Printing Problems

How to Fix Word Printing Two Pages per Sheet Instead of One

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop Microsoft Word from printing and previewing two pages on a single sheet of paper.

How to Fix Word Printing Two Pages per Sheet Instead of One

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to print a document normally after a Microsoft 365 update.
Observed behavior: Word forces the print preview and the physical printout to display two pages per sheet, even though the print dialog shows that the two-pages-per-sheet option is not selected.

Before you start

Before changing any system settings, perform a quick test print using a different application like a PDF reader or Notepad to determine if the issue is isolated to Microsoft Word or if it is a system-wide printer configuration issue.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Multiple Pages to Normal in Word Page Setup

The most common cause is a hidden setting within Word's Page Setup menu that overrides the standard Print dialog options.

Microsoft Word has multiple areas where layout settings can be configured. Even if the main Print dialog is set correctly, the document's internal Page Setup might be instructing the application to print multiple pages per sheet. Resetting this to 'Normal' usually resolves the glitch.

Open Page Setup

Navigate to the 'Layout' (or 'Page Layout') tab on the Word ribbon. Click the small diagonal arrow in the bottom-right corner of the Page Setup group to open the Page Setup dialog box.

Access the Margins Tab

In the Page Setup dialog box, ensure you are on the 'Margins' tab.

Change Multiple Pages Setting

Look for the 'Pages' section. Click the dropdown menu next to 'Multiple pages' and select 'Normal'.

Apply and Verify

Click 'OK' to save the changes. Press Ctrl + P to open the Print dialog and check if the Print Preview now correctly shows one page per sheet.

Set Multiple Pages to Normal in Word Page Setup

Document Specific Settings: Page Setup settings are often saved at the document level. If this issue happens on all new documents, you may need to open your Normal.dotm template and apply this fix there.

Solution 2

Configure and Update Printer Driver Settings

Sometimes the built-in Windows printer driver forces a layout that conflicts with Word's native settings, requiring a manual adjustment or driver update.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless and Error-Free Printing

If Microsoft 365 print glitches continue to disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that offers a highly familiar interface, flawless compatibility with Word documents, and straightforward print controls that won't randomly override your settings.

1. Open your Document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office Writer and open your existing .docx file. The layout and formatting will remain perfectly intact.
2. Access the Print Menu: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Print', or simply use the shortcut Ctrl + P.
3. Print with Confidence: Review the accurate Print Preview, ensure your settings are correct, and click 'Print'. WPS Office communicates smoothly with your system's printer drivers.

100% compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) files and formattingIntuitive and straightforward print preview and setup controlsLightweight application that doesn't rely on disruptive heavy updatesFree to download and use for your daily document tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my print preview show two pages side by side?

This usually happens if the 'Multiple pages' option is set to 'Book fold' or '2 pages per sheet' in the Page Setup menu, or if the zoom level in your Print Preview is zoomed far out.

Will reinstalling my printer fix the Word formatting issue?

Yes, if the issue is caused by a generic Windows driver overriding Word's layout commands, downloading and installing the full-featured driver from the printer manufacturer's website can resolve the conflict.

How do I access Page Setup in Word?

You can access Page Setup by navigating to the 'Layout' tab on the ribbon and clicking the small dialog box launcher arrow located in the bottom-right corner of the Page Setup group.

Why did this printing issue happen after a Microsoft 365 update?

Updates can sometimes reset default application preferences or cause temporary incompatibilities between Word's print spooler and your device's existing printer drivers.

Document & File Issues