WHY has my printer stopped printing the colors?

[CJC44]

My printer has never had an issue with not printing in color.   It worked at 10:00 am yesterday but did NOT.work at 6:00 pm and still doesn't.   The Cartridges are all hp and about a week old.  I have done all the cleaning and alignment, etc, procedures ...3.  times.   The colors show on the cleaning results print outs.  They do not show on any other site I try.

The paper is top quality and unlikely to cause an issue in 8 hrs.!    I see nothing in the Settings where Color is turned off.

However:  I would like to know all the Settings I should have checked, please.

Thank you.

CJC44

[Sneha_01]

Hi @CJC44 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds frustrating that your printer suddenly stopped printing in color, especially when everything was working fine just a few hours earlier. Since you've already tried cleaning and alignment, let’s go through a few other settings and troubleshooting steps that might help pinpoint the issue.

1. Check Printer Settings in Software

Ensure that the printer settings haven't inadvertently been changed in the print dialog box or software you’re using.

Print Settings: When you try to print a document, check the printer settings in the print dialog. If you're using a program like Word or a browser, make sure that the Color option is selected (not grayscale or black and white).

• Go to the printer's properties in the print dialog box and look for options like Color, Color Mode, or Print in Color.
• Sometimes, the default might switch to grayscale or black and white if the settings get reset.

HP Printer Software (HP Smart): If you're using the HP Smart app or software, check the print settings there as well. Sometimes, you may find an option to print in "Black and White" or "Color". Make sure it’s set to print in color.

2. Check Printer Preferences

On your computer, check the printer’s default settings:

• Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and choose Printer Preferences. Look for any options related to color printing and make sure it’s set to "Color" and not "Black and White" or "Grayscale."
• Mac: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Options & Supplies. Then, check the Print Settings for any option that could affect color output.

3. Check Ink Levels

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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

Rachel571

HP Support

[CJC44]

Thank you.   I can assure you I had done these things but did them again at your suggestion.  

As it turns out,  I turned off the printer and unplugged everything...for about 18 hrs.   Turned it back

on and it is all fixed !!!!

I must say that solutions usually have been about 'blanking out' some glitche that occurs with no explantion.

Also:  The Super experts on these Help sites may view the solutions at a far too high level...that is:  Suggestions such as:

Uninstall; Reinstall;  Get a new Driver;  Fix your Driver...and web sites that are understandable only by someone

who has built hp Printers....not to complain but to offer a suggestion from a real user.   Thanks

[rlcpd]

I thank you for all the hints.   Although I had done those things, probably 3 times.  Nothing helped...So:   The Printer and the PC were in shutdown for about 15 hrs.  When turned back on, the color was printing...again.   This is just an example of the many glitches that occur with this hpEnvy 7255e Printer....and  Word.      ..........

NOW:    Why now is the Printer paper size default as 'Legal' size?.....I have never used legal size with Printer or with Word !!!

I am gone to every 'print' site there is....and reset and reset back to 'letter size'.....as they all were.   Still every time I go into Word---File---Page Set up--- it shows up as 'legal size'..!  I need to check it every single time I print something.    That is not

appropriate for a so called 'good Printer'.   And many, many, many, many shutdowns and unplugging have made no difference.    Any thoughts on this  on??