How to Print a Test Page on Lexmark Printers (Reports)

Lexmark printers do not just print a single "test page." They produce a suite of diagnostic reports: menu settings page, print quality test pages, network setup page, and device statistics , each showing different information. Most Lexmark guides treat these as interchangeable, but they are not. Knowing which report to print and how to read it tells you whether a print quality issue is low toner, a worn drum, a fuser problem, or a configuration error.

Lexmark's Multi-Page Diagnostic Suite

From the Reports menu on any Lexmark printer, you can print several different diagnostic pages:

• Menu Settings Page: The most detailed report. Shows every configuration setting, firmware version, installed options (duplex unit, extra trays), paper tray assignments, total page count, and current error codes. Print this first when troubleshooting any issue, as it is the single most informative output any Lexmark printer produces.
• Print Quality Test Pages: Color bars, gradients, halftone patterns, and fine line tests. On color models, this prints separate CMYK test patterns. Use this to diagnose visual quality issues like fading, banding, streaking, or registration problems. Compare the output against a color test page from this site for a broader assessment.
• Network Setup Page: IP address, MAC address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS settings, and connection type. Essential when troubleshooting connectivity or setting up the printer on a new network.
• Device Statistics: Lifetime page count, supply usage history, error log, and jam frequency. Available on enterprise models. Useful for assessing whether a used Lexmark printer is worth buying or whether a high-mileage unit is nearing end of life.

Navigating the Operator Panel

The path to diagnostic reports varies by Lexmark model generation, but all models put reports under the same logical menu structure.

Touch screen models (CS/CX 400+ series, MS/MX 600+ series)

Tap Settings (gear icon) on the home screen. Scroll to Reports and tap it. Select the specific report you want: Menu Settings Page, Print Quality Test Pages, or Network Setup Page, and tap Print.

LCD models with navigation buttons (MS/MX 300-500 series)

Press Menu on the control panel. Use the arrow keys to navigate to Reports and press OK. Scroll to the desired report and press OK to print.

Older models with a Go button (E series, T series)

Turn the printer off. Press and hold the Go button while turning it back on. Continue holding until the indicator LEDs cycle through their sequence, then release. The printer will output a menu settings page automatically.

Fleet Testing with MarkVision Enterprise

MarkVision Enterprise is Lexmark's fleet management platform for organizations with multiple Lexmark printers. It runs as a server application and provides centralized control over every Lexmark device on the network.

For test page purposes, MarkVision allows you to:

• Print diagnostic pages on any managed printer remotely, without walking to the device.
• View real-time supply levels (toner, drum, fuser, waste toner) for every printer in the fleet from a single dashboard.
• Set up automatic alerts when supplies reach a threshold percentage so you can order replacements before a printer runs out mid-job.
• Deploy firmware updates to all printers simultaneously instead of updating each one individually.

MarkVision is overkill for a single printer or small office. For individual devices, the Embedded Web Server (type the printer's IP address into any browser) provides the same diagnostic information without installing additional software.

The Network Configuration Page

Lexmark printers are frequently deployed in office networks where connectivity issues are common. The Network Setup Page is the diagnostic tool that resolves most of these problems.

To print it, go to Settings → Reports → Network Setup Page on the control panel. The page shows:

• IP address: Confirm the printer is on the expected subnet. If the IP has changed (common after a router reboot or DHCP lease expiration), users on the network will not be able to find the printer.
• Connection type: Wired (Ethernet) or wireless. If the printer should be on Wi-Fi but shows an Ethernet connection, the wireless adapter may be disabled in settings.
• DNS settings: Incorrect DNS can prevent the printer from communicating with cloud services or receiving firmware updates.

If the network page shows valid settings but the printer still is not reachable from a computer, the issue is typically a print spooler problem on the client machine rather than a printer-side issue.

Decoding Lexmark Error Codes

Lexmark printers display specific error codes on the control panel when something goes wrong. These codes appear on the menu settings page as well, making it possible to capture and research them even after the error has cleared from the display.

Common codes you will encounter on test pages or the control panel:

• 31.xx (Defective cartridge): The printer cannot communicate with the toner cartridge. Reseat the cartridge. If the error persists, the chip on the cartridge may be damaged or incompatible (common with third-party cartridges).
• 32.xx (Unsupported cartridge): The cartridge is not recognized for this printer model. Verify you have the correct cartridge part number. Some Lexmark models enforce region-locked cartridges.
• 200.xx (Paper jam): The "xx" suffix indicates the jam location (200.01 = input tray, 200.02 = inside the printer, 200.03 = output area). Open the indicated area and remove the jammed paper.
• 84.xx (Drum/imaging unit): The imaging drum has reached its rated life. Print quality may degrade. Replace the imaging unit and print a quality test page to verify. The Color Contrast Checker can help evaluate whether text output still meets readable contrast levels.
• 80.xx (Fuser): The fuser is nearing or past its rated life. Symptoms include smudged output, wrinkling, or toner not adhering to the paper. Replace the fuser maintenance kit.

For codes not listed here, print the menu settings page to capture the exact code, then search it on support.lexmark.com. Lexmark's support database covers every error code with model-specific resolution steps. For symptoms not covered by Lexmark error codes, our printer troubleshooting hub provides broader diagnostics across all printer brands.