HP Envy 4520 doesn't print color wirelessly.

[Suus1]

Hello,

I can only print in color via a USB cable. When I try to print wirelessly, there's no option between "black/white" and "color" under Printer Properties > Paper/Quality. When I print via USB, I do have that option. I painstakingly installed the printer under two different names, otherwise the wireless option would always only show "offline."

Is there a solution to this problem so that I can leave out that annoying cable?

Thanks in advance,

Suus1

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Suus1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

If you're experiencing issues with your HP Envy 4520 where color printing is only possible via a USB connection and not wirelessly, here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:
 

Steps to Resolve Wireless Color Printing Issue

1. Reinstall the Printer Driver:
   • Uninstall the current printer driver from your computer.
   • Go to the HP ENVY 4520 All-in-One Printer series Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support and download the latest driver specific to your HP Envy 4520.
   • Install this driver and ensure you choose the wireless connection option during setup.
      
2. Check Printer Preferences:
   • When printing wirelessly, sometimes default preferences might limit options.
   • Go to Devices and Printers on your computer, right-click on the printer icon, and select Printing Preferences. Ensure that the color printing option is not disabled here.
      
3. Update Printer Firmware:
   • Make sure your printer's firmware is up to date by checking on the HP support site for firmware updates. This can sometimes resolve connectivity and settings issues.
      
4. Set Printer as Default:
   • Ensure the correct printer (wireless version) is set as the default printer. Sometimes, the default printer setting reverts to another version or an offline state.
   • Go to Devices and Printers, right-click the correct printer, and select Set as Default Printer.
      
5. Reset Wireless Connection:
   • Perform a fresh wireless setup for your printer. Reset the network settings on the printer and connect it again to your Wi-Fi network using the HP Smart app.
      
6. Verify Network Settings:
   • Ensure both your computer and printer are on the same wireless network. Disconnect and reconnect them if necessary.
      
7. Use HP Smart App:
   • Download and install the HP Smart on your computer or mobile device, which provides enhanced functionality and troubleshooting for wireless printing.
      
8. Test on Another Device:
   • Attempt to print from another computer or device wirelessly to rule out if the issue is from a specific device.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[Suus1]

Hi VikramTheGreat,

First hurdle: I found the video "How do I uninstall HP software in Windows 11" on YouTube. I followed the recommended steps: Add or remove programs > Installed programs. There, I'm supposed to look for the app with the name of my HP printer, but it's not there. The only HP apps listed are HP Smart and HP Support Assistant. There's no mention of the HP Envy 4520. Is it enough to simply uninstall the two apps listed?

Greetings,

Suus1

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Suus1,

Yes, in most cases, uninstalling HP Smart and HP Support Assistant is sufficient if:

• You installed the printer using HP Smart.
• You didn’t manually install the full HP driver/software package from HP’s website.
   

However, if you previously installed the full feature software (which includes scan drivers, fax tools, and utilities), it may not show up under the printer’s name. Instead, it could be listed as:

• HP Envy 4520 series Basic Device Software
• HP Scan Extended
• HP Update
• HP Fax Setup Wizard

How to Check for Hidden HP Components

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (not just Settings).
2. Look for any entries starting with HP or Envy 4520.
3. Uninstall anything related to the printer.

Steps to Resolve Wireless Color Printing Issue

1. Reinstall the Printer Driver:
   • Uninstall the current printer driver from your computer.
   • Go to the HP ENVY 4520 All-in-One Printer series Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support and download the latest driver specific to your HP Envy 4520.
   • Install this driver and ensure you choose the wireless connection option during setup.
      
2. Check Printer Preferences:
   • When printing wirelessly, sometimes default preferences might limit options.
   • Go to Devices and Printers on your computer, right-click on the printer icon, and select Printing Preferences. Ensure that the color printing option is not disabled here.
      

I hope this helps.
 

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[Suus1]

Hi VikramTheGreat,

I don't know how the printer driver was installed because I didn't do it myself.

I haven't found any programs on my PC with "HP" or "ENVY 4520" in them, so no hidden HP components either. My Windows 11 automatically gets the latest updates. The recommendations don't specify whether it's for Windows 11.

On https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-envy-4520-all-in-one-printer-series/5447920, where you send me, I enter 'Windows 11' under 1) OS version, under 2) Select your version: when I click on 'Select your Operating System' nothing happens, when I click on 'Windows 11' nothing happens either. There is nothing else in the list. My version is 24H2 but I can't enter it anywhere. For the same reason I can't check the printer firmware on https://support.hp.com/nl-nl/drivers/hp-envy-4520-all-in-one-printer-series/5447920, because that's the same screen.

At https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_6966654-6966703-16 it says: If the operating system (OS) version that is installed on your computer is not listed on the software download site for your HP product, HP does not offer any software or drivers for your product for that operating system etc., and 'If your HP product is an HP printer, you might find a driver at 123.hp.com'. I can't find any driver there.

My printer still works exactly as it did before I asked for help, so it only prints wirelessly in black and white. I don't think I've been able to change anything. However, that damned HPPSDR, which I recently removed with the help of support, is back on, and now I can't even remove it under C > Program Files > HPPSDR, which I could do a few days ago.

What am I doing wrong? You don't know how many hours I've been struggling. I've tried everything countless times, but I give up and keep fiddling with that annoying USB cable.

I once called HP support in Belgium-Dutch, but they could only help me in French. I don't understand the technical terms in that language.

Thanks anyway for the quick and friendly help every time.

Suus1

(Google translation from Dutch)

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @Suus1,

I can see how frustrating this has been, especially with the language barrier and the hours you've spent trying to fix it.

Let me clarify a few key points and help you move forward:

The driver download page at HP Support does support Windows 11, even though it doesn’t list specific sub-versions like 24H2. HP provides universal drivers for Windows 11 that are compatible across all its updates (21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2, etc.).

So even if the dropdown doesn’t respond or show your exact version, you can safely download and install the Windows 11 driver listed there; it will work for your system.

The Driver Link you have would be good for downloading the drivers, so you can use them.

About HPPSDR (HP Print and Scan Doctor)

If HP Print and Scan Doctor reinstalled itself, it may have been triggered by Windows or HP Smart. To remove it:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program
2. Look for HP Print and Scan Doctor and uninstall it.
3. If it doesn’t show up, try deleting the folder manually:
   • Navigate to C:\Program Files\HPPSDR
   • Right-click and delete the folder (you may need admin rights)

 Next Steps

1. Download and install the full driver from the link you listed above.
2. Restart your PC after installation.
3. Try printing again; you should now have full color and wireless functionality.
4. Let me know if you want help removing HPPSDR completely or if the printer still doesn’t behave correctly.
    

 I hope this helps.
 

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[spencer99]

Hi I was having same problem, the colour option was not available and everything was coming out in black and white.

Just wanted to say that between this article and a previous archived one (https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printers-Archive-Read-Only/envy-4520-won-t-print-color/td-p/6429654) this has resolved it for me.

Will add that after the removal of the drivers and software I rebooted laptop and then did the reinstallation of the HP Smart software.

[Suus1]

Hi Spencer99,

It's very kind of you to offer to help me.

Vikram had been doing everything he could for days to do so, including through personal messages.

BUT:

1. Years ago, I managed to reinstall my printer a few times, but now I don't understand the explanation on the website anymore.
2. After I was convinced I'd deleted everything HP-related from my PC, I could still print exactly the same way. So nothing substantial had been deleted, although I couldn't find HP or Envy 4520 anywhere.
3. I have to translate all the messages back and forth with Google Translate, which is cumbersome and complicated, especially for someone unfamiliar with that technical terminology.
4. I'm a 70+  PC novice.
5. Nothing I tried worked, I always ended up back at the same screens, and I didn't know what to do there. I was going in circles.
6. Because of all this, I don't even dare try to uninstall the HP printer program anymore, because if I can't reinstall it (for example, I couldn't find any drivers or software to download), I'll have an even bigger problem.

For my own peace of mind and to avoid further frustration, I've come to terms with the fact that white/black can be done wireless, but for colors I have to use the USB cable.

Kind regards,

Suus1