Fix Acrobat Pro DC Cannot Print Double-Sided on Windows 10
Question details
The user is unable to print double-sided PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, even though duplex printing functions correctly in other applications.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF on both sides of the paper using a dedicated printer like the Brother DL-L522DW.
- Observed behavior
- The two-sided or duplex printing option is unavailable, grayed out, or fails to execute properly during the print process in Acrobat Pro DC.
Verify that your printer hardware supports automatic double-sided printing and that it is turned on, connected to your Windows 10 computer, and loaded with sufficient paper.
Enable Two-Sided Printing in Acrobat Printer Properties
Manually enforcing the duplex setting through the specific printer properties dialog within Acrobat can often override application-level conflicts.
Sometimes Adobe Acrobat Pro DC fails to communicate its native print settings to the printer driver. By bypassing the default Acrobat print screen and accessing the system-level printer properties, you can force the printer to print on both sides.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, open your PDF document, and click on 'File' > 'Print' (or press Ctrl + P).
Ensure your specific printer model (e.g., Brother DL-L522DW) is selected in the Printer dropdown menu, rather than a generic or virtual printer.
Click the 'Properties' button located right next to the Printer name dropdown.
Navigate to the 'Layout' or 'Finishing' tab within the properties window, locate the 'Two-Sided' or 'Duplex' printing option, and set it to 'Long Edge' or 'Short Edge' depending on your binding preference.
Click 'OK' to save the properties, then click 'Print' in the main Acrobat dialog to execute the job.
Update the Printer Driver and Windows Preferences
Ensure you are using the official manufacturer driver rather than a generic Windows driver, which may lack advanced duplex features.
Print the PDF as an Image
Bypasses complex PDF font and rendering issues that might interfere with printer instructions.
Print Double-Sided PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat continues to struggle with your printer settings, try using WPS Office. Its robust, built-in PDF reader offers excellent compatibility with modern printer drivers, ensuring features like automatic duplex printing work smoothly on Windows 10.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS Office: Right-click your PDF file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office.
- 2. Access the Print Menu: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner and select 'Print', or simply press Ctrl + P.
- 3. Select Duplex Options: In the print dialog, locate the 'Print on both sides' checkbox and tick it. Choose either 'Flip on long edge' or 'Flip on short edge'.
- 4. Print the File: Click the 'Print' button to send your document to the printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Print on both sides' option grayed out in Acrobat?
This usually happens if Acrobat is communicating with a generic Windows driver instead of the official printer driver, or if the printer's two-sided accessory has not been manually enabled in the Windows printer properties.
How do I know if my printer actually supports automatic double-sided printing?
Check your printer's model number; models ending in 'D' or 'DW' (like DL-L522DW) generally feature automatic duplexing. You can also verify this by checking the manufacturer's spec sheet or user manual.
Can I manually print double-sided if the automatic setting fails?
Yes. In the Acrobat print dialog, under 'Pages to Print', click 'More Options'. Under the 'Odd or Even Pages' dropdown, select 'Odd pages only', print them, flip the stack of paper over, reinsert it into the tray, and then print 'Even pages only'.
Does resetting Acrobat preferences fix printing errors?
It can. Corrupted preferences may cause print dialog glitches. You can reset preferences by closing Acrobat, navigating to the AppData folder for Adobe, and renaming or deleting the Acrobat preferences folder. When you restart the app, it will generate fresh settings.
