Computer won't print in color

[user88888]

Hi. I have been having this issue the entire time I have had this printer. It does not print anything in color if I am using the computer. On my tablet it does let me choose color and prints just fine (minus not printing double sided) but on the computer it's like it's not even an option. 

When I go to Print Document and I go to change the settings I select color from the default monochrome then hit OK but when I go to check it changed, it's back at monochrome. It won't save the setting.

When I try to change it on the device setting and into printer and devices, printer preferences, it does not even show me any option for color.

How can I get my computer to print in color?

[Garp_senchau]

Hi @user88888, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Check Printer Settings on the Computer

Open the Control Panel on your computer.

• Go to Devices and Printers (or Printers & Scanners on Windows 10 and 11).
• Find your printer and right-click on it.
• Select Printing Preferences.

Check Printer Preferences for Color Options:

• In the Printing Preferences window, see if there’s an option for color. It may be listed as Color, Color Mode, or something similar.
• If it is set to Monochrome, try changing it to Color and click Apply or OK.
• Important: If the setting keeps reverting, try the next steps to fix it.

Update Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers could be causing issues with settings not saving.

1. Update Printer Drivers:
   • Go to the manufacturer’s website for your printer model and look for the latest driver for your operating system.
   • Download and install the driver package, and make sure to follow the installation instructions carefully.
2. Update through Device Manager (Windows):
   • Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager.
   • Expand the Printers section and right-click on your printer.
   • Select Update Driver and choose to search automatically for updated drivers.
3. Restart your computer after installing or updating the drivers.

Set the Printer as the Default Printer

Sometimes, if the wrong printer is set as the default, it could cause issues with printing settings.

1. Go to Devices and Printers (or Printers & Scanners).
2. Right-click on your printer and select Set as default printer.

Check for Print Spooler Issues

The print spooler manages print jobs, and a corrupted spooler can cause printing problems.

1. Restart the Print Spooler:
   • Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
   • Scroll down to Print Spooler.
   • Right-click and select Restart.
2. Try printing again.

[Garp_senchau]

Printer Software Settings (for Advanced Printers)

If your printer has a custom software suite (like HP Smart, Canon IJ Printer Utility, etc.), ensure that the color settings within that software are configured correctly.

• Open the printer's software from your Start Menu or desktop.
• Look for color settings or print quality settings and ensure it’s set to print in color.

Test with Another Application

Check if the issue is specific to the program you’re printing from. Try printing from a different application (e.g., a web browser, Adobe Acrobat) and see if you still have the same issue.

Reinstall the Printer

If all else fails, reinstalling the printer driver and reconnecting the printer might fix any underlying software issues:

1. Go to Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and select Remove device.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Reinstall the printer by either plugging it in (for wired printers) or following the wireless setup instructions for your model.
4. After installation, try printing again with the color settings adjusted.

Printer Firmware Update

Some printers have bugs that are resolved by a firmware update:

1. Visit the manufacturer’s website and check if a firmware update is available for your printer model.
2. Follow the instructions for updating the firmware.

Test with Another Computer

• If the issue persists, test printing from another computer to verify if it's an issue specific to your current computer's configuration.

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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