HP Envy 5540 will not print color

[Munchkin521]

My HP Envy 5540 will not print in color.  I've loaded new drivers, changed the ink cartridges, shut devices off and restarted.  It will only print in black and white.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Munchkin521,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I understand that you are having issues with the printer not printing color.

If your HP Envy 5540 is not printing in color despite loading new drivers, changing ink cartridges, and restarting your devices, the issue might be related to the printer settings, driver configurations, or possible hardware issues. Here are some steps to help you troubleshoot:

1. Check Printer Settings:

Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on your HP Envy 5540 and select Printing Preferences.
3. Under the Paper/Quality or Color tab, ensure that Print in Grayscale is not selected.
4. Set the option to Color or Automatic.

Mac:

1. When you print, open the print dialog box by selecting File > Print in any application.
2. In the print dialog, ensure that the Color Options or Quality section is set to Color instead of Black & White or Grayscale.

2. Check the Application’s Print Settings:

• Sometimes, the application you are printing from might be set to print in grayscale or black and white. Ensure that the print settings within the application are set to color.

3. Run a Printer Diagnostic Report:

• On the printer's control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Print Quality Report. This report will show whether the printer is able to print in color.

4. Clean Printheads:

• If the color ink cartridges are new but not printing, the printheads might be clogged. You can run a printhead cleaning cycle from the printer's maintenance settings.
• On the printer's control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Clean Printhead.

5. Reinstall the Printer Driver:

• If the issue persists after trying the above steps, uninstall the printer driver and then reinstall it.
• After uninstalling the driver, go to the HP website and download the latest drivers for your HP Envy 5540.

Please find the remaining steps in the next post. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Munchkin521,

Please find the remaining steps below. 

6. Check Ink Cartridges:

• Ensure that the color ink cartridge is correctly installed and that it is not low on ink. Sometimes even new cartridges can be faulty.
• Try using another color cartridge if available to see if that resolves the issue.

7. Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait for about 60 seconds. Then, plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes resolve issues related to settings or temporary software glitches.

8. Check for Firmware Updates:

• Ensure your printer's firmware is up to date. Sometimes, outdated firmware can cause issues with printing in color.
• Click here

9. Test from Another Device:

• If possible, try printing in color from another device (e.g., another computer, smartphone, or tablet) to determine if the issue is specific to one device or if it’s a printer-wide problem.

You may also refer to this document for further assistance. 

If none of these steps work, there could be a hardware issue with the color printhead or the printer itself. In that case, contacting HP phone support for further assistance or considering repair might be necessary.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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