New HP 5746 Will Not Print Color

[RDEdge]

Helped neighbor install new Officejet 5746.

Set up OK, cartridges accepted. Download latest BASIC driver set, not the full apps set, from HP. Installed. Recognized printer. Set as default.

Note that during setup, printer kicked out test page, which had black and blue color, indicating color cartridge is working. But first Win 7 test page, Win logo upper left was black and white.

Tried printing the home Google page with color graphic to test. That popped a printer dialog that looks like Chrome dialog, not standard Win print dialog. Checked option to print in color. Printed only black and white.

Have looked thru the Windows printer properties on every screen and tab, can find no reference to printing black and white vs color. There is a color tab, but it only references the computer monitor, not the printer.(??)

Why is this printer not printing color? Surely the basic driver set includes ability to print color?

[Rainbow23]

@RDEdge,

Welcome to HP Forums, this is a great place to get support, find answers and tips.

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you.

I understand that you are unable to print in color from your HP OfficeJet 5746 e-All-in-One Printer.

This issue could occur if the print in grayscale option is selected in the drivers.

Let's go through a few steps to resolve this issue.

And here's the step by step guide for you listed below to deselect the grayscale printing option:

1. In your software application, click Print.
2. Select your printer from the list of available printers.
3. Click the option that opens the Printer Properties dialog box.
Depending on your software application, this button might be called Properties, Options, Printer Setup, Printer Properties, Printer, or Preferences.
4. On the properties window, click the Paper/Quality or Features tab, depending on your software.
To print using only the black ink cartridge, change one of the following settings depending on what displays.
5. Click Advanced, and check if print in grayscale is selected. If yes then deselect it and click on apply and ok.

You may also check the link for your reference: http://hp.care/2jenBuD

Let me know how this works.
 

You have a good day ahead.

[RDEdge]

I reviewed the Windows printer driver dialogs that appeared after installation of the latest BASIC DRIVER SET for the 5740 family printers, which I had downloaded and installed form HP during setup of the printer for my friend.

Drivers were downloaded from here, and appear to be the latest available versions. OS Win 7 x64.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Officejet-5700-e-All-in-One-Printer-series/661725...

There was NO OPTION TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BLACK & WHITE VS COLOR offered with the basic driver set download.

I downloaded and installed the full driver plus apps (also known as bloatware) set from the same HP support / download page I had downloaded the basic drivers install from.

After install and a reboot for good measure, we tried to print a document again, and lo and behold, now on the appropriate tab in the Windows driver dialogs for settings / preferences, THE OPTION TO CHOOSED BETWEEN BLACK & WHITE AND COLOR had miraculously appeared.

I am retired from a 35 year career in programming and computer support. I am still trying to figure how HP can issue a basic driver set that does NOT include the ability to print color on the printer is purports to support. I assure you, the option was NOT there with the basic drivers only option download installed.

[Rainbow23]

@RDEdge,

I am happy to know that the issue has resolved after downloading and installing the latest drivers.

I also appreciate your time and patience.

Feel free to ask your queries as this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.

It was a pleasure assisting you. You have a good day ahead.