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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- Installed new HP Smart Tank 7301 Printer

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
09-25-2023 11:01 PM
Hi @Ripper43,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
If your new HP Smart Tank 7301 Printer is not printing in color, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem.
Check Ink Levels:
- Make sure that the color ink cartridges in your printer have enough ink. If they are low or empty, replace them with new cartridges.
Print Settings:
- Verify that you have selected color printing in the print settings. When you go to print a document, make sure you have chosen "Color" or "Auto" as the print mode, and not "Grayscale" or "Black and White."
Printer Driver:
- Ensure that you have the correct and up-to-date printer driver installed on your computer. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted drivers can cause printing issues. Visit the HP website to download the latest driver for your printer model and operating system.
Printer Software:
- Install the HP Smart software or app on your computer or mobile device. This software often provides more advanced print settings and may help you diagnose and resolve color printing problems.
Test Print:
- Print a test page directly from your printer. Most printers have a test page or diagnostic function that you can access from the printer's control panel. Refer to your printer's user manual for instructions on how to do this.
Paper Type:
- Make sure you are using the appropriate type of paper for color printing. Some printers may not print in color on certain types of paper, so check the paper specifications in your printer's manual.
Clean Printheads:
- Over time, printheads can become clogged, which can affect color printing quality. Most HP printers have a cleaning utility in the printer software that you can use to clean the printheads.
Check Color Cartridge Installation:
- Double-check that the color ink cartridges are correctly installed in their respective slots. Ensure they are securely seated and that any protective tape or covers have been removed.
Restart Printer and Computer:
- Sometimes, a simple reboot of both your printer and computer can resolve printing issues. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, wait for a minute, and then plug it back in. Restart your computer as well.
Firmware Update:
- Check if there is a firmware update available for your printer on the HP website. Updating the printer's firmware can sometimes address printing problems.
If you have tried these troubleshooting steps and are still unable to print in color, it's possible that there may be a hardware issue with the printer.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
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!
Alden4
HP Support
HP Support Community Moderator