HP OJP 8020 suddenly not printing colors (just b/w) despite color cartridges full

[Rich0518]

8020 printer was printing beautifully then suddenly stopped printing colors despite cartridges having plenty of ink.  I don't think I changed any settings although I guess I might have.  printer in cool, dry location.  

[Max3Aj]

@Rich0518, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

If your HP OfficeJet Pro 8028e suddenly stopped printing in color despite having full cartridges, here are the troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check Print Settings

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your HP 8028e printer > Printing Preferences.
• Under the Paper/Quality tab, ensure:
  • Color is selected (not "Black & White" or "Grayscale").
  • Print in Grayscale is unchecked.

2. Print a Quality Diagnostic Page

• On the printer's touchscreen:
  • Swipe to Setup > Tools > Print Quality Report.
• Check if colors appear on the report.
  • If no color appears, the issue is likely hardware-related (e.g., clogged printhead).
  • If colors appear, the issue may be software or driver-related.

3. Clean the Printhead

• From the printer menu: Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead.
• You may need to run this 2–3 times for full effect.
• If that fails, consider manual cleaning (only if you're comfortable doing so).

4. Check Ink Cartridges

• Remove and inspect the color cartridges:
  • Ensure they are genuine HP and not expired.
  • Check for clogged nozzles or protective tape still attached.
  • Reinsert them firmly.

5. Try a Different App

• Try printing from another app (e.g., Word, browser, or PDF viewer).
• Sometimes, app-specific settings override system defaults.

6. Reinstall Printer Drivers

• Uninstall the printer from Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
• Then reinstall the latest drivers from the HP Support site.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support