I cannot print in color from my computer

[Auderey]

My printer will no longer print in color from my computer.   This problem happened after I installed Print Shop 23.1 on my hard drive.  I  had previously been using this software by inserting the disks each time I opened and it had been working well.   I received a pop up notice that I was not getting the full potential of my product because it was not installed on my hard drive.  So.....I proceeded to install on my hard drive.   Then there was an upgrade from windows 10........and........when I now print it is all black and white.  Yes, it was working very well before the full installation of Print Shop 23.1 and  windows upgrade.   I have tried unstalling and installing Print Shop without correcting the problem.  Took my computer to a repair shop and after returning home we had trouble connecting with my HP Officejet 8040 Network.  But eventually my son got it working again and for a few print jobs I had color..........then the color mysterously disappeared and for weeks I've tried to locate some setting which would help me restore the color to my print jobs and so far have gotten no help from anyone and have been unable to find anything on my own which would solve the problem.   Does anyone out there have an idea of how  to repair this thing?

[Rainbow23]

Hi @Auderey,

Welcome to HP Forums, this is a great place to get support, find answers and tips.

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you.

I understand that you are facing print quality issues with your HP Officejet 8040 with Neat e-All-in-One Printer wherein it does not print in color.

This issue could occur if the color cartridge is defective or not detected by the printer.

Let's go through a few steps that may help to fix this issue.

And here are a few steps for you in the link: Print Quality Issues

You may also uncheck the Grayscale option from the Color pop-up menu as mentioned in page no. 29 and 30 of the user guide from the link: User Guide​

Let me know how this works.

You have a good day ahead.

[Auderey]

I'm sorry to say I forgot to include an important bit of information when I sent my first post on the subject:  I cannot print in color from my computer.    I can scan and print (independent of the computer)  in color from  my printer, so the printer is working properly.   Something happened when I installed Print Shop 23.1 and almost immediately received an upgrade from Windows 10.......because that is when my color printing stopped!   As I think I said before, Print Shop 23.1 has been uninstalled and re-installed maybe 5 times...........but I can't locate that setting which took away my ability to print in color from the computer.   That evidently makes no sense to anyone as I've surely been unable to find help.   TSA choice......a well known and capable computer repair shop, which I have used for repairs numerous time, did not solve my problerm.

Thanks for your reply to my post.  I look forward to hearing from you again and I do hope you can help me resolve this problem.

Sincerely,

Auderey

[Chimney_83 · Accepted solution]

Greetings @Auderey, I am the @Chimney_83. It looks like you were interacting with @Rainbow23, but he is out of the office today so I'll take over from here.

Thanks for the reply and providing more information. 

Request you follow the exact procedure mentioned below to uninstall the printer software on your computer and install it back. 

Uninstall the printer from "programs and features" which can be accessed by doing a right-click on the Windows button (Please have the printer Off and disconnected during uninstallation.)

Check in device manager, if the printer is listed there, please delete it. (Right-click on the Windows button to access device manager)

Go to devices and printers, select any printer listed there and you will get some options on the top. 

Click on print server properties. 

You will get a popup, click on the drivers tab and delete all the HP printer drivers listed there, if any.

Delete all the instances of your printer listed in devices and printers.

Restart the PC.

Once the PC is on the desktop, press Win + R, it would bring a Run dialog box, 

Type %temp% in the run box and click Ok or hit the Enter button.

It would bring up the temporary files folder. Delete the files in the folder (You might not be able to delete all the files, ignore them).

If possible, delete the printer from the registries using Regedit or using any other 3rd party application.

Restart the PC again. 

Download the latest full feature driver from www.hp.com/drivers and install it on the computer.

Power On/Connect the printer to your computer only when the setup prompts for the printer. 

This procedure might look complicated but will resolve the issue you are facing. 

Let me know if this helped. 

[Auderey]

Thank you @Chimney_83 for your reply to my post.  I just want to know if applying your instructions will work since I have a wireless connection.   Thank you Auderey

[Chimney_83]

Thanks for the reply, the suggested procedure will work with wireless connection as well. 

Make to power on the printer while installing it back on your computer. 

Last step mentioned in the procedure. 

Keep me posted. Good Luck. 

[Auderey]

Thanks for your response...........maybe later today I can see if that works, and I truly hope it does.

[Chimney_83]

Please do try the procedure in your spare time and I am sure it will resolve the issue you are facing. 

Keep me posted. Good Luck.

[Auderey]

I have reached an impass............I cannot find Drivers that I can download

[Auderey]

Thank you so much.............I was able to print a document in color.  Thank you, again!!!!!