Printer needs driver software installed everytime I need to print in color

[slpshelly]

We have had this printer since June, 2019 and in October 2019 it suddenly stopped printing in color. I searched the boards and found the solution was to re-install the driver software. I did that and the problem was resolved...until I had to print in color again. I don't print in color very often, but this is awful because if I want to print in color I have to re-download the driver software to get it to work again. Is there something that can get this to "stick?" You may also want to know that when I am in ANY document (there is not difference between PDF/Word or photo format) I check to see if I have the option to print in color or not in the document properties Paper/Quality tab and when the printer is working fine I can select color, when the problem arises that option does not exist. I'm fed up and if I can't get a fix that sticks and stops this cycle I will be forced to buy another printer and will never buy another HP printer again.

[Kumar0307]

Hi @slpshelly

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I understand you are not able to print in color from your Win 10 PC. I'd be happy to assist you. This seems like a compatibility issue between the printer driver and the latest Win 10 update. Let us try these steps to resolve this issue:

1. On the PC, go to Control panel > Devices and printers > Add a printer(at the top) 
2. Under 'Choose a device or printer', click on 'The printer I want isn't listed'.
3. Select 'Add a printer using a TCP/IP address'
4. Find the IP address of the printer by tapping on the wireless icon on the printer screen
5. Type in the 'IP address in Hostname or IP address' box, click next
6. Proceed to the next steps by following the on-screen instructions.
7. Try printing in color.

If the issue persists, Install the printer using Windows built-in driver

Refer to this document to know how. Try printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[slpshelly]

Thank you so much for trying to help me. I have done the steps to remove and then add the printer back in and that does work, but it hasn't stopped the problem in the past. I checked today and the printer is able to print in color after following those steps yesterday. In addition, I will also change the setting as you recommended for Windows to automatically update the printer driver. I hope that helps. I will check back over the next several days to confirm if the printer is still able to print in color without me having to reinstall it.  Again, I really appreciate the help.

[Kumar0307]

@slpshelly, thank you for the response. Glad to know that the printer is working fine now. If the issue reoccurs, kindly try the steps provided.

Keep me posted for any other assistance.