Two-sided printing fails for one of three reasons: the printer cannot do it, the driver is set to manual, or a driver problem hides the option. HP's guidance is to check the user guide to see whether the model supports automatic duplexing, and it notes that auto-duplex models are often marked with a d in the model name, such as the LaserJet Enterprise M604dn. In the print dialog, if the option reads Two-sided Printing (Manually), click Refresh; if it changes to Two-sided Printing without the word manually, click OK and print again.
HP has separate pages for automatic duplex printing that stops working in Windows 11, and for LaserJet and PageWide printers where auto-duplex fails after installing the HP Universal Print Driver, where the fix is to enable the duplex unit in the driver settings or install the model driver.
The checks in more detail
In the printer's own settings, check that two-sided printing is not disabled and that the paper size and type are supported for duplex, since some sizes and heavy stocks are not. Check that the rear access panel or duplexer is fully seated, because a loose duplexer stops the feature and can cause jams. Set the binding edge for the job, long edge for portrait. If prints come out on one side only, check the app's own setting too. Update the driver and firmware. If you need duplex often, choose a model with an automatic duplexer in the first place, and keep the driver set to the model rather than a universal one, since the model driver knows what the printer can do.
Differential
Likely causes of “HP printers will not print or scan two-sided”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A model without a duplexer
What separates it There is no two sided option because the model does not have a duplexer
How to confirm Print manually, since the model has no duplexer, in two passes
- 2
Manual mode selected
What separates it The dialog shows Two-sided Printing manually because manual mode is selected
How to confirm Click Refresh in the driver dialog, so that it updates its options
- 3
A universal driver
What separates it Auto duplex is lost because a universal driver is in use
How to confirm Enable the duplex unit or use the model driver
- 4
An unsupported paper
What separates it Duplex is refused because the paper is not supported
How to confirm Use a supported paper size and type, for two sided printing
- 5
A loose duplexer
What separates it The printer jams or does not duplex because the duplexer is loose
How to confirm Reseat the duplexer on the rear panel, until it clicks into place
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model name and whether it has a d
- The driver that you are using on the computer
- The option text in the print dialog
- The paper size and the paper type that you chose
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the model
ReversibleCheck the model in the user guide, and look for a d in the model name.
Click Refresh
ReversibleClick Refresh in the driver dialog, so that it finds the duplex unit, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the driver
ReversibleCheck the driver, and enable the duplex unit in its settings, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the paper
ReversibleCheck the paper, and use a size and a type that the duplexer supports, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reseat the duplexer
ReversibleReseat the duplexer, which is on the rear panel of the printer, and press it in.
Set the binding edge
ReversibleSet the binding edge, choosing the long edge for pages in portrait, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update the driver
ReversibleUpdate the driver and the firmware, and then try two sided printing again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Models
- The OfficeJet Pro 9000 series and LaserJet Pro 4000 series support automatic duplex; some low-cost DeskJet models do not.
- Manual duplex
- Manual duplex prints one side then asks you to reload the pages.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models OfficeJet Pro 9125e, OfficeJet Pro 9015e, OfficeJet Pro 8025e, ENVY Inspire 7955e, DeskJet 4155e, LaserJet Pro 4101fdw, LaserJet M234sdwe, Smart Tank 7602, Smart Tank 5101.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the model supports duplex and the option is missing after driver steps, reinstall the model driver
- !If jams occur only in duplex, check the duplexer
- !If duplex is unsupported, print odd and even pages manually
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Windows 11 duplex fix.
UPD duplex.
Two-sided printing steps.
Installing the HP app and setting up.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I know my printer has duplex?+
Check the user guide; a d often marks it.
What does Two-sided Printing (Manually) mean?+
The driver does not know about the duplexer.
What does Refresh do?+
Refresh updates the driver's options, so that it lists the duplex unit.
Does Windows 11 matter?+
HP has a duplex article for it.
Does the universal driver matter?+
It can hide the duplex option.
Can paper size matter?+
Yes, paper size can matter, since some sizes are not supported for duplex.
Can a loose panel stop duplex?+
Yes, a loose panel can stop duplex, so make sure that it is seated.
Which binding edge?+
Choose the long edge for portrait pages, so that the pages turn like a book.