New HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301 photo prints too dark. White highlights are blue

[robjh179]

New HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301 photo prints too dark. White highlights are blue

[zoey7886]

@robjh179, Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding Dark Prints and Blue Highlights on HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution. 

If your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301 is printing photos that are too dark and with white highlights appearing blue, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue:

1. Check the Print Settings

• Paper Type: Ensure the paper type setting matches the paper you are using (e.g., photo paper, plain paper).
• Quality Settings: Set the print quality to the highest available, such as "Best" or "Maximum dpi."
• Color Management: Adjust the color management settings in the print driver to ensure correct color rendering.

2. Calibrate the Printer

• Calibrate Colors: Calibrate the printer to align the colors accurately. Access the "Setup" menu on your printer’s control panel, navigate to "Print Quality," and select "Calibrate Color."

3. Adjust Color Settings

• Color Theme: Change the color theme to a more suitable option:
  • Access the printer properties from your software.
  • Click "Advanced" and select a color theme (e.g., “Vivid/sRGB” for business graphics or “Photo (sRGB)” for photographs).

4. Inspect and Maintain Toner Cartridges

• Visual Inspection: Check the toner cartridges for any damage or issues. Ensure the memory chips and imaging drums are in good condition.
• Use Genuine HP Toner: Always use genuine HP cartridges for reliable print quality.

5. Test Printing from Different Software

• Alternative Software: Try printing from a different software application to determine if the issue is software-related.

6. Environmental Considerations

• Print Environment: Ensure the printer is operating within recommended environmental conditions. 

Hope this helps!

Take care, and have an amazing day! 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going! 

Regards,

[robjh179]

Thank you for your response. However it has not been helpful as the adjustments you suggest are not available or do not function.
Please note this is a new machine.
Below is a description of attempts to obtain a suitable photo print.
Please advise any other adjustments that could be attempted

Your instructions:
1.Yes Check the Print Settings
Paper - glossy photo Yes
Print quality-  highest Yes
Color Management - no item on menu
2. Calibrate the Printer
 Calibrate Colors:
set up>print quality>Calibrate Color
Calibrate - output looks OK
3. Adjust Color Settings Color Theme:
printer Properties>Advanced>color theme - no item on menu
4. this is a new machine
5. Printed from Photo shop - same result - too dark
Photo printed on other machine - correct contrast
Using HP Smart APP
6. 70 deg F

Print Photos TAB
Select Photos to Print - select photo file
Simple photo print - Print
            Image shown on screen is as required - correct contrast etc
    More Settings
Color Mode
    Color
    More Settings
        Edge Control
        Neutral Grays
        Halftone
        RGB Color Selection
            Printer Default
            Office (sRGB)
            Photo (sRGB)
            Device RGB
            Adobe RGB
            Vivid (sRGB)
Selected each of following in turn to print photo
           Printer Default
            Office (sRGB)
            Photo (sRGB)
            Adobe RGB
No apparent difference           

HP Smart APP
Printer Settings TAB
Print Quality
Tools
    Print Quality Troubleshooting Page
    Color Calibration
    Fuser Cleaning
Calibration
    Power-On Calibration
    Calibration Timing
Optimize
    Background Toner Reduction (+1)
    Background Toner Reduction (+2)
    Transfer Belt Cleaning - No Adjustment
    etc
Paper Type Adjustment
    Print Modes
Image Registration
    Horizontal and Vertical shift
Adjust Color - slide adjustment bars for the following
    Highlights
        Black 0 Cyan0
        Magenta 0 Yellow 0
    Midtones
        Black 0 Cyan0
        Magenta 0 Yellow 0
    Shadows
        Black 0 Cyan0
        Magenta 0 Yellow 0

[zoey7886]

Hi @robjh179, 

Thanks for your detailed follow-up, and I truly appreciate your patience—especially with a brand new printer. Let's work together to get your photo prints looking just right.

Since you've already tried the essential calibration and color theme options (including RGB modes), and there's still no improvement, here are a few more things to try:

1. Manual Color Adjustments (via HP Smart App)

You’ve found the color adjustment sliders—great!
Try increasing Yellow and Magenta slightly under Highlights, and reduce Cyan.
This can help correct the bluish tint in white areas. Start small (+10 to +15), print a test, and tweak as needed.

2. Update Firmware & Drivers

Make sure your printer's firmware and the HP Smart app are up to date. An outdated driver might limit or affect print quality options.

3. Try Printing via Windows Photo Viewer or Preview (Mac)

Photoshop might be overriding certain printer settings. Try printing the same image using a simpler app to isolate the software influence.

4. Color Profiles

If you're using custom ICC profiles in Photoshop, try switching to "Let Printer Manage Colors" and then test print with “Photo (sRGB)” or “Vivid (sRGB)” selected.

If our solution hit the spot, please click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left as that would make our day! 

Take care, and have an incredible day ahead! 

Regards, 

[robjh179]

Thanks again for trying to help. In response to your suggestions:
1. Color adjustment sliders - range of -5 to + 5, can be changed in units of one
Increased Yellow and Magenta by to 1
Decreased Cyan by -1
No change in print appearance - too dark
Increased Yellow and Magenta by to 3
Decreased Cyan by -3
No change in print appearance - too dark
2. Loaded Firmware etc 5 days ago when installing printer  - new printer, have not used HP printers previously.

Have attempted to reload - have not discovered how to do this
3. Printed via Windows Photo Viewer
No change in print appearance - too dark
Converted jpg format to PDF format and printed using adobe.
Print appearance is worse - darker and higher contrast

In each case the image that appears on the computer monitor looks OK.

When the photo is printed on another printer it is OK
It seems that the printer does not respond to the HP Smart APP adjustments and always uses something like "Vivid (sRGB)"

Unless this can be resolved the printer will be returned

[Max3Aj]

@robjh179, Thank you for your response. 

@zoey7886 is away for now. 

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action. 

  

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link. 

  

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

  

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[robjh179]

The problem was solved by changing the driver to HP Smart Universal Printing