M281fdw prints only in black and white

[Mjausan]

My printer only prints in black and white. The color printing has been working fine previously. I remember a while ago that a dialogue box asked me if I wanted to save toner so I clicked yes. After that it only prints black and white and I don't know how to reset it. I tried making a factory reset via the display options, according to the manual, but it didn't work, still prints b/w only. How can I sort this out?

[Raj1788]

@Mjausan

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips to your technical queries.

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:

Are you using genuine HP toners?

Try making copying something in color, if it does a copy in color then try the steps below to change the setting on your computer  

Opening the print settings window

Launch the HP print driver window from common Windows applications and learn how to navigate the different tabs and menus.

1. Open the document or photo on your computer, click File or the menu icon , then click Print.

   A Print or Print Pictures window or pane opens with general print job settings, including the menu to select the printer you want to print to.

2. Open Document Properties or Printing Preferences from the main print window or pane to access the HP print driver settings. The button or link name varies depending on the app you are printing from.

   • Microsoft Word: Click Printer Properties

   • Paint and WordPad: Click Preferences

   • Windows Photo Viewer: Click Options... in the lower right corner of the screen, then click Printer Properties... in the Print Settings window

   • Adobe PDF Reader: Click Properties

3. To view the different settings, click the tabs along the top of the window. To access more settings, click the Advanced button that is often located on the Layout tab.

   Figure : Example of a printer Document Properties window

   

4. If a Printing Shortcut tab is available, click it to use shortcuts that already have essential settings already selected for common print job types. You may also create your own custom shortcut for future print jobs.

Select Color or Black & White on the Paper/Quality tab

On the Color or Features tab, or in Advanced Options, click the menu next to Print in Grayscale and select Off for color prints, High-Quality Grayscale, or Black Ink Only

Under Printer Features on the Advanced tab

Use this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-color-laserjet-pro-m280-m281-multifunction-printer-series/14... for your reference.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons on the public post, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day!

Cheers:)

[Mjausan]

Thanks for helping!

I can copy in color so the printer itself is just fine. 

And yes, the toners are HP original.

Unfortunately the tips don't solve my problem. Greyscale is off in the settings. 

Got any other advice?

[Raj1788 · Accepted solution]

@Mjausan

Thanks for the reply,

As the copy is working fine this could be a driver issue.

Let's try to fix this issue by doing a clean install. 

Follow the steps mentioned below:

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer is present.

Go to Control panel - Programs and feature - Select your HP printer entries and uninstall them.

Now go to Control panel - Devices and printer - Select all the printer entries and remove the device.

Restart your computer.

Click the bottom-left Start button on the desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.

Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose "Show hidden devices".

Then from the device manager list, check the entries under "Printer" - If there are any entries, please right click and choose "uninstall" - In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says "Delete the driver software for this device".

Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. 

Delete any printer entry or any entry which says "Unknown device".

Once done, close device-manger. 

Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.

Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well. Again, go to Run window, type - "c:/programdata" - Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.

Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. 

You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.

Now restart your computer again. Open the Run window again, type "services.msc" and press ok to get services window. Scroll down to "Remote Procedure Call (RPC)" - right-click and go to properties. 

Make sure the service is started and startup type is "Automatic".

Now scroll up and go to "Function Discovery Provider Host" - right-click and select properties - Change the startup type to "manual" and start the service.

Repeat the same exercise on "Function Discovery Resource Publication" as well.

Then click on this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-color-laserjet-pro-m280-m281-multifunc... to download and install the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw/M281cdw Printer Full Software Solution.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day!

Cheers:)

[Mjausan]

It's sorted out now with help of the tips you gave. I can print in color again, wonderful 

Thanks a lot!

[asmita6658]

@Mjausan

Thanks for replying. Happy to hear that. 

If the issue still persists, feel free to reach out to us. 

Have a great day!