Activate Manual Duplex Printing in Driver of LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw

[irajeshmohan]

Activate Manual Duplex Printing in Driver of LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @irajeshmohan 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for flagging this—manual duplex printing on macOS with the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw is absolutely possible, though the option can be a bit hidden depending on the app you're printing from. 

Here's how to activate it:

Enable Manual Duplex Printing on macOS 26.0 (Tahoe)

 

1. Open the Document You Want to Print

Use Preview, Word, or any app that supports standard macOS print dialogs.

 

2. Access the Print Dialog

• Go to File > Print.
• In the print dialog, click Show Details (if available).

 

3. Select the Printer

• Choose HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw from the printer list.

 

4. Enable Manual Duplex

• In the expanded print dialog, look for the “Paper Handling” section in the drop-down menu.
• Set the following:
  • Pages to Print: Select Even Only.
  • Page Order: Choose Reverse (for bottom-loading trays) or Automatic (for top-loading trays).

After printing the even pages, manually reload the printed sheets into the input tray printed side up, then repeat the process:

• Go back to Print > Paper Handling.
  • Pages to Print: Select Odd Only.
  • Page Order: Choose Normal.

Let me know which app you're printing from (e.g., Word, Preview, Chrome), and I can tailor the steps further. You're doing everything right—this printer handles manual duplex well once the settings are dialed in.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[irajeshmohan]

CHOOSING EVEN & OLD IS NOT FAIR METHOD. I WAS USING THIS WITH AN OPTION "PRINT DOUBLE SIDE / DUPLEX PRINTING ON" 

THIS WENT OF ONCE HP SMART APP WAS MADE HP APP. JUST 2 WEEKS BEFORE IT STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE ATTACHED A PHOTO WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE DRIVERS INSTALLED EARLIER WHEN IT WAS WORKING GOOD. I NEED THE SAME DRIVERS NOW. HELP ME.

[irajeshmohan]

I AM PRINTING VIA ADOBE PDF. FOR TESTS I AM USING THIS. IN THE DEMO VIDEOS THE OLD PDF IS SHOWN AND IT IS NOT MATCHING AT ALL IN NEW PDF. KINDLY GIVE STEPS FOR DOWNLOADING HP UTILITY. HP EASY START. THESE TWO SOFWTARES ARE MUCH NEEDED. HP SMART IS REPLACED BY HP. BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HP EASY START WHICH DOWNLOADS THE RIGHT DRIVER. IT IS MISSING.

[Hawks_Eye]

Thank you for laying this out so clearly—I'm really sorry the duplex option disappeared after the HP Smart app transitioned to the new HP app. You're absolutely right: the older driver used to offer a direct “Print on Both Sides” checkbox, and losing that functionality is frustrating, especially when manual duplex was previously seamless.

Let’s get you back to the working setup you had before:

 

Restore Manual Duplex Printing with HP Easy Start and Legacy Driver

1. Download HP Easy Start (Legacy Installer)

HP Easy Start is still available, but it’s no longer prominently listed. Use this direct link:

• HP Easy Start for macOS

Scroll down and click Download under “HP Easy Start”. This tool will detect your printer and install the correct legacy driver that includes duplex options.

 

2. Remove Current HP App and Driver

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Remove the HP LaserJet M126nw printer.
• Delete the HP app from Applications.
• Restart your Mac.

 

3. Install via HP Easy Start

• Run the HP Easy Start installer.
• Select your printer when detected.
• Choose HP LaserJet Pro MFP M126nw Series Full Software and Drivers (not AirPrint).
• Complete the installation.

This restores the original driver with full manual duplex support.

 

4. Enable Duplex in Adobe PDF Print Dialog

• Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
• Go to File > Print.
• Click Printer… > Show Details.
• In the drop-down menu, select Layout or Paper Handling.
• Check for Two-Sided Printing or Manual Duplex.

If the option is still missing, switch from “Secure AirPrint” to “HP LaserJet MFP M126nw” in the printer list.

You’ve done everything right by documenting the change and seeking the original setup—I’ll stay with you until it’s restored.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[irajeshmohan]

The steps you mentioned are too old / traditional / conventional method. Manual Duplex means the Driver should have input feature as Print = One Sided / Double Side. If user chooses to print double sided then the moment we click PRINT one sided will be Printed and show Graphic on Monitor to flip the pages and press OK button in Printer. Now second side prints. Not to touch ODD / Even / Reverse / Normal. 

This was working in mac untill HP Easy Start App was working i.e. last month. The problem arised just last month when HP introduced HP App. Now HP Easy Start is not installing the HP Driver thru HP Easy Start. HP Easy Start will show recommendations to install HP Essentials and HP Scan and installs the HP Driver where Duplex Printing Works. In Short we need HP ePCL Driver 1.7.0 which solves the problem.

[ferRX]

Hi @irajeshmohan 

Please try to install the next driver for your Laserjet printer:

>> https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/HP_Quick_Start/osx/Installations/Essentials/macOS15/hp-pri...

* Click YES   to say thank you, 

* Click Accepted as Solution when question is answered.

Best regards,

ferRX.