M281 Not printing correctly on color documents. Dull images

[Yellow321]

HP MFP M281fdw suddenly started printing horribly dull color images.  Anything with red or some form of red does not print.  So oranges or dark yellows or pinks look like VERY faded yellow or non-existent entirely.  It seems as if the magenta is not being used on any of my print documents.  Magenta toner is full and does print on the Supplies Status page.  I have changed the cartridge to a brand new one (even though the old one wasn't empty) thinking maybe the old cartridge went bad?  Both new and old cartridges are HP cartridges, so not offbrand.  I changed all the toner color and black cartridges so they are all brand new.  I have tried cleaning the heads, ran color calibration, adjusted alignment, updated printer, updated drivers, and all the other common troubleshooting.  Nothing has worked.  Used to print great until about 4 or 5 months ago and now it prints terribly.  Help.  What is wrong with this? 

Printer is out of warranty so I can't seem to get any help from an actual human being from HP.  (I'm willing to pay for help, but I don't even see this option anywhere!)

I have closed images.  The first image is how this color document is supposed to look.  The second image is how it is printed (extremely dull and none of the pinks and reds are shown.  Notice the faint yellow of the main center part that is supposed to be somewhat orange .

 How the image is supposed to lookDull printed image with no pinks, reds, and orange

Supply Status

[sandytechy20]

@Yellow321

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting print quality issues, I am glad to assist you.

If you have tried all the steps mentioned in this HP document:- Click here

And if the issue still persists, this might require one on one interaction to fix the issue.

I am sending you a private message wi th the steps to talk to HP support.

Please check the mailbox icon at the top-right corner of this screen.

I hope this helps resolve this issue completely.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[Yellow321]

I replied back to your inbox message.  I am still not able to find a phone number to contact support. The red coloring isn't working on any of my prints.  This printer is used daily and I need this fixed asap. 

[sandytechy20]

@Yellow321

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting print quality issues, I am glad to assist you.

If you have tried all the steps mentioned in this HP document:- Click here

And if the issue still persists, this might require one on one interaction to fix the issue.

I am sending you a private message with the steps to talk to HP support.

Please check the mailbox icon at the top-right corner of this screen.

I hope this helps resolve this issue completely,

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers. 

[Yellow321]

A copy and pasted response that I already received.  Cool. 

Can you please just supply the phone number to HP support so I can actually get help with this? As I responded twice now in your inbox, the steps you have given me in my inbox to hunt for the number to support do not work.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Yellow321,

This might require one on one interaction to fix the issue

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

[Yellow321]

Well, for anyone else with this issue, I finally got the phone number to support 800-474-6836 called and was told I have to buy a whole new printer because "HP does not do repairs"  even if I did have a warranty (which I don't).  So lesson learned, HP printers only last a few years of LIGHT USE (this printer is our home printer that is used for occasional printing) before they stop working and you are told you have to buy a new one.  Comical, really.  These printers aren't cheap so this is a pretty expensive investment, especially considering each toner is over $100 bucks EACH, too! I will be looking elsewhere for a new printer that is NOT HP. 

PS...I have a friend who has this same printer and the exact same issue happened to them.  So this isn't an isolated fluke. 

[jbrooksia]

Same printer, same issue.  Dull and lifeless color. Did every troubleshooting step available - nothing worked. I bought this printer ($$$$$) thinking surely a laser jet would last and not have issues like an ink jet. Boy was I wrong.  I found a number to call as well, they wanted to charge me $19.99 for 30 days of support, and for what? To tell me they dont so repairs? GTH HP! From here on out I will buy the cheapest printer and just replace them when the ink runs out.  What a waste.