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How to Print Double-Sided on an HP Printer (Windows and Mac)

To print double sided with an HP printer, you choose a two-sided option in the print settings. HP’s guide covers Windows and Mac, and it explains what happens when the printer cannot flip the page itself and you must reload it by hand. This page follows that guide.

Last checked against HP’s published support information: November 14, 2026 · Checked by H&G
Print double-sided on an HP printer: open print settings, pick flip on long edge or short edge, reload if asked

Quick check

  • Windows: Printer Properties or Preferences, then the two-sided option (step 1).
  • Mac: Double-sided in the print dialog (step 2).
  • Printer asks you to reload pages: manual duplex, see the reload rules in step 1.
Caution from HP: do not print on both sides of envelopes, photo or glossy paper, or transparencies, or on paper lighter than 60 g/m² (16 lb) or heavier than 105 g/m² (28 lb). HP says this prevents paper jams and printer damage.

Step 1: Print on both sides in Windows

To print double sided in Windows, use the Print on Both Sides option in the printer properties.

  1. Open the document and click File > Print.
  2. Select your printer and click Printer Properties, Preferences or Printer Setup. Menu names vary by model.
  3. Click the Layout, Features or Finishing tab. In the Print on Both Sides drop-down, choose Flip on Long Edge for a book or Flip on Short Edge for a tablet.
  4. Or open the Printing Shortcut tab and choose the Two-sided (Duplex) Printing shortcut, then pick Flip on Long Edge or Short Edge in the manual drop-down.
  5. Click OK, then Print.

If the printer does not print the other side by itself

Remove any remaining paper from the input tray, take the printed pages from the output tray and reload them, then click Continue to finish the job. How you load them depends on the tray:

Input trayBook (long edge)Tablet (short edge)
Bottom-loadingPrint-side up, top edge toward the printerPrint-side up, bottom edge toward the printer
Top-loadingPrint-side down, top edge toward the printerPrint-side down, bottom edge toward the printer

To return to one-sided printing, open the print settings again and remove the two-sided selection.

Step 2: Print on both sides on a Mac

On a Mac, you print double sided from the same print dialog that you use for any other job.

  1. Open the document and click File > Print.
  2. Select your printer.
  3. Click Double-sided and choose On, or On (Short Edge).

HP’s guide for Mac does not cover a missing Double-sided option. For driver questions, see how to install an HP printer driver.

If nothing prints

A job that never starts is a different problem; use the won’t-print checklist or clear a stuck print queue.

Related problems

Sources

hpdrivers.net is independent and not affiliated with HP Inc. Steps follow HP’s guide; the wording is ours.


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