since the Windows 11 update, I can no longer use the duplex feature on my printers

I lose my Duplex printing when I agree to update my printer drivers. Tried steps above but it will not change from Two-sided Printing (Manually).

Hi Zelda,

Thank you for sharing your question. I get why you're annoyed losing the ability to print on both sides after a Windows 11 update is a pain and probably messes up your work.

Microsoft and printer companies know this happens when printer settings reset or don't work well with the new Windows version. Even if your printer can usually print double-sided, Windows might change settings like Duplex Unit to Not Installed or force you to flip the pages yourself.

Check if Duplex Printing is Active

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, pick your printer, and click Printing preferences. If Two-sided printing is on manual, hit the Refresh button. It should then go back to automatic duplex.

Make Sure the Duplex Unit Is Seen

In Printer properties > Device Settings, find Duplex Unit and set it to Installed if it says Not installed. This turns double-sided printing back on.  

Try New or Updated Printer Programs

Remove your printer in Settings, then get and put in the newest printer program (or the company’s main printer program, if they have one). Restart your computer after a fresh install. This can help Windows find and set up double-sided printing properly.

If it Still Doesn't Work, Try Starting Clean

Start Windows with only the necessary services running to see if something else is causing trouble. Use System Configuration, turn off services that aren't from Microsoft, restart your computer, and try printing double-sided again. If it works this time, something running in the background might be the issue.

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Noel

Unfortunately Microsoft did NOT include all the driver requirements for older printers. This is not the first time that this has happened. Luckily when they released Windows 10, someone was able to go in an provide additions to the new MS driver to get most of them to work. No idea if that will happen this time. In my case, HP did not release new drivers for my HP LaserJet P1606N, and MS only released a Generic Driver that only allow basic printing functionality. HP LaserJet Mono PCLmS Class Driver. So, I hold them both equally responsible for the issue. I'm sure that there is someone in each of the labs that have the ability to get this to work. But, not in there interest. So, for us, we keep one of each computer running Windows 10 and 11. Any large print jobs that need duplex will be moved to the Win10 System for "automatic duplex / print on both sides" printing. In the early days of computers before everyone could have networked devices, the phrase "Sneaker Net" was coined. Transferring files on floppy disk from one computer to another. I guess that yet another coined phrase for this scenario would be "Manual Duplex". Other than that, your other option is to by a new printer that Windows 11 knows how to talk to. :)