Your printer won't print on both sides even though you selected it
Double-sided printing needs three things to work: your printer has the feature, your Mac driver supports it, and you actually selected it in the print settings. Check all three places and it will work.
Your printer's driver software on your Mac needs to support double-sided printing. Your printer hardware needs to have the feature. And you need to actually turn it on in the print dialog. If any of these is missing, it won't work.
Risk: Low
⏱ 15-25 minutes
Intermediate
Fix-IT-Bot will walk you through each step — just tap, no typing needed.
Skip — I just want a technicianCommon mistakes to avoid
- Not checking if the printer actually has the feature. Wastes a lot of time troubleshooting
- Not checking printer's own settings. Many people only check the Mac side
- Testing only in Word without testing Preview. Word has its own driver that can be the problem
Signs you need professional help
- Double-sided option is missing from the print dialog even after updating drivers. Printer says it supports duplex but Mac won't find the option. Printer shows duplex enabled but physically won't print double-sided. Can be a mechanical issue.
Book a technician
We can fix most issues remotely in 15 minutes. Weekend appointments — book your slot and we handle the rest.
Was this guide helpful?
Can't fix it yourself?
Most issues are resolved remotely in 15 minutes. Weekend appointments only — no parts, no in-home visit needed.