Printer prints margin of page in solid black colour

[Li_Brisbane]

When I print a document, the white space of the document is often printed in solid black colour which is unsightly and also wastes a lot of ink. What can I do to change it to normal white colour like the blank space in the original document is?

Operating system is MacOS 14.5

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Li_Brisbane 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your printer is printing a solid black margin instead of leaving the space white, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issue:

1. Check Print Settings

• When printing, check the print settings:
  • Open the print dialog from your application (like Word or Preview).
  • Look for options like Print in Grayscale or Black & White. Make sure these are unchecked.

2. Review Document Formatting

• Ensure that there are no background colors or images set in your document that might be printing as solid black.
• If you’re using software like Microsoft Word, check under Design > Page Color to see if a color is applied.

3. Update Printer Drivers

• Ensure your printer drivers are up to date:
  • Go to the HP Support website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.

4. Perform a Print Quality Check

• Use the printer’s built-in maintenance tools to run a print quality check or cleaning cycle. This can often resolve issues related to poor print quality.

5. Check for Software Updates

• Make sure your macOS is up to date. Go to System Preferences > Software Update to check for any available updates.

6. Test with a Different Application

• Try printing from a different application to see if the issue persists. This can help determine if it’s an issue with the specific software you’re using.

7. Reset Printing System

• If the issue continues, you can reset the printing system:
  1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list and select Reset Printing System.
  3. Re-add your printer and test again.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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

Rachel571

HP Support