Fix Acrobat Not Retaining Duplex Printing Settings on Mac
Question details
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC fails to save the double-sided (duplex) printing preferences on macOS, forcing users to manually re-select the option every time a new PDF is opened.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to consistently print PDF documents double-sided using standard system configurations.
- Observed behavior
- The Print on Both Sides option clears itself whenever a new PDF document is opened, ignoring the CUPS configuration and previous printing selections.
Verify that your printer physically supports automatic duplex printing and that the correct manufacturer driver is actively selected in your Mac's Printers & Scanners settings.
Update Acrobat and macOS Printer Drivers
Software bugs affecting setting retention are frequently resolved by installing the latest patches for both your PDF reader and printer drivers.
By default, Acrobat is designed to preserve your print settings for the next time you open a PDF and use the Print command. If it keeps resetting, outdated software or incompatible macOS printer drivers (such as older HP Officejet drivers on Catalina) are usually the culprit.
Open Adobe Acrobat DC, navigate to the top menu bar, select 'Help', and click on 'Check for Updates'. Follow the prompts to install available patches, then restart the application.
Click the Apple logo, go to 'System Preferences' (or System Settings), and select 'Printers & Scanners'. Remove your current printer, download the latest macOS driver from the manufacturer's website, and re-add the printer.
Open a PDF in Acrobat, go to 'File' > 'Print', check the 'Print on Both Sides' option, and print the document. Close the PDF and open a new one to verify if the setting has been retained.
Check for Document-Specific Print Restrictions
Determine if the issue is global or if specific PDF files contain embedded settings overriding your print defaults.
Use WPS Office to Print PDFs Double-Sided Easily
If your current PDF reader continues to forget your print preferences, WPS Office provides a highly compatible PDF tool that seamlessly communicates with macOS system print settings, ensuring your duplex printing works flawlessly.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Go to 'File' in the top menu bar and select 'Print', or simply press Cmd+P.
- 4. Select Two-Sided Printing: Enable the 'Two-Sided' or 'Duplex' option in the print dialog box and click 'Print'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Mac default to single-sided printing for PDFs?
Your Mac might be using a generic AirPrint driver that doesn't fully recognize your printer's duplex unit, or the PDF software itself is overriding the macOS system defaults. Updating the driver from the manufacturer's website usually resolves this.
How do I force default duplex printing in CUPS on Mac?
You can force default settings by opening the CUPS web interface (usually accessible via localhost:631 in your browser), going to the 'Printers' tab, selecting your printer, choosing 'Set Default Options', and enabling Two-Sided printing under the General or Finishing tab.
Can embedded PDF scripts change my print settings?
Yes, PDF files can contain document-level JavaScript or preset print options established by the document's creator. These embedded settings can force actions like single-sided printing or specific page scaling, overriding your personal application defaults.
