How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Reader Double-Sided Printing on macOS Catalina
Question details
The user is unable to print double-sided (duplex) PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Reader on a Mac running macOS Catalina.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Device & OS
- macOS Catalina 10.15.2
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document in duplex mode after updating the macOS system.
- Observed behavior
- The double-sided printing option is missing or fails to execute in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, even though the same printer successfully prints duplex documents from other Mac applications.
Ensure your printer hardware natively supports automatic two-sided printing and is securely connected to your Mac via Wi-Fi or USB.
Access macOS System Print Settings via Acrobat
Use the native macOS system print dialog nested within Acrobat Reader to manually force the two-sided printing layout.
Adobe Acrobat Reader utilizes a custom print dialog that can occasionally lose connection with advanced macOS printer features after a system update. Bypassing Acrobat's interface to use the native Apple print settings often restores missing features.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, open your PDF file, and press Command + P on your keyboard.
Look for the 'Printer...' button located near the bottom left of the Acrobat Print dialog box and click it.
A warning prompt may appear stating that this will open the system dialog. Click 'Yes' to proceed.
In the macOS print window, select 'Layout' or 'Printer Features' from the central dropdown menu, then check the box for 'Two-Sided' (or select Long-Edge binding).
Click the 'Print' button to send the duplex job to your printer.
Update and Re-Add the macOS Printer Driver
Remove generic AirPrint drivers and install the manufacturer's official macOS Catalina driver to restore duplex functionality.
Print Double-Sided PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office
If Adobe Acrobat Reader continues to cause printing conflicts on macOS Catalina, WPS Office offers a lightweight, built-in PDF reader that perfectly integrates with Mac system print dialogs. You can seamlessly view, edit, and print double-sided PDFs without navigating complex driver workarounds.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open your PDF document using the built-in PDF workspace.
- 2. Access the Print Menu: Click the Print icon on the top toolbar or press the Command + P shortcut.
- 3. Select Two-Sided Printing: Locate the 'Two-Sided' option within the intuitive print setup interface and check the box.
- 4. Print: Click Print to instantly output your document in duplex format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the two-sided print option disappear after updating to macOS Catalina?
Major macOS updates can sometimes reset your printer queue or automatically default to a generic Apple AirPrint driver. AirPrint often lacks the advanced, specific features of your printer's native software, causing duplex options to disappear until the manufacturer driver is reinstalled.
Can I manually print double-sided if my printer lacks automatic duplexing?
Yes. In the Acrobat print dialog, choose 'More Options' under 'Pages to Print', select 'Odd Pages Only', and print. Once finished, flip the stack of paper, place it back into the input tray, and print again using 'Even Pages Only'.
Why does double-sided printing work in Apple Preview but fail in Adobe Acrobat?
Apple Preview relies natively on the system's core print services, whereas Adobe Acrobat uses its own customized print dialog framework. If Acrobat's framework fails to communicate properly with the Mac driver after an OS update, it will fail to pass the duplex instruction to the printer.
How do I check if my Mac printer queue is using a generic AirPrint driver?
Navigate to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and click on your printer. Look at the 'Kind' description on the right side. If the description includes the word 'AirPrint', your Mac is using the generic driver instead of the manufacturer's dedicated software.
