Another HP Envy 5540 Series Duplex Printing Problem

[enrjyzr]

I'm another one with this problem, but so far all of the solutions posted here and at Microsoft have failed for me.  I bought this printer specifically because of duplex printing, and 5 months ago it stopped; the printer hadn't even reached two years old [for me] at the time.  What happened around that time: my Win8.1 computer died a sudden death.  I was gifted a brand new Chromebook and set up the printer with no problem as far as wireless went.  I did not need duplex printing at that time.  And then I was gifted a new HP laptop with Win10 Home.  I set the laptop up on March 9th, and it was then I noticed I no longer had duplex printing.  Started scouring the internet for fixes.  Can't begin to tell you how many times I have deleted all software fro the printer, totally unplugged the printer [cord from wall and printer], prayed over it, cussed at it, and found a partial work around using Foxit Reader which DOES send a signal to print the document [saved as a PDF] in duplex, but that isn't always convenient.  I am skeptical over one suggestion that the duplex module has died and isn't fixable.

As a person on a very limited income I am miffed to think that I am going to have to shop for yet another printer that prints duplex as this is money I don't really have to spend.  And getting a repair shop to try to fix it would cost more than just buying a new one, which is what HP wants, anyway.

I have two other HP printers, one wired and one in the same line that is wireless, both retired for an upgrade, neither printer duplex.

So, this is mostly a general rant because there apparently isn't a solution for MY HP Envy 5540.  I have used HP printers for about 15 years now, moving from Canon, but I am considering going back to Canon now.

FWIW, this printer has been a workhorse and a pleasure to use, up until I lost the ability to duplex print.  Print is crisp and clean, although photo prints from the photo tray have some streaking problems, but not when used from the main tray.  It was a good choice in printers and for the most part I'm very satisfied with it....I just wish I could get duplex printing back.   ::: sigh :::

[ShlomiL]

Hi,
Make sure the Automatic Duplexing option is enabled:

Enter Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right click the printer icon, then click Printer Properties.
Click the Device Settings tab.
Set the Automatic Two-Sided Duplex Accessory as installed and click OK to save the change.

Now Automatic Duplexing should become available.

Regards,
Shlomi

[enrjyzr]

Thank you for answering, however, I have done that more times than I can count.  It says it's installed, but I'm stuck with manual flip, and the duplex module goes back to being uninstalled.  The ONLY time, as I have stated, that I can get a double-sided print is if I save a document as a PDF and print it from Foxit Reader.  That's the work around, but if I can make that work [there is an option for two-sided printing in Foxit printer command] it should work in any other program.  I can't afford Word so I use Libre Office Writer.  When I hit Print and the command comes up I check to see if I can duplex, but I'm stuck with manual flip, and indeed only one side will print and I would have to manually flip the page to print the other side.  Print from a web page produces the same thing - manually flip.

So, no matter how many times I click on Automatic Configuration and turn it ON showing that Automatic Duplexing is installed, the Printer Preferences still say Manual flip.  😭

::: sigh :::

Thanks for responding, ShlomiL.

[ShlomiL]

Thanks for the details @enrjyzr, a such would likely occur due to corrupt printer drivers.

Please try reinstalling the HP Software by removing it from the control panel and reinstalling the latest drivers and check, or follow below workaround and see if that may help:

1. Download and run below drivers:
   https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/COL61235/mp-147821-1/EN5540_Full_WebPack_1119.exe
2. Click the Start button and type %temp% into the search bar, then open the shown Temp folder.
3. Open the latest HP installation folder which begins with 7z (e.g. 7zs1234), you may sort if by Date Modified.
4. Click the top address bar and copy the path.
5. Search for Control Panel and open the Control Panel.
6. Select Devices and Printers.
7. Right-click the printer driver and select Printer Properties, within the Ports tab take note of the selected port and close this window.
8. Click Add Printer.
9. Click the Printer that I want isn't listed.
10. Select to set up a local printer or a network printer with manual configuration.
11. select the same port as used by your printer.
12. Click Have Disk.
13. Paste the copied address from step 4 and press OK.
14. Select your printer name with PCL-3 listing and press Next.
15. Select to replace the existing printer driver and confirm, then complete the wizard.

Now check for any difference using the newly added print queue.

Shlomi

[enrjyzr]

SholmiL, as I started to follow your directions, I decided to check through Device settings one more time when I noticed under the Advanced tab under Properties something that had not been there before: Driver: HP Envy 5540 Series ---> New Driver.  I had thought like you that the problem might be a corrupted printer driver and I had looked numerous times in Device settings for a way to check/install a new one, but despite going through all the tabs, nothing ever showed up - until today. 

Going through the new driver wizard it came up with two drivers for the same date in Feb. 2017 but different versions.  I selected the first one which was older than the second one.  It quickly installed and voilà! I have my duplex printing back!  I have no clue why the New Driver choice had not been there before, but was excited to see it was there and that I was able to get my settings back!

Thank you for your patience! and for your help!  🕺