Printing Problems

How to Make Double-Sided Printing the Default in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to configure Microsoft Word to automatically select double-sided (duplex) printing for all documents without having to enable it manually each time.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Printing multi-page documents frequently where saving paper is preferred.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word currently defaults to single-sided printing, forcing the user to manually change the settings in the Print dialog for every document.

Before you start

Verify that your physical printer hardware actually supports automatic two-sided (duplex) printing and is currently turned on and connected to your Windows 11 computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Default Duplex Printing via Windows Printer Preferences

Microsoft Word pulls its default print settings directly from Windows. To make double-sided printing the default, you must change the settings in the Windows printer driver properties.

By modifying the system-level printer preferences, every application on your Windows 11 computer, including Microsoft Word, will default to printing on both sides of the paper.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button, select 'Settings', and navigate to 'Bluetooth & devices' on the left sidebar, then click on 'Printers & scanners'.

Select your printer

Find your target printer in the list and click on it to open its specific management page.

Access Printing Preferences

Click on 'Printing preferences'. A new window will open showing your manufacturer's print settings.

Enable Two-Sided Printing

Look for an option labeled 'Duplex Printing', 'Print on both sides', or 'Two-sided'. Change this setting to 'Yes' or 'Flip on long edge', then click 'Apply' and 'OK'.

Restart Microsoft Word

Close Microsoft Word completely and reopen it. Word will now fetch the newly updated defaults from Windows, and future print jobs will be double-sided automatically.

Setting Applied System-Wide: These changes will also apply to Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF readers. If you want to print single-sided for a specific document, you will need to manually change it back in the Word Print dialog.

Solution 2

Install the Latest Manufacturer Printer Drivers

If you cannot find a two-sided printing option in your settings, Windows may be using a generic driver that limits your printer's advanced capabilities.

Print Double-Sided Documents Easily with WPS Office

WPS Office offers a streamlined, highly intuitive printing experience. It perfectly respects your Windows system defaults for double-sided printing and provides quick access to manual and automatic duplex settings right from the print dialog.

1. Open your document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the document you wish to print.
2. Access the Print Menu: Click the 'Menu' button at the top left corner and select 'Print', or simply press 'Ctrl + P' on your keyboard.
3. Configure Duplex Settings: In the Print dialog, your default Windows duplex settings will already be applied. If you need to adjust it, click 'Properties' to toggle two-sided printing, or check 'Manual duplex' if your printer doesn't support automatic flipping.
4. Print the Document: Click 'OK' to send the document to your printer efficiently.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsClean, intuitive Print Dialog with easy duplex configurationLightweight application that loads fast and processes print jobs quicklyFree to download and use for your everyday document needs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the double-sided printing option greyed out in Microsoft Word?

This typically occurs if the printer hardware does not support automatic two-sided printing, or if you are using a generic Windows driver. Installing the official driver from the manufacturer's website usually resolves this issue.

Can I set double-sided printing as the default for just one specific Word document?

No, default printing preferences are applied system-wide or application-wide. For a specific document, you must manually select the 'Print on both sides' option in the Print dialog each time you print it, without changing the default driver settings.

Do I have to restart my computer after changing the default printer settings?

You do not usually need to restart your entire computer, but you should completely close and reopen Microsoft Word so it can refresh and load the new default print settings from the Windows print spooler.

Document & File Issues