How to Print a Test Page on Dell Printers (Legacy)

Dell exited the printer market years ago and sold its printer division. No new Dell printers are being manufactured, no new drivers are being released, and Dell's own printer software (Dell Printer Hub, Dell Document Hub) is no longer actively maintained. But millions of Dell printers are still running in homes and offices, and if yours is one of them, it is almost certainly a rebranded Lexmark unit, a fact that makes troubleshooting and driver hunting much easier once you know which Lexmark model yours corresponds to.

Dell Printers and the Lexmark Connection

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Dell outsourced printer manufacturing to Lexmark. Dell branded the hardware, wrote its own driver software, and sold the printers alongside Dell computers. Under the case, the printer engines, toner systems, and firmware are Lexmark designs.

This matters because when Dell's own drivers stop working after a Windows update, the equivalent Lexmark driver is often a direct replacement. Common equivalencies include:

• Dell B1160 / B1165 → Lexmark MS310 series
• Dell B2360dn → Lexmark MS410 series
• Dell C1760nw / C1765nf → Lexmark CS310 series
• Dell S2830dn → Lexmark MS621 series
• Dell H815dw → Lexmark MX610 series

If your model is not in this list, search for "[Dell model number] Lexmark equivalent"; the community has documented most cross-references. Knowing the Lexmark model also helps when shopping for toner, since Lexmark-branded cartridges and third-party compatible cartridges for the equivalent model fit Dell printers.

Finding Drivers for Windows 10 and 11

Driver issues are the most common problem Dell printer owners face today, especially after Windows upgrades. Here is the order to try:

1. Windows Update's built-in driver. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, click Add device, and let Windows search. Windows 10 and 11 include generic PCL6 and PostScript drivers that work with many Dell laser printers. If Windows finds and installs a driver automatically, print a test page to verify.
2. Dell's legacy support site. Dell's driver archive still has downloads for many models. Search dell.com/support with your service tag or model number. Downloads may be labeled as "archived" but usually still install on Windows 10 and 11.
3. The Lexmark equivalent driver. Go to support.lexmark.com, find the equivalent Lexmark model (see the table above), and download the latest driver. Lexmark actively maintains drivers for current Windows versions, and these drivers work with Dell-branded hardware because the printer engines are identical.

Printing a Test Page Through Windows

The Windows test page is the most reliable method for Dell printers because it does not depend on any Dell-specific software that may no longer be installed or functional.

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
2. Click on your Dell printer in the list.
3. Click Printer Properties (not "Printing Preferences").
4. On the General tab, click Print Test Page.

If the test page prints cleanly, the driver is working and the printer hardware is functional. If the page is blank, garbled, or does not print at all, the issue is almost always a driver problem rather than a hardware fault. Try the driver steps above, or check our printer not printing troubleshooting guide for connection-level fixes.

Dell printers with an LCD panel can also print a configuration page directly: press Menu → Reports → Configuration Page and press OK. This is useful when you need to confirm the printer works independently of the computer : if the control panel test page prints fine but the Windows test page does not, the problem is the driver or connection, not the printer.

Generic PCL and PostScript Drivers as a Fallback

If neither Dell nor Lexmark drivers work for your specific model, a generic PCL or PostScript driver is your last option before giving up on software support.

1. Open Settings → Printers & scanners → Add device.
2. Click The printer that I want isn't listed(or Add manually).
3. Choose Add a local printer and select the correct port (USB or TCP/IP for network printers).
4. In the driver selection dialog, choose Generic → Generic / Text Only for basic text printing, or select HP → HP Universal Printing PCL 6 for broader compatibility including graphics. The HP Universal driver works with most PCL-compatible laser printers regardless of brand.

Generic drivers support basic printing (text, simple graphics) but may not support advanced features like duplex, multiple paper trays, or color management. Make sure the paper size in your driver matches the paper loaded in the tray — the Paper Size Guide covers the formats your Dell printer likely supports. For a black and white test page, generic PCL is more than adequate.

Is Your Dell Printer Worth Keeping?

This is a practical question more Dell printer owners should ask. Dell printers are aging hardware running on discontinued software with no manufacturer support. Here are honest guidelines:

• Keep it if: the printer produces clean test pages, you can find compatible toner at a reasonable price, and the driver works with your current OS. A working Dell laser printer that cost you nothing (because you already own it) beats buying a $200 replacement as long as print quality is acceptable.
• Replace it if: you are spending hours fighting driver issues after every Windows update, toner cartridges for your model are becoming scarce or overpriced, the printer frequently jams or shows hardware errors, or the fuser is producing smudged output that shaking the toner cannot fix.
• Replacement recommendation: A current Brother HL-series mono laser in the $100–$150 range offers similar print quality, active driver support, and toner that is easy to source. If you need color, a Brother HL-L3270CDW or HP Color LaserJet M255dw are solid sub-$300 options.

If you do decide to replace, run one final test page on the Dell and compare it to a test page from the new printer. It confirms the transition is complete and gives you a benchmark to verify the replacement actually produces better output.

For diagnosing specific print quality issues on any printer brand, our printer troubleshooting hub covers common problems with step-by-step fixes.