HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw won't print in color.

[plaguebearer]

Using Windows 10, latest software fullpack, HP Smart, wireless connected
Home setting. I originally set up the printer three years ago.

Symptoms:
Trying to print a 4x4 inch 300dpi color jpg, throws out a Misprint error event code 21.00.00

Reducing the size and resolution allows printing, but only in black and white

Other images and simple colored Paint doodles also come out in black and white

When trying to do a color copy it shows me an "access is denied " dialog telling me that "you don't have permission to use this feature. For more information, contact the printer administrator or technical support"

Everyday black printing and scanning features seem fine. I never use the fax.

What I have tried:

1. Check that the print in grayscale is disabled both at print time and in the general preferences.
2. Pressing ok at the misprint error.
3. Restarting the printer.
4. Checking the toner levels with HP Smart. It estimates that the color cartridges are about half-full. Black seems pretty low.
5. Unplugging the printer and replugging it.
6. Running the HP print and scan doctor. Everything gets green checks. The first test print also results in a misprint. The following internal test page doesn't print at all. The tool concludes that "your printer appears to have a serious issue."
7. Printing the regular test page from its Windows 10 properties window. Black-and-white printout.
8. Searching online for the event code. No useful results.
9. Reinstalling the latest fullpack.
10. Calling technical support. The representative can't help me because the machine is out of warranty. She doesn't know how I can contact a technician for my area (Mexico). Suggests going to the forums.
11. Printing colored doodles from another Windows 10 computer. Also results in black-and-white printouts.

I'd like to have my full color capabilities.

[Repairatrooper]

Check to ensure that the driver knows that the printer has color capability.

ON the computer go to control panel>devices and printers and then right click on the icon for your printer and select printer properties from the drop down menu. The click on the device settings tab and scroll down the options there until you see device type and change it to "color"

[plaguebearer]

Hi, I couldn't find the device type setting. Though a roundabout way I found:

As an update:

Printing a colored pdf also failed. Managed to get it printed + a color test printing through an ios device using an installed HP Smart app.

My guess so far is that a Windows update messed part of the printing functionalities

[Repairatrooper]

On Windows based machines I always recommend the HP Universal Printer driver as I see fewer issues at client sites with that driver. 

[plaguebearer]

Hi, 

I installed the HP Universal Printer driver. Regular printing seems restored: no misprint error messages so far. However the lack of color is still present (made sure that greyscale was disabled).

[Repairatrooper]

Rather than using the Microsoft app.  On your PC, open control panel>devices and printers and then right click on the icon for your printer and select the "device settings tab" and see if the options are different.

[plaguebearer]

Same options as before going through "devices and printers" on both printer icons as shown on the screencaps above.