How to Fix Printer is Printing Only Landscape, Not Portrait? [Easy Ways]

When a printer continuously prints in landscape mode, the issue typically lies in one of three areas. The first is application-level settings, where software like Word or PDF viewers override orientation preferences. The second is printer driver configuration, which may be set to landscape as the default. The third is system-level conflicts, including corrupted drivers or outdated software.

Sometimes, even if you select portrait mode, the printer ignores it due to a driver bug, a misconfigured print queue, or incorrect paper settings. Understanding this layered structure helps in fixing the issue effectively rather than randomly trying solutions.

Let’s fix the ‘Printer is Printing Only Landscape, Not Portrait‘ problem and restore normal portrait printing functionality without confusion.

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How to Fix Printer is Printing Only Landscape, Not Portrait?

To fix a printer that prints only in landscape mode, open your document’s print settings and ensure orientation is set to Portrait. Then check printer preferences, update or reinstall printer drivers, and reset the printer settings if needed. Also, verify that no application-specific settings are overriding the default orientation.

The following steps are arranged in a logical order. Follow them carefully to resolve the issue completely.

Step 1: Check Orientation Settings in the Application

The first place to start is the application you are printing from, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or a PDF viewer.

Open your document and go to the print preview section. Look for the Orientation setting and ensure it is set to Portrait instead of Landscape. Sometimes, applications remember the last used settings, which can cause repeated issues.

Also, check Page Setup within the application. In many cases, the page layout itself is configured in landscape mode, which forces the printer to follow that format regardless of your selection during printing.

After making changes, save the document and try printing again to confirm whether the issue is resolved.

Step 2: Modify Printer Preferences from Control Panel

If the issue persists, the next step is to adjust the printer’s default settings.

Open the Control Panel on your system and navigate to Devices and Printers. Locate your printer, right-click on it, and select Printing Preferences.

In the preferences window, find the Orientation option and set it to Portrait. Apply the changes and click OK.

This step ensures that your printer’s default configuration does not override application settings. Many users overlook this, which is why the issue continues even after changing settings in the print dialog.

Step 3: Check Print Settings Before Printing

Before clicking the print button, always review the print dialog box.

Press Ctrl + P to open the print window. Look for the orientation option and confirm it is set to portrait. Some applications have a separate dropdown for layout, which can override system preferences.

Also, ensure that the correct printer is selected, especially if multiple printers are installed. Incorrect selection can result in unexpected behavior.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers are a major cause of orientation issues.

Go to Device Manager, expand the Printers section, and locate your printer. Right-click and select Update Driver. Choose automatic search for updated drivers.

If updating does not fix the issue, uninstall the printer completely. Restart your computer and reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer’s official website.

Reinstalling drivers removes corrupted configurations and restores default settings, which often resolves persistent printing problems.

Step 5: Reset Printer to Default Settings

Sometimes, printer settings stored internally can conflict with system preferences.

Access your printer’s settings either through its control panel or through software on your computer. Look for an option like Restore Defaults or Reset Settings.

After resetting, reconnect the printer and configure it again. This step clears any hidden settings that might be forcing landscape printing.

Step 6: Check Paper Size and Layout Settings

Incorrect paper size or layout configuration can also force landscape orientation.

Open printer preferences and ensure the selected paper size matches the actual paper loaded in the tray. For example, using A4 settings with a different paper type may cause layout adjustments.

Also, check scaling options such as Fit to Page or Shrink Oversized Pages. These settings can sometimes alter orientation automatically.

Step 7: Test Printing from Another Application

To isolate the issue, try printing the same document from a different application.

For example, if the issue occurs in a browser, save the document as a PDF and print it using another viewer. If it prints correctly, the problem lies within the original application.

This method helps determine whether the issue is software-specific or system-wide.

Step 8: Remove and Re-Add the Printer

If none of the previous steps work, removing and re-adding the printer can resolve deeper configuration issues.

Go to Settings, open Devices, and select Printers and Scanners. Remove your printer from the list.

Restart your system and add the printer again. Windows will install fresh settings and drivers, eliminating potential conflicts.

Step 9: Check for Windows Updates

Operating system bugs can sometimes affect printing behavior.

Open Settings, go to Windows Update, and check for updates. Install any pending updates and restart your computer.

Microsoft frequently releases fixes for hardware compatibility issues, including printer-related bugs.

Step 10: Verify Advanced Printer Properties

Advanced printer settings can sometimes override standard preferences.

In Devices and Printers, right-click your printer and select Printer Properties. Navigate to the Advanced tab and review the default settings.

Ensure there are no forced layout configurations. If available, disable any automatic orientation features.

Step 11: Use Print Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in tool for diagnosing printer issues.

Go to Settings, select System, then Troubleshoot, and open Other Troubleshooters. Run the printer troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

This tool can automatically detect and fix common problems related to drivers, settings, and connectivity.

FAQs

Why does my printer keep switching to landscape mode automatically

This usually happens due to default printer preferences or application settings overriding your selection. It can also occur due to outdated drivers.

Can a corrupted driver cause orientation issues?

Yes, corrupted or outdated drivers can ignore orientation settings and force incorrect layouts during printing.

Does the type of document affect orientation?

Yes, documents created in landscape layout will always print in landscape unless the page setup is changed.

How do I permanently set portrait as the default?

You can set portrait as the default by opening Printing Preferences in the Control Panel and saving the orientation as Portrait.

What if the issue occurs only in one application?

In that case, the problem is likely with that specific application’s print settings. Reset or reinstall the application if needed.