How to Fix PDF Not Printing Double-Sided on Canon Printer
Question details
The user is unable to print a specific PDF document double-sided (duplex) on their Canon printer, even though the printer is capable and other documents print correctly.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Canon Printer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to print a PDF document using the duplex feature on a Canon printer.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF prints single-sided despite the printer having double-sided capabilities, likely due to document-level print dialog preset overrides.
Ensure that your Canon printer hardware supports automatic double-sided printing and that the correct manufacturer printer drivers are actively installed on your computer.
Adjust PDF Print Dialog Presets in Adobe Acrobat
Modify the document's advanced properties to ensure it does not override your printer's duplex settings.
PDF files can contain built-in print presets that dictate how the document should behave when sent to a printer. If a document is hardcoded to print single-sided, it will bypass your Canon printer's default duplex preferences. Disabling this preset will restore standard printing behavior.
Open the problematic PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Click on 'File' in the top menu and select 'Properties', or simply press 'Ctrl+D' on your keyboard.
In the Document Properties window, click on the 'Advanced' tab located at the top.
Look for the 'Print Dialog Presets' section. Check the 'DuplexMode' setting and change it from 'Simplex' to 'Duplex Flip Long Edge' or 'Default' to allow two-sided printing.
Click 'OK' to save the changes, then press 'Ctrl+P' to open the print dialog and verify that your Canon printer's duplex setting is now active.
Create a Flattened PDF Copy
Recreate the PDF to strip away restrictive print settings that prevent double-sided printing.
Print PDFs Double-Sided Easily with WPS Office
Avoid complicated Adobe document presets. WPS Office provides a straightforward PDF reader and editor that seamlessly integrates with your Canon printer's system duplex settings, making two-sided printing hassle-free.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document.
- 2. Access Print Settings: Click on the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Print', or use the 'Ctrl+P' shortcut.
- 3. Enable Duplex Printing: In the Print dialog box, locate the 'Print on both sides' (or 'Duplex') checkbox and ensure it is selected.
- 4. Execute Print Job: Select your Canon printer from the list and click the 'Print' button to output your double-sided document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Canon printer ignore the double-sided print setting for specific PDFs?
Some PDF files contain document-level 'Print Dialog Presets' embedded in their properties. These presets can override your system's default printer settings, forcing the printer to output single-sided pages regardless of what you select in the basic print menu.
How do I remove restrictive print settings from a PDF?
You can modify the Print Dialog Presets under Document Properties > Advanced in a premium PDF editor. Alternatively, you can use the 'Microsoft Print to PDF' feature to create a new, flattened copy of the document that is free from the original preset restrictions.
Can I set double-sided printing as the default on my Canon printer?
Yes, navigate to 'Devices and Printers' in your Windows Control Panel, right-click your Canon printer, select 'Printing Preferences', and enable the two-sided (duplex) printing option. This will apply as the default for all compatible applications.
