How to make 2-sided printing permanent

Update the HP driver’s automatic configuration first, then set two-sided printing in Printing preferences; changing only Duplex Unit → Installed can be overwritten when the driver next queries the printer.

Make duplex detection persistent

These controls are separate:

• Device Settings → Duplex Unit → Installed tells the driver that duplex hardware exists.
• Printing preferences → Print on both sides sets duplex as the normal print-job default.

For an HP model that supports automatic duplex printing:

1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the HP printer and select Printer properties—not the similarly named Properties or Printing preferences.
3. Open Device Settings.
4. Under Installable Options:
   • Set Automatic Configuration to Update Now, if offered.
   • After the update, verify Duplex Unit (for 2-Sided Printing) shows Installed.
5. Select Apply, then OK.

HP specifically recommends Automatic Configuration → Update Now for affected LaserJet/PageWide drivers. If automatic detection fails, the duplex unit can remain or revert to Not Installed.^1^

Windows printer autoconfiguration uses bidirectional communication to query installable features such as the duplex unit. The driver then updates its stored configuration and UI from the returned value; that process can overwrite a manual selection.^2^

Set two-sided printing as the default

After the duplex unit remains detected:

1. Return to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the printer and select Printing preferences.
3. Set Print on both sides, Duplex, or Two-sided printing to:
   • Long-edge for normal book-style pages, or
   • Short-edge for pages flipped like a calendar.
4. Select Apply, then OK.

Settings made in Printing preferences become the printer’s default for applications using that queue.^3^ An application may still retain its own last-used print choice; for example, Word can preserve a one-sided selection for the current user session rather than reload the driver default each time.^4^

The Let Windows manage my default printer option only controls which printer Windows selects—typically the last printer used. It does not control whether a duplex unit is installed or whether jobs default to two-sided printing.^5^

If it changes back again

The printer/driver is still reporting the duplex capability incorrectly. Reinstall the queue with the correct HP software:

1. Confirm the exact HP model supports automatic duplex; some models support only manual two-sided printing.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
3. Select the HP printer and choose Remove.
4. Restart Windows.
5. Re-add it using HP Smart or the current HP driver for that exact model.
6. Repeat Automatic Configuration → Update Now, then set the duplex default under Printing preferences.

HP recommends removing and re-adding the printer when refreshing its Windows 11 duplex configuration does not work.^6^ Microsoft also documents that reinstalling refreshes the driver files and settings; use a driver matching Windows 11 and the PC’s system type.^7^

If this is a shared printer supplied by a print server, have its administrator check the server-side HP driver and bidirectional support. With Point and Print, both the server’s port monitor and the client driver must support bidirectional communication for autoconfiguration to work correctly.^8^

References

1. HP LaserJet, HP PageWide - Unable to auto-duplex and 2-sided printing ...
2. Autoconfiguration During Device Installation
3. How to change my default setting to single sided only - Microsoft Q&A
4. Printer properties defaults - Microsoft Q&A
5. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/set-a-default-printer-in-windows#summary)
6. HP Printers - Automatic duplex printing not working (Windows 11)
7. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/printer/fix-printer-driver-compatibility-issues-in-windows)
8. Autoconfiguration Details