Printer Issues

[KY_Cowgirl]

I recently purchased a new Dell desktop computer and when I  re-installed my HP Envy 4520 printer it only prints in black ink.  I can print stuff from my i-pad in color to the printer.  I  have made several attempts to download updated drivers from you website but I am still not able to print in color from my desktop PC.  Also in the print dialogue box it does not give me an option to change ink colors.  Those choices don't show up anymore since I have tried to install the printer to MS11 OS.

However when my printer does the alignment print (after installing new cartridges) it will print that page in with colors.

[Samrit26]

Hello,

The color printing works from the iPad and during alignment, so the printer hardware, ink system, and cartridges are fine. What’s broken is the Windows driver mapping — Windows 11 often auto-installs a “class” or “universal” driver that lacks the full print features (color management, duplexing, etc.).

Here’s how to correct it properly for your HP ENVY 4520 on Windows 11:

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1. Remove the auto-installed driver

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.

2. Select your HP ENVY 4520 → click Remove device.

3. Open Control Panel → Programs and Features, and uninstall anything called:

   • HP Smart

   • HP Universal Print Driver

   • HP ENVY 4520 Series Software

4. Reboot the PC (this clears the print driver store).

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2. Install the full-feature HP driver package

Windows 11 often defaults to a limited “HP DeskJet/ENVY Class Driver,” which disables color management.
You must install HP’s Full Feature Software and Driver (not HP Smart).

Download directly from HP’s site:

1. Visit https://support.hp.com

2. Search for HP ENVY 4520 All-in-One Printer series.

3. Under Software, Drivers and Firmware → Windows 11 (64-bit), download:
   “HP ENVY 4520 Full Feature Software and Driver” (SoftPaq SP111812 or later).

4. Run the installer, choose USB or Wireless (whichever you use), and allow it to finish fully.

After installation, you should see “HP ENVY 4520 series (Network)” or “(USB)” — not a “Class Driver.”

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3. Verify color options

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, press Enter.

2. Right-click the HP ENVY 4520 → Printer Properties → Preferences.

3. Under Paper/Quality, verify that:

   • “Print in Grayscale” is unchecked.

   • “Color” radio button is available and selected.

4. Apply and print a color test page.

If the color/gray options are still missing, it means the wrong driver is still bound. Continue below.

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4. Force the correct driver manually (if needed)

1. Open Devices and Printers → Add printer → The printer that I want isn’t listed → Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.

2. Choose the existing port (e.g., USB001 or your printer’s IP).

3. Click Have Disk → Browse, point to the extracted folder from the full-feature driver (usually in C:\Program Files\HP\HP ENVY 4520 series\DriverStore).

4. Select HP ENVY 4520 series (not “Class”).
   This binds Windows to the full-featured color driver.

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5. Optional sanity check

Print a test page from Printer Properties → Print Test Page — it should show HP’s color logo.
Then test from Word or any app; the Color / Grayscale option should now appear.

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6. Disable Windows automatic driver replacement

To prevent Windows Update from overwriting the proper HP driver again:

• Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates, uncheck any HP printer driver entries.

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In summary

Symptom	Root Cause	Fix
Prints only black	Windows using “Class Driver”	Install full-feature driver
No “Color / Grayscale” menu	Missing HP print UI module	Use HP Full Feature package
Color prints fine from iPad	Confirms hardware OK	Focus on Windows driver stack

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After reinstalling with the full HP package, you’ll regain full color printing and options.