[SOLVED] One windows 10 machine won't duplex print

[Mr_Random_Guy]

So we have one HP envy 5540 printer in our house and every computer (all windows 10) works flawlessly with it apart from one. I should point out that there are two of this same laptop and only one of them doesn't work, so this is definitely a single computer issue not a specific laptop/printer doesn't work issue. They all have the 5540 basic drivers installed and can print in colour and use the automatic duplexing unit to print double sided automatically.
Up until recently, the one laptop also worked fine but now has a problem. The laptop will not print double sided automatically, it will only do it manually (when you put the stack of papers back into the tray). If I go into printer properties and click update now on printer configuration, the automatic duplexing unit changes from not installed to installed. However, as soon as you either go into printer preferences, or try to print something, it immediately reverts back to not installed (and won't print double sided automatically).
I have tried:
Removing and reinstalling the drivers.
Removing and using basic windows drivers (this lets duplexing work, but will only flip on the short edge even if you select flip on long edge which means the second page is always upside down).
Removing the printer from the printers&scanners list and readding it.
Rebooting the printer and laptop more times than I care to admit.

It just so happens that the user of this one laptop is the one who prints very often so this is very inconvenient.
If you need any more information let me know, but I'm convinced this is a software issue and reinstalling windows 10 is really not an option.
Thanks in advance

 

[britechguy]

I would remove the device, uninstall all drivers related to it, then go to the HP website and get the "full software suite" (or whatever term they use for the drivers plus the additional bits of printer control software plus other stuff you may or may not choose to install) and install that after having restarted the machine.

It is essential to remove the device itself and all the drivers related to it before reinstalling the full software suite from scratch.

If that doesn't work then I've (unfortunately) got nothing for you.

 

[Mr_Random_Guy]

I would remove the device, uninstall all drivers related to it, then go to the HP website and get the "full software suite" (or whatever term they use for the drivers plus the additional bits of printer control software plus other stuff you may or may not choose to install) and install that after having restarted the machine.

It is essential to remove the device itself and all the drivers related to it before reinstalling the full software suite from scratch.

If that doesn't work then I've (unfortunately) got nothing for you.

Insert comment about bloatware
Tried this to no avail. Exact same issue persists

 

[britechguy]

Then I can only recommend trying my standard advice, in virtually all cases, (and presuming any potential infection has already been addressed, first) is doing the following, in the order specified. If the issue is fixed by option one then there's no need to go further. Stop whenever your issue is fixed:

1. Using SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) to Repair Windows 8 & 10

2. Doing a Windows 10 Repair Install or Feature Update Using the Windows 10 ISO file

to see if that can at least rectify some underlying issue and possibly allow you to reinstall the printer software afterward.

I'd tell you to do a completely clean reinstall but you have already stated that's not an option, and even if it were I'd still try a repair install before doing that step.