Fixing device and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus comprising a fixing device configured to fix a toner image on a recording medium,

• the fixing device including:
• an endless fixing belt;
• a heating roller disposed in a loop of the fixing belt to drive the belt;
• a pressing roller disposed to be opposed to the fixing belt to form a fixing nip through which the recording medium passes;
• a pressing roller driving unit configured to drive the pressing roller;
• a heating roller driving unit configured to drive the heating roller;
• a fixing pad disposed in the loop of the fixing belt so as to be opposed to the pressing roller;
• a belt load reducing device configured to reduce load on the fixing belt on an exit side of the fixing nip;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the pressing roller driving unit, the heating roller driving unit, and the belt load reducing device,
• wherein the control unit performs control such that torque of the heating roller in torque distribution between the pressing roller and the heating roller is greater when the belt load reducing device is activated than when the belt load reducing device is not activated.