OfficeJet Pro 6978 two-sided printing not working in Win. 10

[OfficejetJ6480]

Hello,

I am registered with two different HP printers.  Today, I am writing about the OfficeJet Pro 6978.

Two-sided has always worked, even in Win.10.  (HPEliteDesk800 pc)  For now I'll focus on Word doc.  I usually have the choice to select two-sided printing either from "Properties" tab, or another type box (forget name).  I'm locked out of selecting two-sided from either box.   And if "Duplex" is offered, it won't "apply".    I have uninstalled and re-installed the full software package direct from HP site.  Didn't fix.

In search of forum I found this fix in 2018.  It was for a person with Mac.  I have Win10. ------------

<<<<<Can you go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound >  Devices and Printers > Select your printer (Officejet Pro 6970) > Printer Properties > Device Settings 

Under Installable Options, make sure the the "Automatic Duplexing Unit is selected as "Installed">>>

----------------------

The selection that is there says "not installed" and I cannot change it.  It's locked in.

Also, I happen to change the choice of Printer Selection to use for printing the word doc,  to  "HP ePrint + JetAdvantage", and now I have access to selecting two-sided "front to back".   HP ePrint was only other selection with "HP" in name.  

Am I supposed to use EPrint from now on?  Doesn't seem right.   

How to get the selection for "OfficeJet Pro 6970" back?

Any ideas where to go from here?   I use this feature a lot.

Thank you so much!

Massachusetts

[OfficejetJ6480]

Hello, I'm back.   I do need assistance.  This piece of instruction from another post (for a Mac. Mine is Win.10)  cannot be changed from "not installed".  (I'm re-pasting from my original inquiry post above)

Instruction from above post:

Under Installable Options, make sure the the "Automatic Duplexing Unit is selected as "Installed"

As I said, mine reads "not installed" and is locked in.  Can't change it.

I am completely unable to change through any avenue, including through the preferences tab.  The "shortcut settings" are locked in.

I know  the "eprint + jetadvantage" does allow for selecting two-sided printing, but I don't like the software otherwise.  It's a whole different setup and not convenient. Too many boxes to go through.

I prefer the basic driver version that I've always used.  No fancy whistles needed.

I deleted original software when it went awry, and tried different softwares and drivers from website. None work for duplex. (only eprint+)

I don't know why the duplex suddenly changed. I've always had access to it.  I've had the printer for several years and worked fine. (everything else is working fine right now)

I use the feature often.

I really appreciate guidance what to do now.

Sorry about long post. 

[Kumar0307]

@OfficejetJ6480, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I understand you are not able to print on both sides from your computer. Let us try these steps:

Install the printer using the TCP/IP port:

Check for any pending Windows updates first.

1. On the PC, go to Control panel > Devices and printers > Remove the existing printer entry > click on Add a printer(at the top) 
2. Under 'Choose a device or printer', click on 'The printer I want isn't listed'.
3. Select 'Add a printer using a TCP/IP address'
4. Find the IP address of the printer by tapping on the wireless/ethernet icon on the printer screen
5. Type in the 'IP address in Hostname or IP address' box, click next
6. Proceed to the next steps by following the on-screen instructions.
7. Try printing.

For more info, refer to - How to Print on Both Sides of the Paper (Windows) (Duplexing)

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Have a great day! 

[OfficejetJ6480]

Hello,  So sorry for long delay. (family emergency occurred)

Thank you so much Kumar.

I have followed guide to remove default printer and add via  "TCP/IP address".

Sorry that hasn't helped.  

(I hadn't mentioned but there also was a problem with printer not printing in color, in addition to duplex problem.

The color issue is fixed. But duplex still not working.)

Since I think the previous downloads (software, firmware, etc.) were originally there when doing your fix, I think I'll try delete all the downloaded software and start all over again with the "TCP/IP" guide.

By the way, the "TCP" process was so easy.  Not sure it was adding all the other downloads though (firmware, fax feature, etc.).

To follow.  Thank you.

Massachusetts 

[OfficejetJ6480]

Also, the Print Page- "Printing Shortcut"   that is automatic with my program does not allow duplex-two sided clicked.  Seems to revert back to  General format.      I do not like it.

How to switch to "Layout" style?  I've looked all over.

[OfficejetJ6480]

More--

1)  When removing and re-installing,  does it matter if it's done as "Administrator" or  is other "User" account okay?

2)  I did another Find Printer install again using TCP but this time  after removing all software from Control Panel-Programs.

 With that install, I don't see anything listed at the Control / Programs page for printer. (or any Printer icons on PC screen for that matter. All gone.)  Do I need to upload software from HP website-Software & Drivers?

3) Does one need to Restart the PC between all these steps?

thank you.

[OfficejetJ6480]

I also now see this at bottom of info page you provided, under FAQ. (see blue highlight below) This is getting really involved.  Awful about Win.10. It has affected other aspects of my computer function, too.

"If duplex printing no longer works after a Windows 10 upgrade, use the HP Smart app to print the document."  And it goes on and on. Yikes.

I'm holding until your reply   before downloading any software/drivers I had asked about in previous post, or the "Smart" download from below.

Thank you.

HP Printers - How to Print on Both Sides of the Paper (Windows) (Duplexing) | HP® Customer Support

---What if duplex printing stopped working after upgrading to Windows 10?

If duplex printing no longer works after a Windows 10 upgrade, use the HP Smart app to print the document.-----

1. Search the Windows Store for HP Smart to locate and install the app.
2. On the app home screen, click Print, and then click Print Document to find the document you want to print.

   NOTE: 

   HP Smart currently prints PDF files only. If you want to print a Word or WordPad document, save it as a PDF file, and then repeat the previous step.

3. Select your printer, click More settings, and then select an option from the Duplex printing menu.
4. Click OK, and then click Print.

[Kumar0307]

@OfficejetJ6480

I think this issue needs some additional technical assistance that can be better provided through one-on-one interaction or a remote session with our HP Support team.

Please reach out to the HP Technical Support team in your region for further assistance. 

Keep me posted for any other assistance.

[OfficejetJ6480]

Hello and Thank you Kumar,

I can report that the missing color when printing is now fixed.  It may be due to the re-install via TCP at the Devices & Printers page.    That's good.

Unfortunately, I'm holding out about duplex feature.

I made the TCP install but haven't downloaded any from the HP Software & Drivers page yet. I  will try that next and see if Duplex will work.   But it sounds like that won't help since you are advising to contact HP Technical Support.

I can report back here.

Thank you.

[Kumar0307]

@OfficejetJ6480

Glad to know that you are able to print in color now. To resolve the issue with duplex printing, you may have to contact the HP Support team who can take access to the computer and fix the issue via a remote session.

Keep me posted for any other assistance.