ENVY 4520 will not print color; no grayscale option

[nene10gal]

HP Envy 4520 will no longer print color

6 weeks ago I was running out of color and since I wouldn't be using the printer for a while I changed it to print in grayscale.  Six weeks later the grayscale option is gone.  I've replaced both ink cartridges. Test pages and scans will print in color.  Nothing from the laptop will print in color.  I've tried everything I've seen online several times and nothing solves the issue:

Removed printer from devices and added back in; booted

Reconnected printer to WiFi

uninstalled printer driver; booted

installed latest printer driver from HP; booted

The grayscale option is still not present in printer preferences.

HELP!

[TEJ1602]

@nene10gal, Welcome to HP Support Community!

This looks like an issue with the installed drivers. Let us try to isolate and resolve the issue.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor and run the program. It will automatically diagnose and fix any printer connectivity issues. 

For more information, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates. Refer to the document HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Check the printing preferences on the PC before sending the print job. Refer to the document HP Printers - Print Driver Settings Guide (Windows)  for help.

I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!

[nene10gal]

I've tried everything you posted.  Even the test print from the Print Doctor printed in grayscale.  I can copy in color, just not print.

One thing I have not tried is to go to the Printer's Network Setup and Restore Network Settings.  Should I try that?

[TEJ1602 · Accepted solution]

@nene10gal

Thanks for replying!

Yes, you can try that and also try connecting the printer via USB and print.

Keep me posted for further assistance.

Please click “Accepted 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!

[nene10gal]

Restoring the factory setting on the printer did not solve the issue.

When I connected a USB cable it resulted in another printer being installed called "HP ENVY 4520 series" and that one has Color show up in printing preferences and will now print in color.  The printer that was added in settings via discovery over WiFi is called "HPEF0459 (HP ENVY 4520 series)" and will no longer print in color.  I made "HP ENVY 4520 series" my default printer. 

Note that I can print in color from my iPhone using HP Smart via WiFi because it uses the default printer that was installed when I connected the USB cable.

So the bottom line is that I can no longer print color using the printer that shows up when you add the printer that is discovered via WiFi.  This is the first time I've connected a cable to the printer since I purchased it in December 2017.

I appreciate your help so that I can print in color.  I'm still open for other suggestions to be able to print via the printer that is added via discovery over a WiFi connection.

[TEJ1602]

@nene10gal

Thanks for replying!

Try adding a TCP/IP port to the printer-

1. Print a Network Configuration Report from the Printer Settings or Wireless menu.
2. Right-click your printer, select Printer Properties, click the Ports tab and then click Add Port.
3. Select Standard TCP/IP Port, and then click New Port.
4. Follow the instructions to add a new port using the information listed on the Network Configuration Report.
5. Try printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted 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!

[nene10gal]

If I added the TCP/IP port correctly, there is still no Color option that shows up in printing preferences.  I will just print using a cable connection.  It won't be that big of a deal at home since the laptop and printer are close enough together.  It's just perplexing.

I appreciate your replies.  Thank you.

[TEJ1602]

@nene10gal

I appreciate your efforts. I Will check on this and if there is any other workaround or solution, I will keep you posted.

Cheers 🙂

[Fenn1]

I would appreciate you looking into this as well...I have tried all the things suggested, except the USB connection, which I will do as a last resort.  My printer test page from the printer itself prints color so I know it works. 

[TEJ1602]

@nene10gal & @Fenn1

Thanks for waiting.

Try adding a new user account and install the printer-

1. Tap the Windows icon.

2. Select Settings.

3. Tap Accounts.

4. Select Family & other users.

5. Tap "Add someone else to this PC."

6. Select "I don't have this person's sign-in information."

7. Select "Add a user without a Microsoft account."

8. Enter a username, type the account's password twice, enter a clue and select Next.

9. Tap the Windows icon.

10. Select the User icon at the upper left corner of the Start menu.

11. Select the new user. You'll then sign in to your account with your password from step 8.

Use this link to download and install the new driver. Configure the printer and try printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted 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!