HP3831 won't print colour

[Rob241]

Hi, I recently purchased HP deskjet 3831 printer , it prints colour on test pages and all updates have been done , but it will not print in colour from my PC. Can you please advise ? The colour option is showing on the screen when I print and preview is always in colour but everytime just prints in black and white.

[Rob241]

It seems that the printer is set by default to only print in "monochrome" whenever I try to change the settings to colour it says their is a conflict and reverts to monochrome! Can someone please help ?

[A4Apollo]

Hi! @Rob241, Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues, with help from the community!

I understand you have issues printing in color from your printer.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any changes to your printer?

Have you tried printing from a different application? Does the issue persist?

Does the issue persist when you make a copy from your printer?

Have you tried checking with a different ink cartridge?

Try replacing the low or empty ink cartridges on your printer.

Please try few steps recommended below.

Clean the ink cartridges

Use an automatic tool to clean the ink cartridges from the printer control panel, then evaluate the results.
   NOTE:
To avoid issues that require cleaning, always turn the printer off with the Power button.
Make sure to load the input tray with plain, white paper.
On the printer control panel, swipe the display to the left, then touch Setup.
Touch Tools, then touch Clean Cartridges.

Examine the print quality on the Print Quality Diagnostic report.
If the print quality is acceptable, click No. You can stop troubleshooting.
If the print quality is unacceptable, click Yes when prompted to perform the next level of cleaning.
   NOTE:
If the printhead is badly clogged, it might require another cleaning cycle. If so, wait 30 minutes before you perform both levels of cleaning again.

If the issue still persists uninstall the printer software on your PC and install the full feature printer software on your PC.

In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.

Select your HP printer.

Select Uninstall.

In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.

In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”

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

Type printui.exe /s and click OK.

Click on Drivers tab.

Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click remove at the bottom.

Select OK.

Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.

Close Devices and Printers.

Update the full feature printer software using this link: https://hp.care/2ItJuDj

Refer this article to further troubleshoot print quality issues with your printer. Link: https://hp.care/2fGAmOW

If the solution provided worked for you, please mark accepted solution for this post.

Let me know if this works!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

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!

[Rob241]

Hi Mr Robot , thank you for your reply, I am run scan doctor and this does not seem to show up any faults , if ity is a faulty printer cartridge this means I have tio buy another to check , but maybe niot the problem . I recently had a problem with HP2630 and it had a printing problem , and each time I uninstalled an re-ionstalled it created a new problem hence the reaon i ended up returning to the retailer and buying this printer . So i am a bit reluctant to uninstall if it means it causes additional problems ? So basicaly i have had 2 HP printers in as many months and both have had problems from the start , not a very good record is it ?

I have tried printing directly from the PC and also saving a document and then printing , both show up ok in the preview and the colour option is showing but always prints in B/W.

I have checked the printing preferences and again all seems ok.

I will run the clean cartridges option and then uninstall tomorrow and let you know if this helps. Thank you for your time.

[Rob241]

---

@Rob241 wrote:

Hi Mr Robot , thank you for your reply, I am run scan doctor and this does not seem to show up any faults , if ity is a faulty printer cartridge this means I have tio buy another to check , but maybe niot the problem . I recently had a problem with HP2630 and it had a printing problem , and each time I uninstalled an re-ionstalled it created a new problem hence the reaon i ended up returning to the retailer and buying this printer . So i am a bit reluctant to uninstall if it means it causes additional problems ? So basicaly i have had 2 HP printers in as many months and both have had problems from the start , not a very good record is it ?

I have tried printing directly from the PC and also saving a document and then printing , both show up ok in the preview and the colour option is showing but always prints in B/W.

I have checked the printing preferences and again all seems ok.

I will run the clean cartridges option and then uninstall tomorrow and let you know if this helps. Thank you for your time.

---

Below is the test page after cleaning the cartridges , all seems ok , but still won't print colour ?

[A4Apollo · Accepted solution]

@Rob241, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts for trying out the steps.

Have you tried printing using a different application? Does the issue persist?

As you mentioned you are able to print a test page with colors.

It certainly looks to be a driver issue, I would suggest you please uninstall the drivers from root level and install the drivers from my previous thread.

Also, if the issue persists after installing the printer drivers, I suggest you uninstall the printer software and install basic printer drivers.

Update the printer basic drivers using this link: https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/COL61242/mp-147828-1/OJ3830_Basicx64_1119.exe

If the issue still persists after trying out the steps try creating a new user account and install the printer software.

Please mark my post as accepted solution if you feel I have answered your query.

Let me know if this helps!

Take Care! 🙂

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!

[Rob241]

Hi Mr Robot , I have uninstalled and re-installed and the coliour now works, thank you for your help

[A4Apollo]

Hi @Rob241! You're welcome and thanks for your prompt response.

I am happy to hear that your issue got resolved after reinstalling the drivers as suggested.

If you have any queries in future related to any HP products, you can always reach out to us.

We will try our best to help you out.

Take care,

Have a great day! 🙂

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!