF errors:
1. Close QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Download and install the QuickBooks Tool Hub.
3. Open the Tool Hub and select Program Problems.
4. Run the QuickBooks PDF & Print Repair Tool.
5. After it finishes, open QuickBooks and try printing again.
6. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your computer and resetting temp folder permissions.
If printing on preprinted check stock is off:
1. Go to File > Printer Setup.
2. Select Check/Paycheck for the form type.
3. Click Align and adjust until the text aligns with your check fields.
4. Save and print a sample on plain paper before using actual check stock.
5. If alignment still fails, check printer drivers and update them.
Missing margins or clipped edges can happen when remote printers don’t send the correct page size:
1. Close QuickBooks.
2. Make sure your remote or local printer driver supports the check stock size.
3. In QuickBooks Printer Setup, choose Check/Paycheck and click Align.
4. Adjust the vertical alignment so edges print fully.
5. Reconnect the remote printer and print a test page.
6. If issues persist, install updated remote printer drivers.
Signature lines can disappear if printer settings don’t synchronize between users:
1. Ensure all users have the same printer selected in QuickBooks.
2. Have one user set up Printer Setup for checks.
3. Save and close QuickBooks.
4. Other users should restart QuickBooks and try printing.
5. If still missing, clear Temp files and confirm that printer drivers are identical on all machines.
(Tip: mismatched settings often cause disappearing fields.)
HP printers can sometimes misinterpret QuickBooks print commands:
1. Turn off Fit to Page in the HP print dialog.
2. In QuickBooks Desktop, go to File > Printer Setup > Check/Paycheck.
3. Use Align to fine‑tune position.
4. Update the HP printer driver to the latest version from HP’s website.
5. Test print from another application (like Notepad) to confirm the printer works outside QuickBooks.
If QuickBooks Online won’t print properly in Windows:
1. Try printing in Incognito/Private mode to avoid cached settings.
2. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies if normal mode fails.
3. Use a supported browser like Chrome or Edge.
4. In the print window, check that Scale is 100% and Margins are correct.
5. If previews are blank, install or update Adobe Acrobat Reader and print from PDF.
