Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallTo print on both sides, choose Print on Both Sides in the print settings for the printer you intend to use, then select the long-edge or short-edge flip option if it is available. Windows’ default-printer setting only selects a device; it does not set a universal duplex or flip-edge default. Those controls depend on the app, printer, and driver.
Set the printer Windows should use by default
In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Turn off Let Windows manage my default printer if you want to keep a particular printer selected. Choose that printer and select Set as default. When Windows manages the default, it may change the selection to the last printer you used. Microsoft’s Windows printer instructions also document the Windows 10 route: Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Manage, then Set as default.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choosing a default printer does not determine how it prints. Duplex and flip-edge options are selected separately in an app’s print screen or in the selected printer’s preferences.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Choose two-sided printing and the flip edge
In Microsoft Word
- Open the document and choose File > Print.
- Under Settings, open the Print One Sided menu.
- If available, select Print on Both Sides, then choose the long-edge or short-edge flip option shown for your printer.
- Check the print preview, or print a test sheet, to confirm the reverse side is upright in the intended layout.
Microsoft’s instructions cover Word for Microsoft 365 and Word 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016. The exact menu labels and available options can differ in other apps and printer drivers. In some setups, look for Printer preferences or Printing preferences for the selected device; there is no single Windows dialog path that sets a system-wide duplex default for every app and printer. Microsoft’s Word duplex instructions describe the app-level controls.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Pick the edge that matches the way the page turns
| Option | Typical use | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Flip sheets on long edge | Portrait pages that turn like a book. | Confirm the back is upright when the sheet is turned along its long edge. |
| Flip sheets on short edge | Pages intended to turn over the top edge, including some calendars or landscape layouts. | Preview both sides or test a sheet; change the edge if the back is upside down. |
These are layout guidelines, not guarantees for every document. Microsoft’s Publisher guidance, for example, recommends checking the front and back and changing to short-edge flipping if the reverse is not upright. See Microsoft’s Publisher duplex guidance.
If the duplex option is missing
- Confirm the selected printer. Different installed printers can offer different options. Make sure the app is not sending the job to another device.
- Check the printer’s capability. Consult its manual or the manufacturer’s support page to see whether it supports automatic duplex printing.
- Check the driver and setup. Windows supports many printers automatically, but a suitable or updated driver may expose additional controls. Microsoft says drivers may be available through Windows Update. Its instructions for adding a printer explain the Windows setup route.
- Try the app or printer preferences. Some apps and driver interfaces place two-sided printing in different menus, and not all expose the same labels.
Microsoft describes Windows 11’s modern print platform as designed to work with Mopria-certified devices. Traditional driver installations may present different controls; the available settings still depend on the printer and its setup. Microsoft’s overview of the Windows modern print platform explains the platform scope.
Rank #2
- BEST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Engineered for extraordinary productivity, the Brother DCP-L2640DW Monochrome (Black & White) 3-in-1 combines laser printer, scanner, copier in one compact footprint and delivers high-quality black & white prints
- FAST PRINTER WITH EFFICIENT SCANNING – Produces documents quickly with print speeds up to 36 ppm(2) and scan speeds up to 23.6/7.9 ipm(3) (black/color). A 50-page auto document feeder(4) allows for convenient, time saving multi-page scanning and copying
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTION OPTIONS – Easily navigate the changing demands of your business with secure multi-device connectivity via built-in dual-band wireless (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Ethernet. Or connect locally to a single computer via USB interface
- BROTHER MOBILE CONNECT APP – Print, scan, and manage your wireless printer anytime, from almost anywhere from your mobile device. Order Brother Genuine Supplies, track toner usage, and complete more work on-the-go(5)
- CHOOSE BROTHER GENUINE TONER – When it’s time to replace your toner, be sure to choose Brother Genuine TN830 or TN830XL replacement toner. And with Refresh EZ Print Subscription Service, you’ll never worry about running out of toner again and you’ll enjoy savings of up to 50%(6) on Brother Genuine Toner. Get started with Refresh today with a Free Trial(1)
Use manual duplex if automatic two-sided printing is unavailable
If the printer cannot automatically print both sides, Word offers manual duplex printing, and printing odd-numbered pages followed by even-numbered pages can also serve as a fallback. Follow the app’s prompts for reloading paper, then test a few pages first: the correct reload direction depends on how the printer feeds and outputs sheets. Microsoft documents manual duplex and odd/even page printing in its Word duplex instructions.
Windows version note
The Windows 11 and Windows 10 printer-settings paths differ, as listed above. Microsoft’s current default-printer support page says Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; that lifecycle date does not change the distinction between choosing a printer and choosing duplex options for a print job. Check Microsoft’s default-printer page for its current instructions.
Quick Recap
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
Rank #3
- FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Perfect for offices and small businesses printing black & white documents and reports.
- KEY FEATURES – Fast print speeds, auto 2-sided printing, smart-guided buttons,150-sheet input tray and USB cable included.
- BUILT FOR SPEED – Quickly finish multipage print projects with the fastest in-class two-sided printing speed.
- AWARD-WINNING DESIGN – Save space without sacrificing performance with a compact design.
- EXCEPTIONAL LASER QUALITY – Rely on consistent, quality prints page after page.
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.
