HP Officejet 6968 Defaults to Landscape when I use custom paper size

[DSP2]

My HP Officejet Pro 6968 is not picking up my custom paper size and orientation when I print a Word doc. It resets to landscape and a paper size I did  not select when I try and print a doc. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers and that did not help.

[Dragon-Fur]

@DSP2 

Could be related to a number of things, including the lack of HP Software and Driver support for Windows 10 on your computer.

System, one of:

• HP Compaq 8200 Elite All-in-One PC
• HP Compaq 8200 Elite Microtower PC
• HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra-slim PC
• HP Compaq 8200 Elite Small Form Factor PC
• HP Compaq 8200 Elite Convertible Minitower PC

Places to check / consider / adjust settings include (and may not be limited to):

The Full Feature Software is available for Windows 10 - whether the software is having trouble because of the lack of other driver support is not something I can answer.  If you have not done so, download-save-install the Full Feature Software.  After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in.

The printer does support Custom Paper Size forms

Creating Custom Paper Sizes

Make sure your custom form adheres to the custom paper sizes supported in your printer (not too small, too large, too long, or too short).

 Specifications > Paper Handling includes the supported custom paper sizes:

To avoid paper jams and other issues when printing on nonstandard custom paper sizes, make sure the dimensions fall within the parameters listed in the following table.

Paper size	Tray 1	ADF
88.9 to 215 mm (3.5 to 8.5 inches) wide and 127 to 355 mm (5.0 to 14.0 inches) long	☑️
127 to 216 mm (5.0 to 8.5 inches) wide and 127 to 355 mm (5.0 to 14.0 inches) long		☑️

Check other setups in the Specs, too - for example, only the Officejet Pro 6970 supports auto-duplex.

Depending on your version of Office Word, there might be "something" going on there,.  In general, most of the recent versions of Office are similarly compatible with the latest versions of Windows 10.  What?  If there is an incompatibility within your installation / version of Office Word with the printer, with the Operating System, with "anything" over which you have no control, then nothing you do will actually resolve the problem.

Assuming other factors are not to blame, take another look at your setup for printing from Word on this custom paper.

Open Word document

In Layout, change the paper size to match the paper size you are using.

NOTE:

After you create your custom size form, if you are having trouble finding the new form in your Word document print settings, Restart the computer and log in - check again.  If the page size does not show up in your Word document  "Layout > Size", select to see more page sizes, slide to the end of the list and select "custom", then enter the dimensions.

Check / adjust the margins - most printers will tolerate 1/2 inch around (narrow margins).

General Examples

Document_Word_A5_Setup_1

Test_Document_5X7_2

In general, paper is loaded narrow sides front/back as explained in the User Guide for your printer (Chapter 2).

After you load your custom size paper, you need to tell the printer about the paper size.

Check / Adjust / Retain the Paper at the Printer Panel

Open Printer Tray,

If you have not yet done so, add desired paper type

Close Tray

IF applicable for your printer:

On the printer control panel, Click Modify (wording varies), set the paper size and type, Click OK

NOTE:  If the size of the Paper Size is not in the Drop-down list, Select Custom

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

As best you can, given the what is available, Select the paper size in your software.

If setting the preferences from within Word > File > Print, set the printer preferences in "Printer Properties".

If setting the Printing Preferences default:

Set the Preferences - Windows

1. The following assumes the Full Feature Software has been installed.
2. Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”
3. Select and adjust settings in each category for the Media (kind of paper), source (tray), and paper size.

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click on your printer > Set as Default

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click on your printer > Printing Preferences >

Tab Printing Shortcuts > Click / Highlight preferred shortcut > Click Apply > Click OK to exit

If the printer software supports the feature, change the settings as desired, then use “Save as” to create a Custom Shortcut.

OR

Windows key + S (search for) Printers and Scanners

Left-Click on (your) Printer > Manage >

Printing Preferences

Select a shortcut and / or set “preferred settings” for paper, source (tray), other settings

Optional (if / as available): Save As > enter a name for your custom shortcut

Click OK to save the preferences

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Printer

Clarification of terms and "what the printer can do" (Specifications)

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

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

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

HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 All-in-One Printer

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