Encountering issues with double-sided printing on your Mac can be frustrating. Many users expect their printers to automatically handle duplex printing, but sometimes settings or driver issues can prevent this feature from working correctly. If you’re struggling to print double-sided documents, especially after a macOS update or printer change, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through a simple yet effective solution that resolves common double-sided printing problems on macOS.
The key to restoring your double-sided printing capability often lies in ensuring you have the correct and updated printer drivers installed. Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to miscommunication between your Mac and your printer, resulting in features like duplex printing to malfunction.
To address this, start by updating your printer drivers. The process generally involves visiting the printer manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest driver software for your specific printer model and macOS version.
Once you’ve downloaded the updated drivers, the next crucial step is to properly install them. This often requires removing your existing printer from your Mac’s system settings and then adding it back with the newly installed drivers. This ensures that your Mac is using the most current software to communicate with your printer.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to refresh your printer connection and potentially resolve your double-sided printing issues:
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Update Your Printer Drivers: Navigate to your printer manufacturer’s support website. Search for your printer model (e.g., Brother HL-3170CDW or similar). Locate the “Drivers” or “Downloads” section and download the latest driver compatible with your macOS version.
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Remove Your Existing Printer: Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen, then go to “System Preferences” and select “Printers & Scanners.”
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Delete the Old Printer: In the Printers & Scanners window, select your printer from the left-hand sidebar and click the “—” (minus) button at the bottom to remove it.
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Add the Printer Back with New Drivers: Click the “+” (plus) button at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar to add a new printer. Select your printer from the list.
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Choose the Correct Driver: In the “Use” dropdown menu, ensure you select the correct driver for your printer model. Often, this will be indicated with “CUPS” in the name, signifying compatibility with macOS printing system.
Alt text: Screenshot showing the “Use” dropdown menu in the “Add Printer” dialog on macOS, highlighting the selection of a CUPS driver for a Brother printer.
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Set as Default and Remove Duplicates: After adding the printer, make sure it is set as the default printer. Remove any other instances of the same printer to avoid confusion.
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Test Your Double-Sided Printing: Open a document and go to print. In the print dialog box, look for the double-sided printing options (often labeled “Two-Sided” or “Duplex”). Ensure it is selected and attempt to print.
Alt text: Close-up view of the print dialog box on macOS, with the “Two-Sided” printing option clearly visible and selected.
By following these steps, you should be able to restore the double-sided printing functionality on your Mac. This process ensures that your system and printer are communicating effectively with the latest software, resolving many common printing issues. If problems persist, consult your printer’s manual or manufacturer’s support for further assistance.
