SCAN/COPY ISSUES WITH GRAY

[GRE1984]

When scanning to print or copying to print, the printer will not print the light gray. I can scan to email and then print the document correctly. All drivers are up to date, cleaning done and demo page looks great. The only issue is copying/scanning to print and the result does not match the scanned document. 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @GRE1984 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

It sounds like your printer is skipping light gray tones only during direct scan-to-print or copy operations, while printing from email works fine. This points to a scan calibration or contrast issue—not a print or driver fault.

Thanks for explaining everything so clearly—and I’m really sorry this is happening. It’s frustrating when the printer performs well in most tasks but misses subtle details like light gray during copying or scanning to print. 

Let’s walk through a few steps to help restore full tonal accuracy:

 

Key steps to resolve missing light gray in scan/copy output

Check scanner brightness and contrast settings

• On the printer’s control panel or in the HP App, look for Copy Settings or Scan Settings.
• Reduce the brightness slightly and increase contrast to help the scanner pick up faint gray tones.

Use the HP App for scanning instead of direct copy

• Open the HP App and select Scan.
• Choose Scan to Computer or Scan to Email, then print the scanned file.
• This method uses enhanced image processing and often preserves subtle tones better than direct copy.

Update printer firmware

• Visit HP Software & Driver Downloads and enter your printer model.
• Download and install the latest firmware even if drivers are current—firmware updates often improve scan/copy accuracy.

Run the copy diagnostic tool

• Use HP’s Diagnose & Fix tool to check for copy-related issues.
• It can detect calibration faults or internal scan module errors.

Perform a scanner calibration (if available)

• Some models offer a calibration or alignment option in the printer’s settings menu.
• Run this to reset the scanner’s tonal detection.

Try scanning/copying a different document with light gray

• Use a test page with clear light gray blocks.
• Compare results between direct copy and scan-to-print to confirm if the issue is consistent.

Let me know how it goes—if light gray still doesn’t appear during copy, I can guide you through a deeper calibration or help check if your model supports enhanced scan profiles.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye