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

[Ed0123]

When you say it reverts back, you mean that the B&W or Color selection in printing preferences disappears agai ? Did you try my uninstall and only partial reinstall procedures or did you reinstall everything including the likely culprit which is the HP Smart App.

[k6dgw]

This is ridiculous!  This has been reported and talked about here for at least 6 months, probably longer.  It's still doing it on 23 Apr 2020.  We have three computers ... an HP desktop with Windows 10 Pro, and two Acer laptops with Windows 10 Home.  The laptops print fine in color.  The desktop will one time after a total [and very time consuming re-install].  Thereafter, it is monochrome [Black] only.  The only difference is the Windows 10 Home vs Windows 10 Pro.  We'll probably replace the printer, guaranteed this will be the last HP product we buy.

[AG3347]

The Color selection disappears.  I have tried most, if not all, of the suggested solutions in the forum.  There are MANY! Do you work for HP?  If so, can you please tell the forum if this is a "known" problem?  What causes the problem? Why do we get success printing one or more documents and then it reverts?  Does HP know exactly the correct solution that will fix the problem completely? If they do, can a software download be provided to fix it?  If HP has not diagnosed the problem and found a solution, it seems the HP OfficeJet 3830 is not supported by Windows 10 64-bit with the currently available drivers and HP Smart.   If that is the case, is HP willing to replace the HP OfficeJet 3830 with a printer that will work?

[Ed0123]

I'm not with HP but I'm pretty sure the issues is related to the HP Smart app overriding the normal print driver. Delete  all HP stuff then just let Windows add printer do it for you. That worked for me on Windows 10 Pro on 2 HP laptops and on Windows 10 Home on a fresh image of a Dell.

[Leahslion]

I never had this problem.  I have uninstalled and reinstalled over 50 times in the last two weeks. Unfortunately this issue started with Edge and has cost me pages in my hpink and I had to outsource my fathernlaws obit

What is the permanent fix for this?

[Ebony5]

I am beyond frustrated with this!

[praveen196]

@Ebony5 Welcome to HP Community!

I understand that you are unable to print in color.

Do not worry. I will try to fix the issue.

Please let us know if you are able to make the color photocopy without any issue.

Please perform the Clean reinstallation of Pre-installed HP drivers

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, restart the computer. 

Click here to download the HP Full-featured driver.

Once downloaded, make sure to run the file to start the installation and follow the on-screen instructions.

Please refer to the following link to troubleshoot the issue.

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[k6dgw]

Yes, the printer copies in color.  We have 3 computers.  The problem occurs only on the Win10Pro machine.  After printer install, it prints in color once.  Thereafter, only monochrom.  The other two computers are Win10Home.  They work however one produces a smear across the page.  It is the same exact smear every time.  I have changed ink cartridges.  I have done your re-install steps [multiple times] with no change in behavior.  I have run Print and Scan Doctor multiple times with no change in behavior.  HP HAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE!!  This problem is all over this HP Community site and has been for at least 10-12 months.

I will use up the ink we have for it, trash the printer, get everything "HP" off of all computers, and buy something else

[kenxfromjapan]

Hi!

Please try this:

Microsoft TechNet Windows 10 apps don't print in color to a color printer by default https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/59896d75-3042-446c-bde0-43d9cf86ce2d/windows-10-ap...

Go to Control Panel>Devices and Printers

　>Right Click on your printer

　　>Go to Printer Properties>Advanced Tab

Change the driver to any other one>Click on Apply

Immediately change the driver back to the original one>Click on Apply

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or Please try this:

HP ENVY 5540 won't print in color

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Inkjet-Printing/HP-ENVY-5540-won-t-print-in-color/m-p/7383497#M841148

Posted On 01-19-2020 07:47 AM　by Asmita6658

Please try adding the printer using an IP address -

1. Select "Start" and type "printers" in the search box.

2. Choose "Printers & scanners".

3. Select "Add a printer or scanner".

4. Wait for the "The printer that I want isn't listed" option to appear, then select it.

5. Select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname" , then select "Next".

6. Select "TCP/IP Device" in the "Device type" list.

7. Type the hostname or the IP address of the printer. Select "Next".

　　To find the IP address of the printer, touch the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's control panel.

8. Windows should find the printer if the printer is on and configured correctly.

You may have to specify more information.

If prompted, Select the type of network adapter installed in the printer in the "Device Type" drop-down list.

You can also click "Custom" to specify custom settings for the network printer. Select "Next".

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I just joined this forum five days ago.
I was supprised at seeign so many people having the same trouble with you.

This solution fixed the same problem twice.

Mr. Shlomi says the new version of HP Print and Scan Doctor also can fix this automatically.
http://ftp.hp.com/pub/printers/hppsdr/patches/HPPSdr.exe

I have never tried this one by myself.

kenxfromjapan

[JustDuane]

This worked for me: 

1. Click Start menu, locate HP Smart application and Uninstall it

2. From Search, navigate to Control Panel/Devices and Printers and uninstall the 3800 series printer (Mine showed HP5250AC).

3. Go back to search, navigate to Printers and Scanners and select "Add a printer or scanner" 

4. After the computer finishes scanning, select "The printer that I want isn't listed."

5. When "Find printer by other options" opens, select "Add a printer by using TCP/IP address."

6. Enter your printer's IP address (found by clicking the WiFi icon on the printer's home screen).

7. From here, make sure Windows uses its own 3800 series driver.

8. Give the printer a name and location, and you're done.

Now, when I print from Word, the Paper Quality tab shows the Color/Black & White options!!!

And I'm printing in color. Finally.

I really hope this works for you. I've been picking away at this for a couple days now, so I know your pain...