Only prints in grayscale

[RMP6]

Hello. 

I recently had to re-install Windows 11, and subsequently download the printer drivers.  Since then all printing is in grayscale. I have checked all the 'printer preferences' settings and the 'print in black only' is disabled.  A grayscale graphic is displayed in 'printing shortcuts.' 

Can anyone help?

[Jerry_57]

Hi @RMP6,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like your printer may be set to print in grayscale due to a setting somewhere within the driver or application you are using. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:
 

Check Printer Properties:
 

• Go to your "Devices and Printers" from the Control Panel.
   
• Right-click on your printer and select "Printer Properties".
   
• Go to the "Color" tab and ensure that "Print in Grayscale" is not selected. You might have an option such as "Default (sRGB)" or another color theme that should be selected instead.

Review Printer Driver Settings:
 

• Go to the printer driver settings via the application from which you are attempting to print.
   
• Look for a “Color” or “Paper/Quality” tab in your print menu dialog. Ensure that settings such as "Color" or "Automatic" are selected rather than "Grayscale".

Check Application Settings:
 

• If you are printing from an application like Microsoft Word, go to the printing preferences upon selecting “Print” from the File menu.
   
• Ensure the application's own print settings aren't overriding the default settings to print in grayscale.

Reinstall Printer Drivers:
 

• If the steps above do not work, consider uninstalling the current driver via the "Uninstall a program" option in the Control Panel.
   
• After removing the current driver, download and install the latest drivers from the Official HP® Support for your specific printer model.

Reset Printing Shortcuts:
 

• Sometimes printing shortcuts can inadvertently be set to a default mode that uses grayscale. Navigate through your print dialog to find any "Shortcuts" tab.
   
• Reset any shortcuts or create a new one, ensuring it explicitly states color printing.
  
  I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Jerry_57

HP Support

[RMP6]

Hello again,

I have tried all your suggestions but nothing seems to make any difference. In neither printing preferences or printer properties can I find any colour/grayscale options visible. The only reference is to 'print all text as black' which is disabled. I have removed and reinstalled the printer drivers several times, using both disc or by downloading.  I find it strange that there is no option to select colour or grayscale, but there was when I was using a Windows10 device. All other devices in the house print ok in colour, so I know the printer isn't faulty.

Are there any more suggestions, please?

[Repairatrooper]

1. First make sure you have a proper HP driver installed and not a Microsoft IPP or Class driver installed.

On your PC go to the control panel app
Right click on Devices and Printers and select "open"
Right click on the icon for your printer and select "printer properties"
Click on the "advanced tab", and check the name of the driver. If it is one of the drivers mentioned above, delete the printer, download the current install package from support.hp.com and reinstall.
2. If you do have the proper HP driver installed do this:

On your PC go to the control panel app
Right click on Devices and Printers and select "open"
Right click on the icon for your printer and select "printer properties"
Click on the "device settings" tab and scroll down until you see "device type" and change to color
Device Type Settings

[Jerry_57 · Accepted solution]

Hi @RMP6,

Thank you for your response.

Please help us with the Product serial number or the product number in a private message for further assistance.
 

Here is the link to find the product serial number: - Click here

Find product and serial numbers for HP PCs, printers, and accessories | undefined

To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile and send a private message to me with the serial number, because we value your privacy.

Jerry_57

HP Support

[RMP6]

Glory Hallelujah! 
Thank you so much, Jerry.

Your second suggestion did the trick. The ‘device type’ tab was set to ‘auto detect,’ which clearly it didn’t! Setting it to ‘color’ fixed the problem and normal service is resumed. 
You’re a star!