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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Printer only printing black and white

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08-27-2024 08:15 AM - edited 08-27-2024 08:15 AM
Hi @Leslie2020,
Welcome to The HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
I understand your HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 is only printing in black and white despite selecting color printing and having new ink cartridges, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
1. Check Printer Settings:
- Ensure that the printer is set to print in color. On your computer, go to the print settings:
- Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click on your printer > Printing Preferences > Make sure "Color" is selected under the "Color" or "Quality" tab.
- Mac: When printing a document, go to File > Print > In the print dialog box, select Color Matching and ensure the option is set to ColorSync.
2. Check the Application Print Settings:
- When printing from specific applications (like Word or PDF viewers), make sure the print settings within the application are set to color and not grayscale or black and white.
3. Check the Ink Cartridges:
- Ensure that the color ink cartridges are properly installed and not empty or clogged.
- Run a diagnostic page or print quality report from the printer’s control panel. This can help determine if the color cartridges are working correctly. If you see only black on the diagnostic page, it could indicate a problem with the color cartridges or printhead.
4. Update Printer Firmware and Drivers: Update the firmware on an HP printer User manual
- Make sure your printer firmware and drivers are up to date. You can download the latest drivers and firmware from the HP support website.
5. Clean the Printhead:
- If the printhead is clogged, it may cause printing issues. You can clean the printhead through the printer’s maintenance settings:
- On the printer's control panel, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Clean Printhead.
6. Check for Printer Software or Application Issues:
- Restart the HP Smart app or any other software you’re using to manage the printer.
- Sometimes, uninstalling and reinstalling the printer software on your computer can resolve issues.
7. Reset the Printer:
- Sometimes, performing a reset can help clear out any errors or stuck jobs. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, wait about 60 seconds, and then plug it back in and turn it on.
8. Check the Print Queue and Cancel Any Pending Jobs:
- There may be a print job stuck in the queue that is set to print in black and white. Clear the print queue and try printing again.
Refer to this document: HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series User manual
HP OfficeJet 8700 Printers - Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
A_Gayathri
HP Support Community Administrator.