Photosmart C4640 won't print color any longer

[nininger]

I have an HP Envy laptop for a few years now. It has Windows 10 and has worked very well with my Photosmart C4640 printer. All of a sudden, it no longer prints in color when it did previously. I put in new cartridges and the test seemed to be in color but not good color. Nothing prints in color---just sort of gray or black---photos or any printed item. I have checked all the settings for the printer many times. How do I get it to print color again?

[Betty0610]

@nininger

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Are you able to copy in color? 

1. Load Letter or A4, unused, plain white paper into the input tray.

2. Touch the lower left corner of the control panel four times until Support Menu displays on the control panel, and then touch OK.

   NOTE: 

   The OK button becomes visible when you access the Support Menu

3. Touch the menu button next to Support in the upper-right corner of the control panel () until Reports Menu displays, and then touch OK.

4. Touch the button in the upper-right corner of the control panel () until PQ Diagnostic report displays, and then touch OK. The print quality diagnostic report prints.

Let me know if you see color on this report.

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!

[nininger]

I ran the test as you suggested. That DID result in a color printing. I did NOT do the rest of the steps yet as I feel you might have more to say as a result of the color print. It would appear that if the test printed color, then my printer should do it all the time as well---right? It doesn't so what's next?

[Betty0610 · Accepted solution]

Please perform the root uninstall and reinstall as well and let me know if you were able to print in color.

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

Thanks!

[nininger]

I did the uninstall per the instructions you gave me. I now have color printing once again. Thank you very much for the help.

[Betty0610]

I'm glad to hear that and you're most welcome. Do get back to us in the future for further assistance.

Have a nice day!:)