Problem is how to get my HP Deskjet 6988 printer to print "double sided automatically" with WIN 10

[rgrthumb]

My Deskjet 6988 has been printing double sided automatically (I have the proper hardware attachment) for the last 3 years. However, when I upgraded to Windows 10, that feature quite working. No drivers are available online (HP site) and the disk that came with my printer won't work with Windows 10. Does anyone know of a solution to this problem? I really like my printer and don't believe I should have to buy a new printer to get automatic double sided printing. 

[DocCottle]

Hey @rgrthumb,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!

I understand that you are having some issues with printing two-sided on your Deskjet 6988 All-in-One Printer after upgrading to Windows 10. I can help you with that.

To restore your ability to use two-sided printing:

1. If the printer is connected by a USB cable to your PC, remove it.
2. In your search bar type in Printers and open Devices and Printers.
3. Right-click on any icons of your printer listed.
4. Click on Remove Device.
5. Repeat for any other icons of your printer listed.
6. If you removed the USB cable, connect it.

If you connected the USB cable, but your printer did not appear in the list or if the printer is connected through a network:

1. Click on Add Printer at the top.
2. When you reach the screen asking you to select a printer select HP on the left. On the right, select Deskjet 6988, Deskjet 6980 Series, or a printer with a similar name. If there are no such printers listed, select Deskjet 9800 Printer instead.

Please let me know the results after following the above. If you can print two-sided, please click on Accept Solution. If you appreciate my help, please click on the thumbs up icon. Both icons are below this post.

[dansdaduk · Accepted solution]

On Windows systems, the 'automatic discovery' feature used by some drivers on installation (or update) doesn't always work; ensure that the driver knows that a duplex unit is present on the printer (assuming that one is present):

• For the printer instance in question, bring up the Printer properties dialogue.
• Select the Device settings tab.
• Ensure that the duplex unit is set to Installed rather than Not installed.

You'll probably need to be logged in with administrator credentials in order to change the device settings.

If your model does not have a duplex unit fitted (i.e. it is not one of the models with a 'd' suffix), then you can't do automatic duplexing; you can only do manual duplexing (assuming that the printer driver supports this).

[rgrthumb]

This was helpful. I used info you provided after using the info provided by DocCottle. Both steps were necessary, and I now have "double-sided" printing. Thank you for your help.