My relatively new HP OfficeJet 3833 will not print in color, even though it's set to do so.

[Cwissinie]

When I first got this printer, I had no problems printing in color.  Now, although the settings are at "Color," it only prints in grayscale.  This is rather disconcerting, given the fact that I'm on the InstantInk program, because every time I print a page to see if it's in color, that's another page counted against me.  Not sure if the InstantInk program is such a good idea, particularly when one the number of pages are counted against the user, even when 1) you're just printing a business card on a page (just as an example), or 2) it's HP's fault/problem, as it is with me right now.  If the printer was functioning as I have it set to function, I wouldn't have to use up countless, needless copies.  I've only been using the printer for a couple of months, and I haven't had this issue until now, and I don't know how to correct it.

[TEJ1602 · Accepted solution]

@Cwissinie, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Are you able to copy in color? If yes, this could be an issue with the driver settings or the installed printer driver. Not to worry, I shall help you with this issue.

Refer to the document HP Printers - Print Driver Settings Guide (Windows) to adjust the settings.

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates.

For more information, go to Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware.

If the issue persists, I recommend you delete the driver and root level and retry, follow the steps below: 

1) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features 

2) Select your HP Printer 

3) Select Uninstall 

4) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers 

5) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove Device’ 

6) Open up the run command with the “Windows key + R” key combo. 

7) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe”

😎 Click on the “Drivers” tab 

9) Look for the HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom 

10) Select Ok 

11) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows 

12) Close Devices and Printers.

Now, download and install the full-featured software from here.

If you still have issues printing in color, I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help.

With regards to the pages wasted on your Instant Ink account, I would like to know a few details to assist you with that. I have sent you a private message, reply to the message with your details.

In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Cwissinie]

By the time you responded, I had already figured things out for myself.  Since I essentially did what you said were the steps to be taken, I credited you with resolving my problem.  I never tried to copy in color, primarily because I hate to waste any of my precious pages on testing (a definite downfall of the InstantInk program -- that, in addition to pages counting towards my monthly allotment, even if it's just a sentence that I need to print).  Thanks.