Troubleshooting: Samsung SCX-3405W Printing in Landscape Mode

Are you struggling with your Samsung SCX-3405W printer stubbornly producing documents in landscape mode, despite your diligent efforts to set it to portrait? This issue can be frustrating, but fret not! In this technical overview, we'll explore the problem, potential solutions, and some additional insights that might help you resolve the dilemma. Whether you're using Windows or Linux, our goal is to help you get your printer back on track.

The Problem: Printing in Landscape Mode

The user reports a perplexing problem with their Samsung SCX-3405W printer. Despite various attempts, including uninstalling and reinstalling the software, updating drivers, and adjusting settings both in software and on the printer, every printout emerges in landscape mode, rather than the desired portrait mode. This problem transcends the type of document being printed, be it PDFs or basic text editors, making it a particularly baffling issue.

Possible Solutions: Windows Users

1. Access Printing Preferences: To tackle this issue on Windows, users are advised to access the Printing Preferences through the Control Panel by following these steps:
   • Navigate to Control Panel.
   • Click on Devices & Printers.
   • Right-click on the SCX-3405 icon.
   • Select Printing Preferences.

   In the Printing Preferences, under the Main tab, make sure the box for portrait mode is checked. This should set portrait as the default setting for your printer.

2. Linux as an Alternative: In an interesting twist, the user reports that when they rebooted their computer to a Linux system, the printer worked perfectly in portrait mode. This suggests that the issue might be specific to Windows, pointing towards a potential Windows driver problem. The user specifies using Windows 7 Professional.
3. Updated Drivers: For those using Windows, it's important to ensure you have the correct and updated drivers. The user provides a link to Samsung's official website for SCX-3405W drivers for Windows 7 Professional. There are multiple options to choose from, including the Print Driver and Universal Print Driver.

   You can find the drivers here: Samsung SCX-3405W Drivers

   It's essential to select the driver that matches your operating system version.

The Unexpected Solution

One user chimes in with a somewhat unexpected solution to the problem. They discover a setting within the Samsung GUI that controls the printing of two sides on one page, and it defaulted to this setting. By changing it to single-sided printing, the printer started producing documents in portrait mode.

Additional Insights

Another user adds an intriguing piece of information. They mention that selecting the "ECO" setting on the front panel of the printer can result in two pages being printed side by side in landscape mode. This option isn't well-documented, which can be perplexing for users trying to navigate their printer settings.

Furthermore, this user highlights that Samsung's printer support has become spotty after HP's acquisition of Samsung's printer division. This can contribute to inconsistencies in support and potentially lead to unexpected quirks in printer behavior.

The Samsung SCX-3405W's tendency to print in landscape mode instead of portrait can be a head-scratcher, but with the right steps, it's a solvable issue. Whether it's adjusting settings in Windows, exploring Linux as an alternative, or digging deep into printer preferences, there are various paths to resolving the problem. Don't forget to double-check your drivers and be mindful of less-documented settings that might impact your printing experience.

For more tech-related troubleshooting and insights, consider following our YouTube Channel, exploring our Tech blog, or visiting us locally in Greensboro, North Carolina. Your printer should be back to producing beautiful portrait documents in no time!