Hp envy 4520 won't print colors

[Smilka]

My HP Envy 4520 used to print in both color and black/white without issue when I was subscribed to the ink saver program.  However, I did not want to continue my subscription, and I purchased full HP cartridges which matched the printer cartridge specifications.  Once I did that, my printer WILL NOT print in color.  It acknowledges the full cartridge, but it won't use it even if I very intentionally direct it to do so.  I've tried removing and reinstalling the cartridges.  I've looked online for answers.  I reached out to HP and was told that the printer was too old; they wouldn't help me.  I finally found a reddit post which said that HP essentially holds your printer hostage if you don't subscribe to the instant ink program.  Is that true???

[Raj_05]

Hi @Smilka,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with your HP Envy 4520 printer. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem.

• Check Cartridge Installation: Ensure that the color cartridge is properly installed in the correct slot. Sometimes, improper installation can cause issues with detection.
• Clean Cartridge Contacts: Remove the color cartridge and gently clean the electrical contacts on both the cartridge and the printer with a lint-free cloth dampened with distilled water. Make sure they are completely dry before reinserting the cartridge.
• Update Printer Firmware: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer on the HP website. Sometimes, updating the firmware can resolve compatibility issues with non-HP cartridges.
• Printer Settings: Check the printer settings to ensure that color printing is enabled. Sometimes, printers default to grayscale or black-and-white mode, especially if they detect low ink levels.
• Printer Drivers: Make sure you have the latest printer drivers installed on your computer. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause printing issues.
• Reset Printer: Try resetting your printer to its factory defaults. This can sometimes resolve software-related issues. Refer to your printer's user manual for instructions on how to perform a reset.

By following these steps, you should hopefully be able to resolve the issue and get your printer working properly again.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support