A fixing device comprising: a heating rotator and a pressure rotator configured to be pressed against each other and be separated from each other, wherein the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are rotatable while pressed against each other to thermally fix a toner image formed on a recording medium at a nip portion between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator; and a separating member configured to separate the recording medium to which the toner image is thermally fixed from the nip portion, the separating member being configured to be brought close to and be separated from the nip portion between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator, wherein the fixing device has a pressure contact state and a separated state, in which: in the pressure contact state, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are pressed against each other, and the separating member is close to the heating rotator; and in the separated state, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are separated from each other, and the separating member is positioned away from the nip portion, characterised in that the fixing device is configured such that the separating member is moved into its position in the pressure contact state only after the heating rotator and the pressure rotator have been pressed against each other. a heating rotator and a pressure rotator configured to be pressed against each other and be separated from each other, wherein the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are rotatable while pressed against each other to thermally fix a toner image formed on a recording medium at a nip portion between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator; and a separating member configured to separate the recording medium to which the toner image is thermally fixed from the nip portion, the separating member being configured to be brought close to and be separated from the nip portion between the heating rotator and the pressure rotator, wherein the fixing device has a pressure contact state and a separated state, in which: in the pressure contact state, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are pressed against each other, and the separating member is close to the heating rotator; and in the separated state, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are separated from each other, and the separating member is positioned away from the nip portion, characterised in that the fixing device is configured such that the separating member is moved into its position in the pressure contact state only after the heating rotator and the pressure rotator have been pressed against each other. in the pressure contact state, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are pressed against each other, and the separating member is close to the heating rotator; and in the separated state, the heating rotator and the pressure rotator are separated from each other, and the separating member is positioned away from the nip portion, characterised in that the fixing device is configured such that the separating member is moved into its position in the pressure contact state only after the heating rotator and the pressure rotator have been pressed against each other.