OfficeJet Pro 7740 - Color-Print option missing

[jhmntx]

So, third time I've had this problem, on two different devices (different Systems, different 7740's all three times): After reinstalling the newest HP Printer Driver after the Driver broke due to unnokwn reasons, the Color Print option simply went missing. Printing in Color is possible when printing a Diagnostics-Page, or when making a copy directly from the printer. If I check the "Function" Tab over the printer-settings, any Color/Grayscale Options seem to be missing.

What I've tried already:

- Updating the printer Firmware to the newest version

- Installing all Windows Updates

- Deleting all previous software (Appwiz, Registry, Drivers. Print-Server) then reinstalling the driver

- Installing the Driver over HP Easy Start, HP Smart and installing the basic Driver directly

- Running HP P/S Doctor, finds nothing wrong, Diagnostic Page prints in color

- Changing the printer-Port to the specific IP Address, printer installs over the WSD-Port usually

- Using an HP Universal Print driver: Barely worked at all

I'm sure I can find some sort of workaround, but installing the printer cleanly would be much preferred. So, thanks for any help in advance!

[jhmntx]

Workaround for anyone searching for a temporary solution:

- Figure out the Printer's IP Address, either by IP Scan or reading it out from the printer directly

- Try adding a new Printer over Windows Settings, then choose "Add a printer manually"

- Choose "Add a local or Network-Printer", add a new TCP/IP Port at the Printer's IP address

- Extract either the Basic Driver or the full HP Easy Start Driver Package

- At the Driver Select Window, choose a driver from the local disk. Navigate to the extracted folder, and choose any visible driver file

- Select the shown HP Driver (Not PCL3), finish the Installation

--> After this, the color-print option will reappear. Printing in Color is possbile again.

 To use other Printer Features, I recommend using HP Smart. The printer will be already installed, Scanning and Monitoring of the Device works over the Software without any problems.

Using the older HP Software is unfortunatly impossible with this method, due to the Program wanting to install the (not working) Driver at every launch.

In addition to all that, I recommend blocking the Printer-Driver from updating over Windows Update, by reading out the Hardware-ID over the Device Manager, and then blocking it over group policy. (Only possible with Windows Pro) 

[Bill_Boquet]

Have a look at :

OfficeJet 3830 Color option missing from printer preferences - HP Support Community - 8264615

The workaround could also work for your specific HP printer. If it is the case, thanks to give feedback.