printer prints in purple

[BRAIN2]

The printer is printing in purple.  I would download the software and it would print in black, but when I cam back, it would print in purple again. 

The Test page will print in black. 

Now the pages are blank, as the color cartridge in empty.

[Jay_G24]

Hi @BRAIN2,

I'd like to help!

To better assist you - 

1) Does the copy print out the same way? 

2) What's the application you are trying to print from? Have you tried printing from a different application or devices? 

Please replace the cartridge and then try the below steps-

Print in black and white

Change the print settings to print black and white documents and photos. Available print settings and menu locations vary by printer model, driver type, and the app you are printing from.

1. Open the document or photo you want to print, click File, click Print, and then click Show Details, if necessary.

2. Select Black & White on the main dialog. The Presets menu also includes black and white options.

   

3. To use less black ink, click Media & Quality in the unnamed print options menu at the center of the dialog, and then move the Quality slider to Draft.

4. Click Print.

5. To create a new preset based on the selected print settings, click the Presets menu, and then select Save Current Settings as Preset.

Also, refer to Print Settings Guide (Mac)

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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

[BRAIN2]

I have a Mac OS X 10 6 8 and a HP Photosmart C4280.  The only time it will print in black is when I go into HP utility and print a test page.  (This bypasses the driver).   I have reloaded the driver 3 times.   Once it helped the same day I loaded it, but the next time I went to print, it printed in purple again.  

The Fast Draft option under printer options also quit working. 

[Jay_G24]

Try the below suggestions

Add the AirPrint printer to the Mac printer queue

Confirm you are using AirPrint by adding the printer in System Preferences.

1. Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

   Figure : Example of the Printers & Scanners window

   

2. Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, and then do one of the following steps.

   • If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to confirm it is set up for AirPrint. Click the printer name, click the minus sign  to delete the printer, click the plus sign , click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then continue to the next step.

   • If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer, and then continue to the next step.

   • If your printer is not listed in the Add Printer or Scanner window, go to the Frequently asked questions in this document to resolve connection issues, try to add the printer again, and then continue to the next step.

3. Confirm AirPrint or Secure AirPrint displays in the Use or Print Using menu, and then click Add.

   Figure : AirPrint displays in the Use menu

   

4. Open a document or photo, click File, and then click Print.

Let me know!

[BRAIN2]

Success.   I printed a scan in fast Draft, black and white and it worked..  Thanks for your help.

[BRAIN2]

Well, the scan printed fine,but a web page printed in Purple. 

I get a message in "Incompatible Components" and to reload the right software, which I have done 3 times now.

[Jay_G24]

Which browser are you printing from?

Have you tried printing from another browser?

Do you have other printers on the printer and scanners list?

[BRAIN2]

There are no other printers or scanners on the list.

I used a different browser, and it printed partly in black and partly in purple.

Two years ago it worked great.  Is there any old software around that I could load?

[BRAIN2]

I was using Firefox, but this time I used Chrome.

[Jay_G24]

Try updating mac and printer firmware:-

To update Mac, try these steps - How to update the software on your Mac

Also, try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Let me know how this goes!