Duplex printing no longer automatically prints on both sides

[ahoythere1]

Since upgrading my Dell laptop a few weeks ago, I am unable to do automatic duplex printing on my HP7E3170 (HP Envy 5540 series) printer. Instead, part-way through printing I get this dialog box (with blurry text):

Instead of automatically printing on both sides of paper, I am now being asked to reinsert the first sheet of paper!

If I click on 'Properties' (when I want to print something), this window appears:

Notice it says ' Print on Both Sides Manually'. I don't want to print manually, I want the printer to print on both sides automatically. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@ahoythere1 

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Printer Specifications for HP ENVY 5540, DeskJet 5570 Printers

Printer supports two-sided print.

Section: Printing specifications

Reloading the OS (migrating / updating) can disrupt installed software, including printer software.

If you have not done so,

Try / Consider

Duplex feature installed? (Model Dependent)

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

Right-Click Printer > Printer Properties > tab Device Settings >

Below Installable Options > Automatic Duplexing Unit > Select / Verify Installed > OK

Continued loss of duplex setting?  Try this Different Doctor version:

HPPSdr.exe

What else?

• Uninstall the existing printer software from Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and log in

Next,

 (Windows)

If you have not done so, download-save-install the Full Feature Software for the printer

  HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software

• Download-and-Save the printer software (Full Feature Software / HP Smart / Easy Start)
• Right-Click on the downloaded package and "Run as Administrator" to start the installation
• Reminder:  If using Easy Start, select the Full Driver

  About 2/3 of the way through the setup, you will be given the opportunity to select the software - select the "Full" driver set (as opposed to the basic driver).

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in.

Full driver provides print and scan functions (even if HP Smart proves to be stubborn).

Printer  Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP ENVY 5544 All-in-One Printer 

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[ahoythere1]

Dragon Fur,

Thank you for your assistance, but OMG, I have spent several hours and consumed vast quantities of paper and ink following your steps, uninstalling and reinstalling the software and doing test prints. It really shouldn't be this difficult to install printer software especially on a brand new Windows 10 Dell laptop.

On about the third attempt, I don't know what I did differently, but the window showing 'Automatic Duplexing Unit' is now showing as 'Installed'. Previously, it was showing as 'Not installed'. 

Navigation: Control Panel > View Devices and printers > [select your printer] > Printer properties >Device Settings > Automatic Duplexing Unit [should be 'Installed']

I've just tried duplex printing and halleluja, the printer is now automatically printing on both sides without prompting me to manually reinsert the piece of paper 🙂

Folks, what I can say is that unless you see this screen in Printer Properties (when selecting the Two-Sided Duplex Printing option), the problem described at the start of this thread will persist. Notice the screenshot in my original post and this one:

Instead of the drop-down box showing 'Print on Both Sides Manually', it's now showing as 'Print on Both Sides'.

One more thing: I found the HP Print and Scan Doctor app really frustrating. The software would either stall when in use, or it would flag a problem with the device, but then not be able to fix it. I was also unable to figure out how to uninstall the program. When you go to Add or Remove Programs, the app is not listed. This nearly drove me mad. 

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@ahoythere1 

You are welcome.

I am glad it's fixed.

I am sorry it was so difficult.

Stay Safe.

For those reading: 

Software Installation - Test Print

Installing the full driver printer software includes an optional image test print at the end. 

This step can be skipped when not wanted / needed.

Windows 

Windows Updates and other changes to the Windows File System can disrupt software and settings.

When available, check / recheck those settings to determine if your attempts to fix an issue are succeeding.

For example,

Recheck the Duplex setting ("Installed") Printer Properties > Device Settings before test printing.

The Doctor

The "doctor" is extracted and run directly from the executable file.

The "doctor" is deleted directly from the location it was originally downloaded.

For example,

Open your Downloads folder

Find the hppsdr.exe file > Right-Click on the file name and select Delete

Reduce Ink Use

Use a test file that includes only the basic content you need to test the issue.

For example,

Two-sided print, for example, can be tested with a Word document on which there are a very few words printed on the first page, a Break page, and a few words to designate "page 2".

One-Stop Solution Shop

HP DIAGNOSTIC SOLUTIONS - Printing / Computing Issues

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.

Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .