No color printing on Hp 5101 on Mac

[Tmccarter1141]

There is no color option for me to choose. I use a Mac. The printer page came out with color. Tanks are full, drivers in correctly. No option shows. I’ve tried all the easy fixes on line. Frustrated as I need this for my prek classroom and it won’t work. Help!

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Tmccarter1141,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand the urgency, especially with your prek classroom. Here are a few steps you can try to resolve the color printing issue with your HP Smart Tank 5101 on macOS 10.10 Yosemite:

Update Printer Drivers: Make sure you have the latest drivers for your printer. Go to the HP Support website and search for your printer model to download and install any available updates.

Check Printer Settings: Sometimes the printer settings may default to black and white. Open the print dialog from your application and look for options to select color printing. This is typically found in the “Print” dialog box under “Printer Features” or “Color Options.”

Check Printer Queue: Open “Printers & Scanners” in System Preferences, select your HP Smart Tank 5101, and click on “Open Print Queue.” Ensure there are no pending jobs and check the printer’s status.

Reset Printing System:

• Go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners.”
• Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list and select “Reset printing system.”
• Add the printer again and see if this resolves the issue.

Reinstall HP Smart Software: Uninstall and reinstall the HP Smart software. This can help reset any software-related issues that may be affecting color printing.

Check Ink Levels and Cartridge Alignment: Even though you mentioned the tanks are full, ensure that the cartridges are properly seated and aligned. Sometimes, a misalignment can cause color issues.

Print from Different Applications: Try printing from different applications to rule out application-specific issues. For instance, try printing from Preview or Safari.

Refer to this document:  HP Smart Tank 5101 All-in-One Printer User manual

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.