HP OfficeJet 3830 will not print in color all of a sudden

[Betty0610]

@JLinMD

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Let's try to do a root uninstall and reinstall of the software:

Unplug any USB cable, if any, before doing this.

1.) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features

2.) Select your HP Printer

3.) Select Uninstall

4.) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers

5.) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose 'Delete' or 'Remove Device'

6.) Open up the run command with the "Windows key + R" key combo.

7.) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”)

8.) Click on the "Drivers" tab

9.) Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom

10.) Select Ok

11.) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows

12.) Close Devices and Printers

13.) Open up the run command with the "Windows key + R" key combo

14.) Type c:/programdata and click Ok. Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.

15.) Restart the computer.

Once done, please download and install the software from here:

https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers

Let me know if this helps.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Thanks!

Have a great day!

[JLinMD]

I tried using these 15 steps and it did not correct the problem. I did find a solution elsewhere in this forum from Kumar as listed below.

This seems like an issue with the printer driver. Let us try these steps:

1. On the PC, go to Control panel > Devices and printers > Add a printer(at the top) 
2. Under 'Choose a device or printer', click on 'The printer I want isn't listed'.
3. Select 'Add a printer using a TCP/IP address'
4. Find the IP address of the printer by tapping on the wireless icon on the printer screen
5. Type in the 'IP address in Hostname or IP address' box, click next
6. Proceed to the next steps by following the on-screen instructions.
7. Try printing in color.

If the issue persists, Install the printer using Windows built-in driver

Refer to this document to know how. Try printing.

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!

Have a great day! 

KUMAR0307
I am an HP Employee

[Betty0610]

I'm glad to hear that. Do get back to us in the future for further assistance.

Have a nice day!:)

[twong22]

THANK YOU @JLinMD! I have been trying to fix this problem and this is the only solution that worked!

[CHARM476]

THANK YOU, JEFFREY!!!!!

[technonurse]

Windows 10

[Ed0123]

This procedure sort of works. I tried this procedure exactly as written 3 times, and it did not work. Then I did this procedure on 2 different computers, but with the added steps of clearing out the c:\users\udername\AppData\Local\HP folder too and also removing the HPSmart App under "Apps and Features". Then , I did NOT reinstall the HP provided printer drivers. Instead, I just used the "Add Printer" function within Windows 10. Once I did that, the "B&W or Color" selection appeared once again. Another user mentioned this solution too, so the core issue seems to me that the HP Smart App selection to allow or not allow color printing seemed to completely remove the ability to print color. I mean it literally completely stripped the option from the printing preferences menu under the Paper/Quality tab. I have a Win7 laptop and this wasn't an issue at all using the regular HP provided driver, so it's either an issue with the W10 driver or with the Win10 HP Smart App or both.

[k6dgw]

I've gotten it to print a color page once after a reinstall, however then it quit again.  Our desktop is an HP and is the one stuck in monochrome.  Two other laptops are Acers Win 10 and work fine.  ??

[JeffreyCox]

Yeah; it's fickle for sure.  I've seen my Windows 10 computer quit printing color.  My original post still (most of the time) fixes it.  (sometimes I have to uninstall/reinstall a couple of times).

[AG3347]

I have tried the indicated uninstall/install solution and after doing it, I get to print a few documents in color. Then, after a few days, it reverts to B/W.  Any idea why the solution does not "stick"?  Has the real problem been identified?  Windows 10? Windows 10 printer driver?  HP driver? HP Smart?   Why is this problem still happening?  Does HP have plans to fix it? It is wasting lots of paper, my time, and degrading my previous happiness with HP printer support.