Diagnosis
The Canon PIXMA TR8620a features a built-in automatic duplexing unit, meaning it contains a specialized internal reversal mechanism that flips the paper automatically before printing the second side. Unlike manual duplexing, where the user must physically flip the paper and re-insert it into the tray, the TR8620a handles this via a motorized roller system located at the rear of the chassis. If you are unable to find the option or it appears "greyed out," the issue is typically not a hardware failure but a software communication gap. This happens when the printer driver is set to a "Generic" or "Class" driver (common in Windows 10/11 automatic installations) rather than the full Canon-specific driver. The generic driver often fails to recognize the duplex unit's capabilities, leading the computer to believe the printer is a single-sided device. To confirm the hardware is working, you can run a "Print Quality" check from the printer's onboard maintenance menu; if the paper feeds and ejects normally, the duplexing hardware is functional and the issue resides in the print spooler settings.
How to Fix It
To activate automatic double-sided printing, you must configure the settings within the print driver on your workstation. Follow these exact steps for a Windows environment:
- Open the document you wish to print (e.g., in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat).
- Navigate to File > Print.
- Select the Canon TR8600 series from the printer dropdown menu. If you see "Canon TR8600 Class Driver," you may need to reinstall the full driver package to unlock duplexing.
- Click on Printer Properties or Preferences. This will open the Canon-specific driver window.
- Locate the Page Setup tab.
- Check the box labeled 2-Sided Printing.
- Choose your binding preference: Select Long-edge binding for standard books/reports (flips like a page) or Short-edge binding for calendars or tablets (flips upward).
- Click OK and then click Print.
If That Didn't Work
- Check Paper Type Settings: Automatic duplexing is disabled for specific media types. If your settings are set to "Photo Paper," "Glossy," or "Envelope," the 2-Sided Printing option will be greyed out. Change the media type to Plain Paper in the Main tab of the printer properties to re-enable the feature.
- Update the Driver: If the "2-Sided Printing" checkbox is missing entirely, the Windows Class Driver is the culprit. Uninstall the printer from the Control Panel, restart your PC, and install the full driver suite from Canon's official support site specifically for the TR8620a.
- Clear Paper Jam Sensors: If the printer attempts to duplex but throws a "Paper Jam" error (Error Code 1313 or 1317) despite no visible jam, a small scrap of paper may be blocking the duplexing sensor. Open the rear cover and use a flashlight to check the rollers for debris.
- MacOS AirPrint Conflict: On Mac, if you used AirPrint to add the printer, duplexing options can be limited. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, delete the printer, and re-add it, ensuring you select the Canon driver rather than the generic AirPrint option.
Heads Up
- Paper Weight Warning: Only use standard 20lb to 24lb plain paper for automatic duplexing. Using heavy cardstock or high-GSM photo paper can cause the internal reversal mechanism to jam or crease the paper.
- Ink Saturation: Printing on both sides of thin paper can lead to "bleed-through." If you notice the text from the back showing through the front, change your print quality setting from "High" to "Standard" or "Draft" to reduce ink saturation.
- Dry Time: When printing double-sided, the second side is printed immediately after the first. If you are using a high-density ink setting, allow the pages to air-dry for a few minutes before stacking them to avoid smudging.
- Tray Capacity: Avoid overfilling the main paper cassette when duplexing. The reversal process requires slightly more "headroom" for the paper to curve; an overfilled tray can lead to multi-sheet feeds (picking up two pages at once).