HP 8600 B&W *copies* very faint but printing color/monochrome are fine

[jhg_1]

My Officejet PRO 8600 is exhibiting very strange behavior.

When I COPY a page in Black&White mode, the page is very faint.  (Before you say this is a problem with the ink, read on)

However if I copy the same page in Color mode, it copies fine.  Also, printing in either Color or B&W mode from a computer produces perfectly normal (non-faint) results. 

As a test I printed a test page, which came out looking normal.  I then COPIED that page on the printer in Color mode.  The copy was nearly indistinguishable from the original.  Finally I made another copy of the same test page in B&W mode, and this copy was nearly unreadable.

Whatever is wrong, it is affecting only the COPY function, and only in B&W mode.  I thought maybe there was a problem with the copy illumination, but the copy function works fine in color mode, it fails only in B&W mode.  This also eliminates the ink system as a cause since the printer works fine in all modes except B&W COPY.

Suggestions?

Here are color scans of the pages that demonstrate the problem

Original Test PageCopy in Color ModeCopy in B&W Mode

[TEJ1602]

@jhg_1, Welcome to HP Support Community!

For now, let us try updating 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

If the issue persists, we can try a complete reset on the printer.

Keep me posted for further assistance.

[jhg_1]

The firmware version is CKP1CN1829AR, which is the current version.

I tried running the firmware update anyway, and it says the firmware is up to date.

[TEJ1602]

@jhg_1

As we've reached the end of the line, please reach out to the HP Support in your region for further course of action.

Hope this helps!

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!

[jhg_1]

You mentioned doing a full reset on the printer... how do I do this?

[TEJ1602]

@jhg_1

The reset instructions are specific for your printer and performing those steps on a different printer may brick the device. 

I've sent you a private message with reset instructions, follow the reset instruction to perform a full reset and re-initialize the printer. 

In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

Hope this helps!

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!