I have a Smart Tank 5000 and it will not print in color. I CANNOT remove the cartridges.

[Zen540]

I have changed all the settings for the printer even the grayscale and it still won't print in color. I'm using this for my business and need it to print in color. Should I delete the printer and all other downloads and start fresh? It had printed in color previously but after resetting the wifi I had to reinstall the printer. Help!! 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Zen540 

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for posting your query! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like your HP Smart Tank 5000 is having trouble printing in color, which can be especially frustrating when you're relying on it for business. 

Let’s work through some steps to resolve this issue:

1. Check Ink Levels

• Ensure that the color ink tanks (cyan, magenta, yellow) have sufficient ink. You can check the ink levels on the printer’s control panel or through the HP Smart app.
• If any tanks are low, refill them with genuine HP ink to avoid compatibility issues.

2. Perform a Printhead Cleaning

• Printheads can sometimes get clogged, especially after a Wi-Fi reset or printer reinstallation.
• Use the HP Smart app or the printer’s control panel to perform a printhead cleaning:
  • Open the app, select your printer, and navigate to Maintenance or Tools.
  • Run the Clean Printhead or Print Quality Toolbox option.

3. Print a Diagnostic Page

• Load plain paper into the printer and print a Print Quality Diagnostic Page:
  • On the printer control panel, press the Resume and Color Copy buttons simultaneously.
  • This page will help identify if the issue is with the printheads or settings.

4. Verify Printer Settings

• Ensure that the printer settings on your computer are configured to print in color:
  • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
  • Right-click your printer and select Printing Preferences.
  • Make sure the Print in Grayscale option is unchecked and that Color is selected.

5. Update Printer Firmware

• Outdated firmware can cause functionality issues. Visit the HP Support website and download the latest firmware for your printer model.
  Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support

6. Reinstall the Printer

• If the issue persists, uninstall the printer software and drivers:
  • Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall the HP software.
• Reinstall the printer using the latest drivers from the HP Support website.

7. Reset the Printer

• Perform a hard reset:
  • Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
  • Wait for 2-3 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on.

Let me know how these steps work for you or if you need additional guidance—I’m here to help you get your printer back to printing in color! 🌟

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye