My printer is only printing in black and white

[Nicki30]

My printer is only printing in black and white

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Nicki30 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your printer is only printing in black and white and you're expecting color prints, here are some common reasons and troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Check Printer Settings

• Check the print settings on your computer or in the print dialog before printing:
  1. When you go to File > Print, look for an option that says Color or Black and White.
  2. If it's set to Black and White or Grayscale, change it to Color.
  3. Ensure the correct paper type is selected (some printers might default to black and white depending on paper type settings).

2. Check Ink Levels

• Check the ink levels of your color cartridges. If one or more of the color cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow) are empty, your printer might default to black and white or grayscale printing.
  • You can check the ink levels through:
    • The printer's display screen (if applicable).
    • The HP Smart app or the printer's software on your computer.
  • If any of the color cartridges are empty or low, replace them to restore color printing.

3. Color Cartridge Issues

• Ensure color cartridges are installed properly:
  • Turn off the printer and open the printer’s cartridge area.
  • Make sure the color cartridges are correctly inserted and not jammed.
  • Check for any protective plastic strips or tape that may not have been removed from the cartridge before installation.
• Try reinstalling the cartridges:
  • Remove the color cartridges and carefully reinsert them to ensure they are correctly seated.

4. Check for Software or Driver Issues

• Sometimes, printer drivers or software can cause issues with color printing.
  • Update or reinstall the printer drivers:
    1. Go to the HP website and find the latest drivers for your printer model.
    2. Download and install the updated drivers.
  • If you’re using HP Smart, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

5. Check for Print Queue or Job Issues

• If there is a print job in the queue that’s stuck or has been set to black and white, it might block subsequent jobs from printing in color.
  • Clear the print queue:
    1. Open the Print Queue on your computer.
    2. Cancel any pending jobs and try printing again.

I hope this helps.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.