How to Turn Off Double Sided Printing

On this page (7 sections)

1. How do you turn off double sided printing for one job?
2. Where is the duplex setting on a computer?
3. How do you make single sided printing the default?
4. What if the printer still prints on both sides?
5. Does single sided printing use more paper?
6. Can you print on both sides of photo paper?
7. How do you confirm double sided printing is off?

To take off printing both sides of paper, open the print settings and choose One-sided, Single-sided, or Off for duplex printing. If it still prints on both sides, check the printer's saved default as well as the setting in the app.

The exact label varies by computer, printer driver, and app. Look for terms such as Two-sided, Duplex, Print on both sides, or Binding.

How do you turn off double sided printing for one job?

Choose One-sided or Off in the print dialog before you print. This is the quickest way to switch a single document back to printing on one side of each sheet.

1. Open the document and select Print.
2. Choose the printer you want to use.
3. Open Printer Properties, Preferences, or the expanded print settings if needed.
4. Find Two-sided, Duplex, or Print on both sides.
5. Select One-sided, Single-sided, or Off, then print.

Some apps show the duplex option on the first print screen. Others put it under a menu such as Layout, Finishing, or Paper handling.

Check the final preview if the app provides one. It can show whether pages will appear on both sides before you send the job.

Where is the duplex setting on a computer?

The duplex control may appear in the app's print window or the computer's printer preferences. If you only change it in the app, it may affect just that print job.

On a Windows computer, open the printer's Printing preferences or Printer properties and look for a two-sided or duplex option. Menu names differ by printer and driver, so follow the labels shown for your device.

On a Mac, open File > Print and expand the print options if needed. Look through sections such as Layout for a two-sided checkbox or menu.

If your app doesn't show the option, check the printer's own settings or install the correct driver from its maker. The printer's manual can confirm where that model keeps its duplex controls.

How do you make single sided printing the default?

Change the default duplex setting in your computer's printer preferences. This can prevent double sided printing from returning whenever you start a new print job.

Open the system settings for your printer, then set two-sided printing to Off or One-sided. Save the change if your driver has an Apply or OK button.

Some programs store their own print presets. If a document still prints on both sides, check for a preset that selects duplex and switch it to single-sided.

After changing the default, print a short document and confirm the result. For the reverse setting and paper-loading steps, see How to Print on Both Sides of Paper?.

Why does the setting switch back on?

A saved preset or an app-specific choice may override the general printer default. Reopen the print dialog for the affected app and check the duplex setting there.

If the control is missing or cannot be changed, the driver may not provide the option you expect. Check the printer manual or the manufacturer's support instructions for the right settings and driver.

What if the printer still prints on both sides?

Check the selected printer, the current job's settings, and any saved preset. A computer can have multiple printers or printer queues with separate preferences.

Confirm that the print dialog shows the intended printer. Then check the final job settings for Two-sided, Duplex, or a preset with a similar name.

If the printer has a control panel, look for a default duplex option there too. Change it only if you want the printer's own default to be single-sided.

A duplex-capable printer can still print single-sided when you turn the feature off. A printer without automatic duplex may need you to reload pages for manual two-sided jobs; see Can You Print on Both Sides with a Single Sided Printer? and How to Print on Both Sides Manually?.

Does single sided printing use more paper?

Yes, a document that would use both sides of a sheet may need more sheets when printed one-sided. The number depends on the page count and whether you print multiple pages per sheet.

If you need double-sided output for a different job, check whether your printer supports automatic duplex or requires manual page turning. These guides explain automatic two-sided printing and printers for double sided printing.

For ordinary documents, choose paper that suits your printer and paper size. Boise X-9 is legal-size 20 lb paper in a 5,000-sheet case.

Hammermill Printer Paper is also legal-size 20 lb paper, in a 500-sheet ream.

For a printed keepsake rather than a document, Lucy Tapper's 32-page hardcover book is an example of a bound item designed to be read page by page.

Can you print on both sides of photo paper?

Check the paper and printer instructions before selecting duplex for photo paper. Photo paper can have a designated print side, and its handling may differ from plain office paper.

Our guide to printing on both sides of photo paper covers the questions to check before sending that kind of job.

How do you confirm double sided printing is off?

Print a short test document and check that each page uses only one side. This confirms the setting for the printer and app you plan to use.

If the test still comes out double-sided, reopen the print window and verify the selected printer and its duplex option. Then check the system default and any app preset.

To take off printing both sides of paper, set duplex to Off for the current job, then adjust the saved default if you want single-sided printing each time. Keep the job setting in mind when you later need automatic two-sided printing.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop my printer from printing on both sides?

Open the print dialog, find the two-sided or duplex setting, and select One-sided, Single-sided, or Off. If the setting keeps returning, change the default in your computer's printer preferences too; some apps can keep their own print choice.

Why does my printer keep printing double sided?

A saved printer default, an app-specific setting, or a remembered print preset may be turning duplex back on. Check the print dialog each time, then update the default in your system printer settings and remove or edit any preset that selects two-sided printing.

Can I turn off double sided printing for one document only?

Yes. Choose One-sided or Off in the print dialog before printing that document.

This usually changes only the current job, though some apps remember the last choice, so check the setting again before printing a different file.

Does turning off duplex printing change how I load paper?

No. Turning off duplex tells the printer to use one side of each sheet for the job.

Load the paper as usual for your printer, and check its manual if you are unsure which side faces up or which tray to use.