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Print double-sided from a Windows app
- Open the document and choose File > Print, or use the app’s equivalent print command.
- Select the printer you intend to use.
- Open Printer Properties, Preferences, Printer Setup, or a similarly named control.
- Find and enable Two-sided, Duplex, or Print on both sides. Depending on the driver, the option may be under Layout, Features, or Finishing. HP’s enterprise Windows instructions, for example, place it on a Finishing tab, but the exact layout varies by Windows version and app.
- Choose the flip edge, check the print preview if available, and print. Turn a finished page as intended to confirm the reverse side is upright.
Duplex printing means printing on both sides of a sheet. It may be automatic or require you to reinsert the pages. Microsoft’s PrintDuplex reference names the two flip modes TwoSidedLongEdge and TwoSidedShortEdge; the control presented in a particular app may use different wording.
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Long edge or short edge: which should you choose?
The setting describes the axis around which the sheet flips. For portrait pages, the usual choice depends on how you want to turn the finished pages:
- Long edge: choose this for book-like pages that turn along the long side of the sheet.
- Short edge: choose this for calendar-like pages that turn along the short side.
For landscape pages, consider the intended binding or turning direction rather than relying on the portrait-page rule. If the result is unclear, print one sheet first and check whether the reverse is upright when turned the way you expect. This is a practical way to verify the selected flip axis; driver labels and behavior can differ.
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What to do when duplex printing is missing
- Confirm the printer supports duplex. Check the printer manual or its properties. Microsoft notes that the setting may appear in print settings when the selected printer supports it.
- Verify the selected printer and driver. Make sure the app is using the intended device and a driver that exposes its features. The control can be absent if the selected configuration or driver does not offer it.
- Check whether automatic duplex hardware is installed. HP’s instructions for covered enterprise printers say automatic two-sided printing requires an automatic duplexer. If one is not installed, manual duplex may be available instead.
- Follow the device-specific manual-feed instructions. In manual duplex, the app or driver may print one side and prompt you to reinsert the pages. Tray paths and page orientation vary, so follow the prompt or printer manual rather than assuming a universal stack-flipping direction.
Microsoft’s guidance for Publisher and Word also distinguishes automatic and manual duplex and advises checking printer capability.
Check the paper before printing both sides
Supported media depends on the printer model. HP warns that, under its covered guidance, envelopes, photo or glossy paper, transparencies, and paper lighter than 60 g/m² (16 lb) or heavier than 105 g/m² (28 lb) should not be printed on both sides, to help prevent jams and printer damage. These limits are not universal specifications for every printer; consult the manual for your exact model and paper.
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Before buying a printer for automatic duplex
First check whether your existing printer supports automatic duplex. If you are comparing models, verify the exact configuration and its supported media rather than assuming every version in a product series has the same features. HP lists automatic duplex printing as standard for the LaserJet Pro 4002dw configuration; that specification does not establish current price, stock, or availability in a particular region.
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Rank #4
- BEST FOR HOME OFFICES & SMALL TEAMS – Engineered for consistent, premium print quality, the Brother HL-L2460DW Monochrome (Black & White) Laser Printer produces documents that are clear, crisp, and easy to review and share, all at an affordable price
- COMPACT, CONNECTED, EXCEPTIONALLY EFFICIENT– Connect with built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz/5GHz), Ethernet, or to a single computer via USB interface. Prints at speeds up to 36ppm(2), plus automatic duplex printing saves time and reduces paper waste
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Manage your wireless printer remotely and print from your mobile device anytime, from almost anywhere. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(3)
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING – Tackle high-volume black & white printing with the 250-sheet capacity paper tray.(4) The manual feed slot enables printing on envelopes and specialty paper
- BROTHER IS AT YOUR SIDE – Backed by Brother with a 1-year limited warranty and free online, call, or live chat support for the life of your printer
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
