HP Office Jet Pro 8720 Stopped printing two sided pages

[larry_o]

Up until today I was able to print 2 sided pages (duplex) on my HP Office Jet Pro 8720.

Today when I tried 2 sided printing, I selected the 2 sided printing option in preferences but the box to select which edge to print on was not highlighted and I was unable to select anything. When I attempted to print, it would only print on one side.

I tried the troubleshooting app but it came up with no errors. I'm using Windows 10 but it's worked OK until now. The printer has been updated to the latest software.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Dragon-Fur]

@larry_o 

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Edit - Add reference to Firmware Update

New Content

Although not directly related to the issue of duplex printing,

If it has not been done, consider updating the Printer Firmware for the sake of "good printer health".

Always read all the information in Description / Fixes before updating firmware.

HP Officejet Pro 8710/8720 Firmware Update 

Original Content

Some places to check...

Reloading the software can sometimes "reset" (remove) the duplex setting in Printer Properties > Device Settings.

Duplex feature installed? (Model Dependent)

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

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

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

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

HPPSdr.exe

Duplex unit attached to the printer? (Model Dependent)

If there is a Duplexer unit attached to the back of the printer, consider re-seating (removing/replacing)  the Duplexer box.  If you do remove the duplexer, take a moment to check inside the printer cavity for tiny stuck paper bits – while stuck paper would normally result in a “paper jam” error, the condition might generate problems with printing duplex.

Duplex / Simplex option in Printing Preferences (Model Dependent)

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers >

Right-Click Printer > Select Printing Preferences

For Duplex:  Select a shortcut that provides the two-sided option and leave that shortcut highlighted (selected)

For Simplex (one sided):  Select a shortcut that does include NOT two-sided option and leave that shortcut highlighted (selected)

And / Or (if your printer software supported “custom shortcuts”)

Select a shortcut > Make changes that includes what you need / want (two-sided or one-sided)

NOTES

• Not sure where to start?  Select Shortcut “Everyday Printing” or “Everyday Scan”
• Remember to check the settings within each Tab section
• Pay attention – not all Media types (kind of paper) and / or paper sizes support Duplex

Optional

If the printer supports the option,

Save the changed shortcut settings by clicking on the Master (currently selected shortcut) or use “Save As” (wording varies) to create a Custom shortcut

Leave the (new / custom) shortcut you want highlighted as the “default”

Click Apply / OK to save the shortcut

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 OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series 

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[Sk86]

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[Dragon-Fur]

@Sk86 

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[larry_o]

Thank you for the suggestions. While trying them I noticed (which i must of missed before), that in the printing defaults, ALL of the options have lock symbols on them which i assume this means none of them can be selected. I have uninstalled the printer and reinstalled it with no success.

How can I remove the locks?

Thank you.

[Dragon-Fur]

@larry_o 

You are welcome.

Edits - Add content - Shortcuts

You don't "remove" the locks.  These are "templates" to be selected and used "as is" or edited and saved under a "custom" shortcut name.

Select a locked template - make changes to it - save it under a new name.

For those reading

For example, start with General Everyday Printing (or similar).

Remember that duplex is not compatible with all sizes and paper types.

Photo paper, for example, does not allow duplex printing.

Not all paper sizes support two-sided printing.

Check your Specifications for which paper sizes support duplex.

Printer Specifications for HP OfficeJet Pro 8700 Printers

Paper Handling > Supported Paper Sizes

In those cases where you are not sure, try it - the printer won't let you select an unsupported combination.

Example

Printing Preferences

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" .

[larry_o]

The printing preferences/ printer shortcut box will not allow me to select anything  other than paper type, print quality and pages per sheet. Anything else is disabled.

I even returned the printer to it original factory settings and the lock symbols still appear under shortcuts.

[Dragon-Fur]

@larry_o 

I cannot explain it - I had an 8740 for a time as a loaner and it could do just about anything I would ask of it.

If you have not done so, consider a hard restart.

HP Printers - Printer Turns Off Unexpectedly or Repeatedly 

Step 2

I am out of ideas that I can suggest.

I might have missed something, of course - and I am restricted about that I can suggest (I don't work for HP).

I suggest you start a new thread:  Describe the issue, mention everything you have tried (removing / loading the full driver printer software, hard start, duplex check, changing Shortcuts, installing firmware, etc).  If you like add an image to help illustrate the issue.  Mention which applications you have tried (HP Smart, Word, Adobe Reader DC - these all have two-sided printing options).

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" .