Why a Blank Page Appears Before a Chapter

A blank page before a chapter is correct. Every chapter starts on a right-hand page, so a blank page is added whenever it would otherwise land on the left.

A blank page before a chapter is expected and correct. Every chapter starts on a right-hand page, per standard publishing convention. If a chapter would otherwise land on a left-hand page, a blank page is inserted before it automatically.

Why does the print layout add blank pages?

In a printed book, chapters begin on a right-hand page. This is standard publishing convention, and the Writing Studio follows it for you.

If starting a chapter would otherwise put it on a left-hand page, a blank page is automatically inserted before it. This is expected, correct behavior, not an error.

Which parts of my book start on a right-hand page?

Every chapter does. So do the intro sections that come before Chapter 1.

Is the blank page a mistake?

No. If you notice an extra blank page before a chapter start, you are seeing this working correctly. You do not need to delete or fix anything.

Which pages show the running header?

Your book title and author name print automatically at the top of body pages once both are filled in on the Front End tab. This header is automatically left off chapter-opening pages and front-matter pages, matching standard book formatting. See How do running headers and page numbers work?

Will it show up in Page Preview?

Page Preview is built by the same print engine, and from the same request, as the real PDF export. The whole book is laid out and the preview opens at the chapter you are editing, so every chapter page looks exactly like the exported PDF. You can read more in Page Preview and Full Screen.

What if KDP reports a blank page?

After you upload your print PDF in KDP's own print setup page, KDP's Previewer shows a loading screen with checks such as "Checking for blank pages...". If the Previewer seems stuck, one of the two most common real file-level causes other authors have hit is an unexpected blank page, most often right before or after a chapter opening. The other is a low-resolution image. For a book made with this app's export, both are unlikely. See Why is the KDP Previewer stuck after I upload my PDF? For Amazon's own rules, see our KDP manuscript file guide.

Not sure where to start? The Course Coach inside the app guides you through each step, so you are never stuck on a button.

Last checked in the app: October 14, 2026.