Printing in black and white only on MacOS

[AlyneS]

I bought a Smart Tank 581 printer but I can't print in color using MacOS Catalina 10.15, only in black and white. I can't download any software for this version of Catalina, only for the most recent ones. Any solution? Thanks.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @AlyneS,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand the issue stems from a lack of compatible printer drivers for macOS Catalina (10.15), causing the Smart Tank 581 printer to print only in black and white.
 

Here are a few steps to try to resolve this issue:

1. Check the Print Settings

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
• Select your HP Smart Tank 581 printer and click on Options & Supplies.
• Ensure that the Color option is enabled in the Options tab.
• When printing, check the print dialog for a Color setting and make sure it is selected.

2. Use AirPrint Instead of HP Drivers

macOS often supports printers via AirPrint, which can bypass the need for official HP drivers. To enable this:

• Remove the printer from your Mac (System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > - button).
• Add the printer again by clicking the + button and selecting your printer. Ensure the Use dropdown is set to AirPrint instead of the HP driver.

3. Try Using a Generic PCL Printer Driver

• You can also try using a generic PCL (Printer Command Language) driver that might work better with color printing.
• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, remove the current printer, then add it back, selecting a Generic PCL Printer driver.

4. HP Easy Start Utility for Older macOS

• While HP doesn’t offer direct support for older versions, sometimes the HP Easy Start utility can still help you set up the printer correctly.
• Download HP Easy Start here and attempt to configure the printer through this tool. Even though it might mention a newer macOS, it could work with your version.

5. Update macOS

• If possible, upgrading your macOS to a more recent version (such as Big Sur or Monterey) would give you access to updated drivers and software for better printer functionality. This may be a more comprehensive solution.

Refer to this document:  HP Smart Tank 581 All-in-One Printer User manual

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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