My HP printer prints all dark & same with a scan, however a color copy comes out ok.

[Isd52]

I have an HP Officejet Pro 8600 printer. all of a sudden yesterday, my printer prints all dark  when making a copy& same with a scan, however a color copy comes out ok. 

[Raj_05]

Hi @Isd52,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

The issue you're experiencing with your HP Officejet Pro 8600 printer printing and scanning all dark while color copies come out fine could be due to a few possible reasons.

1. Driver or Software Issue: The printer driver or software on your computer might be corrupted or outdated.
2. Firmware Issue: The printer's firmware might need an update.
3. Settings Issue: The settings for black and white prints/scans might be incorrect.
4. Print Head Issue: There could be an issue with the black print head or ink cartridge.

Here are some steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

Update Printer Drivers:

• Go to the HP Support website and download the latest drivers for your HP Officejet Pro 8600.
• Install the updated drivers and restart your computer.

Update Printer Firmware:

• Check for firmware updates on the HP Support website.
• Follow the instructions to update your printer's firmware.

Check Print Settings:

• On your computer, go to the printer settings and ensure that the settings for black and white printing/scanning are correct.
• Make sure that the brightness and contrast settings are set to normal levels.

Run a Printer Diagnostic:

• Use the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool to diagnose and fix common printer issues. You can download it from the HP Support website.

Check Ink Cartridges:

• Ensure that the black ink cartridge is properly installed and has enough ink.
• Try cleaning the print head using the printer's maintenance tools.

Reset the Printer:

• Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
• Wait for about a minute, then plug it back in and turn it on.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support