Printing Problems

Fix Word Printing First Envelope in Portrait Instead of Landscape

Natalie Taylor Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where Microsoft Word prints the very first envelope in a batch in portrait orientation, but prints all subsequent envelopes correctly in landscape.

Fix Word Printing First Envelope in Portrait Instead of Landscape

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Printing a batch of envelopes using the Word Mailings feature.
Observed behavior: The first envelope prints in portrait orientation, causing a misprint, while the rest of the batch prints correctly in landscape mode.

Before you start

Save your document and cancel any pending print jobs in your printer queue to prevent wasting physical envelopes while testing new settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Envelope Printing Options in Word

Check Word's built-in envelope options to ensure the correct feed method and orientation are selected.

Sometimes, Word's internal envelope settings clash with how the printer interprets the first page. Ensuring the feed method matches your physical printer tray can resolve orientation mix-ups.

Access Envelope Options

Open your document, navigate to the Mailings tab on the top ribbon, and click on Envelopes.

Check Printing Options

Click the Options button and navigate to the Printing Options tab.

Verify Feed Method

Verify that the selected feed method and orientation match your printer's physical setup. Review the Print Preview to ensure landscape is applied before printing.

Verify Envelope Printing Options in Word

Print Preview Accuracy: Always trust the Print Preview window over the standard document layout view when verifying envelope orientations before sending the job to the printer.

Solution 2

Adjust Default Printer Preferences and Update Drivers

Conflicting printer defaults or outdated drivers can override Word's layout settings for the first page.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Print Envelopes Flawlessly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with inconsistent printer drivers, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative that makes document formatting and envelope printing seamless. With a familiar user interface, you can migrate without any learning curve.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free and install it on your computer.
2. Open Your Document: Open your existing .docx document directly in WPS Writer without losing any formatting or layout settings.
3. Print Your Envelopes: Navigate to the Mailings tab, select Envelopes, input your addresses, and print with perfectly maintained landscape orientation.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteHighly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive and stable envelope and label printing featuresFamiliar user interface for a zero-learning-curve migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does only the first envelope print in the wrong orientation?

This typically occurs due to a software conflict between Word's section-specific page setup and the default preferences of your printer driver, where the driver forces its default setting onto the very first page of the print job.

Can I fix this by saving the Word document as a PDF before printing?

Yes. Exporting your document to a PDF locks the layout in place. Printing the PDF via a dedicated PDF reader bypasses the Word-to-printer driver communication issue, maintaining consistent landscape orientation across the entire batch.

How do I clear my print queue after a misprinted portrait envelope?

Go to your operating system's Printers & Scanners menu, click on your printer, select 'Open print queue', and choose 'Cancel all documents' to clear any stuck or pending print jobs.

Document & File Issues