how to enable double-sided printing with my Brother printer

Question

I am unable to access duplex printing since installing my Brother printer

Answer 1

Which Brother model do you have? Can you share the model information, please?

I need to determine if the model supports double-sided printing first.

If so, it is important to make sure you are using the driver from Brother, not a generic/universal driver. And to get that driver, I need the model information as well.

Answer 2

To enable double-sided printing, first check whether the Brother printer is exposing duplex support in Windows and in the app’s print dialog:

1. In the app being used, open File > Print.
2. Under Settings, look for Print One Sided.
3. If Print on Both Sides appears, select it.
4. If automatic duplex is not available, select Manually Print on Both Sides instead. Word will prompt to reinsert the paper.

If the duplex option is missing after installing the printer, the printer or driver may not be set up correctly. Try these steps in Windows 11:

1. Turn off the printer, unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on.
2. Check the connection:
   • For USB, make sure the cable is firmly connected.
   • For wireless, make sure the printer wireless option is turned on and that the PC and printer are on the same network.
3. Reinstall the printer manually:
   • Go to Windows printer setup and choose to add the printer manually.
   • If it is connected directly by USB, select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.
   • Choose the existing port the printer uses.
   • Install the correct driver. If a Brother driver disc is available, use Have Disk. Otherwise, use Windows Update to refresh the printer list, then select the Brother manufacturer and the correct model.
   • Print a test page when setup finishes.
4. If printer settings are unavailable in Office apps, update Office or the printer driver from the printer manufacturer.

If duplex still does not appear, the printer device may not be exposing duplex capability to Windows. In that case, check the printer manual or the Brother support information for that model. A similar case notes that automatic duplex behavior is controlled by the printer, not by Word, and an updated Brother driver may be required.

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