Printing Problems

How to Fix Word 2019 Duplex Printing Using the Wrong Page Edge

Steve K Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to correct a printing error where double-sided documents flip on the short edge instead of the long edge.

Fix Word 2019 Duplex Printing Using the Wrong Page Edge

Product: Word 2019 / Brother Printer
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Printing double-sided (duplex) documents in Microsoft Word 2019.
Observed behavior: Word 2019 prints duplex pages using short-edge flipping, ignoring the user's selected long-edge binding setting.

Before you start

Ensure your printer is powered on, properly connected to your computer, and hardware-capable of automatic double-sided printing before modifying driver settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Install or Roll Back the Printer Driver

Since duplex behavior is primarily controlled by the printer driver rather than Word, installing the correct official manufacturer driver often resolves edge-flipping bugs.

Windows may automatically install a generic printer driver that lacks specific instructions for advanced binding features. To fix this, you must install the official driver provided by the manufacturer. In some cases for Brother printers, installing an older stable driver (like a 2015 version) resolves the issue.

Download the official driver

Visit the printer manufacturer's official support website (e.g., Brother Support) and download the specific driver for your model (such as HL-L3180CDW) and your Windows version.

Open Device Manager

Right-click the Windows Start menu button, select 'Device Manager', and expand the 'Print queues' section to locate your printer.

Uninstall the current driver

Right-click your printer, select 'Uninstall device', and check the box to attempt to remove the driver software if prompted.

Install the downloaded driver

Run the downloaded driver installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to properly install the manufacturer driver.

Driver Compatibility: If the newest driver continues to cause short-edge flipping, searching the manufacturer's archive for an earlier compatible driver version has been proven to resolve this specific behavior.

Solution 2

Force Duplex Settings in Windows Printers & Scanners

Manually enforcing the long-edge binding preference in the Windows system settings can override conflicting commands sent by Word 2019.

Efficient Document Management

Print Double-Sided Documents Easily with WPS Writer

If you continue experiencing print spooling and driver conflicts in Microsoft Word, WPS Writer provides a straightforward, highly compatible print interface that clearly communicates your duplex preferences to system drivers.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to print double-sided.
2. Access the Print dialog: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or simply press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
3. Configure Duplex printing: In the Print window, locate the 'Duplex' setting and choose 'Flip on Long Edge' for standard book-style printing.
4. Print the document: Click the 'Print' button to send the document to your printer with the correct binding settings applied.

Intuitive print dialog with explicit long-edge and short-edge duplex optionsFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Free and lightweight Office suite alternativeSeamless integration with Windows default printer drivers

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between long-edge and short-edge binding?

Long-edge binding flips the page along the longer side, which is standard for reading like a book or magazine. Short-edge binding flips the page along the shorter side, typically used for notepads, calendars, or clipboards.

Why does Word 2019 ignore my selected duplex settings?

Word relies on your system's printer driver to execute print commands. If the driver is generic, outdated, or contains a bug, it may misinterpret Word's specific page-edge instructions, defaulting to its own hardware settings.

How do I know which printer driver to install?

You should always visit the official website of your printer manufacturer (e.g., Brother, HP, Canon). Search for your exact printer model number and select the driver that matches your current Windows operating system version.

Can I fix this issue without changing drivers?

Sometimes. You can try saving your Word document as a PDF and printing it from a PDF reader, or you can manually set the binding preference directly within the Windows 'Printers & scanners' settings menu to bypass Word's internal print configuration.

Document & File Issues