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Fix QuickBooks Check Alignment Problems With 100% Working Solutions

It’s frustrating to encounter QuickBooks check alignment problems when printing your checks. You may notice that the check is either horizontally or vertically misprinted. This can be extremely time-consuming, and also wastes expensive check paper. This issue should be fixed without second thoughts on a priority basis, as it’s essential to settle your payments on time.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the ways you can rectify this error with the provided step-by-step guide. So without further ado, let’s move on to the next section.

While printing your paychecks in QuickBooks, you might find that the text is either too low, too high, too far left, or too far right. This usually occurs due to misconfigured alignment settings inside your QB workstation. You can face this issue in all the versions of QuickBooks, be it Desktop (Windows and Mac) or Online. It’s essential to fix this problem on time as it can hamper your important business processes and invite delays to your payment schedule.

Before we troubleshoot QuickBooks check alignment problems, first, let’s look at some key factors you need to analyze and implement for fixing the check alignment problem with QuickBooks.

Before making alignment adjustments for your checks in your QB workstation, here are a few key things you should evaluate and apply:

  1. Update your QuickBooks Desktop
  2. Make sure that your printer is on
  3. Ensure that your computer is connected to your printer
  4. Verify that you have adequate check paper
  5. Check that you are using QuickBooks-compatible checks

Now, let’s discuss the different ways you can troubleshoot this issue, specific to your workstation platform (Windows, Mac, or Online)

QuickBooks offers two versions of the Desktop workstation: Windows and Mac. First, let’s patch QuickBooks check alignment problems for Windows.

You have to first start by making coarse alignment adjustments and then make fine adjustments to complete the process.

Making Coarse Alignment Adjustments to your in QuickBooks Desktop Workstation

To make adjustments to the check alignment in QBDT, follow the steps given below:

  1. Open your QBDT app
  2. Navigate to the File menu
    File Menu
  3. Open the Printer Setup
  4. Choose the Form name dropdown menu
  5. Select the form you want to print
  6. Click on the Printer Type dropdown menu
  7. Then, select Continuous (Perforated Edge)
  8. Press Align
  9. Select a template you wish to use
  10. Hit OK
  11. Now, press Coarse
  12. Click on OK to print a sample check
  13. Evaluate the pointer line QBDT printed across the middle of the sample
  14. Mark down the closest number to the arrow points
  15. Enter that number in Pointer Line Position
  16. Then, press OK
  17. QuickBooks might print another sample
  18. Finally, note down the printer alignment position for future reference

Now, let’s head to making fine adjustments in the steps given below.

Making Fine Alignment Adjustments for Your Checks in QBDT Windows

  1. Open the File menu again
  2. Select Printer Setup
    Printer setup
  3. Open the Form name dropdown menu
  4. Choose the form you want to print
  5. Then, open the Printer type dropdown menu
  6. Choose Continuous (Perforated Edge)
  7. Hit Align
  8. Then choose a template to use
  9. Click on OK
  10. Now, select Fine
  11. Press OK to print a sample form
  12. Evaluate the alignment grid QB prints on the sample
  13. Check and estimate how far you should move the text on the sample
  14. Enter a number to specify how much and in what direction to move the printed text
  15. Press Print Sample
  16. Check the alignment
  17. If the adjustments are correct, press OK
  18. Finally, click OK again to close the Printer Setup

Now, let’s discuss the way to adjust QuickBooks check alignment problems on Mac.

To adjust the alignment of a check in QBDT Mac, you have to follow the steps given below:

  1. Select the check you want to make alignment adjustments to
  2. Then, click on Print
  3. Press Show Details
  4. Now, choose the Alignment tab
  5. Move the block box
  6. Adjust the alignment 
  7. Check the text alignment in the print preview
  8. Hit Print to test if the alignment is correct

This was all for making an alignment adjustment for checks in QuickBooks Desktop Mac.

To perform the task of adjusting check alignment QuickBooks Online, you have to follow the steps you see down below:

  1. Navigate to Settings
  2. Then, choose Payroll Settings
    Payroll Setting in QBO
  3. Go to the Printing section
  4. Press Edit
  5. Now, choose Paycheck on QuickBooks-compatible check paper
  6. Then choose one of the two:
    • Print paycheck and 1 pay stub
    • Print paycheck and 2 pay stubs
  7. Hit Align check
  8. Now, select Print alignment form
  9. Print a sample check
  10. Follow the instructions you see to print the check
  11. Close the window
  12. Evaluate the check
  13. Follow the instructions on your screen again
  14. Then, enter the letter and number that satisfies your need
  15. Select Save
  16. Finally, press Done

Quick Tips for QuickBooks Online Check Alignment Problems

Given down below are some tips to align checks in QuickBooks Online:

  1. If the text is low
    • Enter a letter that’s before the letter K
    • Enter A to J to move the text up
  2. If the text is high
    • Enter a letter that’s after the letter K
    • Enter L to X to move the text down.
  3. If the text is far right
    • Enter a number that’s less than 5
    • Enter 0 to 4 to move the text to the left.
  4. If the text is far left
    • Enter a number that’s more than 5
    • Enter 6 to 9 to move the text to the right.
      Print This Sheet

Now, you won’t face QuickBooks Online check alignment problems again.

Given below in the table is a concise summary of this blog on the topic of check alignment issues in QuickBooks:

DescriptionWhile printing checks, you might see that something is off. The text can be horizontally or vertically misaligned, or both at the same time.
Things to keep in mindBefore you troubleshoot it, ensure that you’re using the latest version of QBDT, your printer is on, your system is using the right printer, you have enough check paper in your paper tray, and you’re using QB-compatible checks.
Troubleshooting methodsFor QB Windows, make coarse adjustments and then make fine adjustments. For QB Mac, move the black to adjust the alignment in the Alignment tab. For QB Online, click on Align Check in the Payroll Settings menu to make adjustments

In this blog, we discussed about the different QuickBooks check alignment problems. Additionally, we gave you an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide so you can troubleshoot this issue yourself. If somehow you’re still battling this same problem, give a call to our Proadvisors Solutions Team at 1-855-888-3080!

How do I fix check alignment in QuickBooks Desktop?

To fix QuickBooks check alignment problems in the Desktop version, first make Coarse adjustments by navigating to the Printer Setup menu. Then, make fine adjustments to refine the alignments you made from the Printer Setup menu. To know this method in detail, read the blog above.

How to fix stuck checks in QuickBooks Desktop?

To fix stuck checks in QBDT, you can try updating your QBDT app, sending payroll after updating, checking and finding checks stuck as online to send, using the verify and rebuild data tool, modifying the information of stuck paychecks, and running QB as an admin.

How do I adjust check printing in QuickBooks Online?

Browse to the Settings menu and choose Payroll Settings. In the Printing section, press Edit. Then, choose Paycheck on QuickBooks-compatible check paper. Now, select Print paycheck and 1 pay stub or Print paycheck and 2 pay stubs. Choose Align check, and press Print alignment form to print a sample check. Follow the instructions you see and close the window.
Enter the letter and number that you feel would be perfect.

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