OfficeJet Pro 8710 no longer prints duplex

[JohnMan1]

I have had this printer about a year and have used automatic duplex printing the whole time. In the last few weeks I started getting messages when I select duplex that I need to reinsrt the sheet for manual duplex print. The printer also shows a message on its screen to reconfirm that I am printing 8 1/2 X 11. If I go into Windows Printer Preferences it asks if I want to "Print on Both Sides Manually". It is like it has forgotten that my printer can do automatic duplex.

Note that sometimes duplex comes back and then goes away again. Very strange. When it does work then, even though I said to flip on the long edge, it flips on the short edge.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@JohnMan1

In general, Printing Preferences "stick".

Caveat:  If you use a different shortcut (standard preset or custom shortcut you have created) and "that" shortcut becomes the new "preference", then it looks like the printer is not doing what it should because it is using a different setup than you remember choosing as "preferred".

I would guess this is not the case, assuming you follow my rather stilted logic.  After a year, you likely know that the printer is set to one shortcut / preference or another.

You have likely checked all the reasonable places and settings -- I have these to offer for a "double check".  Hmm, unintended pun.

Precheck – Ensure Duplex is set to “Installed”

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click on Printer >

Printer Properties > tab Device Settings >

Under Installable Options > Duplex Unit = Installed > OK

Check / Adjust settings in Properties - PDF printing

Adjust the Print settings within the Print Page (print menu). 

Before printing, verify, adjust, double check all settings in Properties.

Reminder:  Margins are preset – likely to 1 inch – use “Fit” or “Shrink oversize pages” to ensure page contents fit on the printed paper.

Open the PDF file (as shown with Adobe Reader X1 and Adobe Reader DC)

File > Print > Under Page Sizing & Handling

Select or Clear setting Print on both sides of Paper 

Select Auto portrait / landscape OR select Portrait or Landscape

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

If you have not done so, consider removing the Full Feature Software > Restart > Download, save, and install a fresh copy.  Check the Firmware -- there is a "new" update as of this writing (Feb 2018).

Printer Software – Uninstall Existing Software (Optional)

If the software is already installed and you want (need) to uninstall it:

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Scroll down, click, and Uninstall the software

After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in

Printer Software - Installation

NOTE:  If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation.  Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).

Download, save, and install the Full Feature Software for your Operating System version

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

Video help

NOTE:  Videos may be found in one or more locations (depending on printer / software / version)

Open the printer Software and Drivers page >

Scroll down and select Related Videos > Click View All >

Find and view the relevant video

AND / OR

Open the printer support Homepage >

Scroll down and select Video Tutorials > Click View All >

Find and view the relevant video

Firmware

Consider installing the latest printer Firmware

READ (when provided) all instructions before installing the firmware

If / After the firmware is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Reminder:  Firmware is only updated after the printer software is installed / functional.

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

Hardware?  It might be a sensor that is failing, in which case you can set / reset / set again and the printer will do what it likes.

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Answered? Click post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[JohnMan1]

You nailed it! When I went to Device Settings, my Tray 2 and the Duplex Printing were both set to "Not Installed". It is a mystery as to how they got marked that way as I certainly did not do it, but it works fine when I just changed those to "Installed". If it happens again I will go straight to Printer Properties and check.

Thank you!

[Dragon-Fur]

@JohnMan1

You are welcome.

Excellent outcome.

Reinstalling the software can cause this... maybe Windows Updates? 

Happy Printing.

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