Picture quality

[DISASTERNURSE]

I've had this printer for years and it's always worked great. Recently, printed pictures come out "washed out". My black ashphalt street looks pink/almost white. Tried cleaning, calibrating, etc. Documents print fine, just pictures from ALL apps are affected. Please help.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @DISASTERNURSE 

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 Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw is experiencing a color calibration or toner-related issue. Since documents print fine but pictures appear washed out, the problem might be specific to color rendering for images. 

Let’s troubleshoot step by step:

Step 1: Check Print Settings

1. Open the print dialog from the app you’re using to print pictures.
2. Ensure the print quality is set to Best or High Quality (avoid Draft or EconoMode).
3. Verify that the color settings are not set to grayscale or monochrome.

Step 2: Calibrate the Printer

1. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Setup > Service > Color Calibration.
2. Select Calibrate Now and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. After calibration, print a test image to see if the issue is resolved.

Step 3: Check Toner Cartridges

1. Ensure all toner cartridges are genuine HP cartridges and not expired.
2. Remove each cartridge and gently shake it to redistribute the toner evenly.
3. Inspect the cartridges for any leaks or damage.

Step 4: Clean the Printer

1. Access the printer’s cleaning mode from Setup > Service > Cleaning Page.
2. Run the cleaning cycle to remove any debris or toner buildup that might affect print quality.

Step 5: Update Printer Firmware

1. Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support
2. Download and install the latest firmware updates to ensure optimal performance.

Step 6: Test with Different Files

1. Try printing a different picture or image format (e.g., JPEG, PNG) to rule out file-specific issues.
2. If possible, print the same image from another device to see if the problem persists.

Step 7: Perform a Factory Reset

1. If none of the above steps work, consider performing a factory reset:
   • Navigate to Setup > Service > Restore Defaults.
   • This will reset all settings to factory defaults, so you’ll need to reconfigure the printer afterward.

If this solution hits the spot, please come back and click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left of the public post, as that would make our day! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye