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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- Printer does not print MS Office documents in color

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08-23-2020 08:37 AM
I have posted this problem a couple of other times, but have not received any usable response.
I can print in color from PDF and other applications, but when I want to print from MS Office, the option to choose color printing is not available and all my prints come out black and white.
Here on the forum they had told me this problem can only be resolved if I speak to someone over the phone. But it appears that I must pay for that service.
All my drivers and software are up to date.
Why is the option to print MS Office files in color not available? What should I do?
Thank you in advance.
08-23-2020 10:59 AM
Well, it should work, of course. There are some limitations to what we can offer, too. If the problem is dug in deep enough, simply manipulating the printer software may not be enough to fix the problem.
Directed to HP Support?
We are a volunteer workforce; it is certainly possible that all options that we can offer having failed, (that) a customer would be directed to HP Support. Some issues defy our efforts to resolve. It is also true that HP Support for software issues is not generally covered by the standard hardware warranty that comes with the device.
You have likely by now viewed, reviewed, searched, what is available on the Community - anything I offer will likely be a repeat.
That said,
If you have not done so, consider / try any of the following that suit your needs.
Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers
Right-Click on the main printer device name > Remove the printer
Restart the computer and log in
Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers
Add a Printer > Add back in your printer (it should still be on the network and visible at the "add" check)
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Experts (including myself) have sometimes recommended using an alternate version of the HP Doctor. In general, the older doctor can detect a variety of issues and does some background work that can resolve problems that defy other solutions.
Having offline, installation, or odd connection issues? Can’t print color?
Use this 5.0.6 version of the Doctor first:
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Agents and Experts in the Community have offered the "root level driver removal and installation" method, which is essentially just removing the printer and all the printer drivers, then reinstalling the printer software.
The following includes a comprehensive list of "remove" items.
At the least, complete the Print Server Properties section.
The Detailed Procedure – “All the bits and extra steps”
Start - “All the bits”
Printer Software – Blocked in Security Software
Check your Security Software to make sure the printer software is not being blocked. Most Security software will allow you to make an exception for applications / software you want to use on your computer.
If you make changes to the security software setup, Restart your computer and log in.
Uninstall Existing Printer Software
Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >
Find / Select > Uninstall the printer software
If printer software will not uninstall, appears to be removed “but not”
Microsoft: Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed
After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in
Check and Remove Section
NOTE: After all checks > If any devices are removed, Restart the computer and log in
Check / Remove - Printer Drivers – Lurking in Devices and Printers
Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers
Left-Click on any unwanted Printer found in the Printers list
(Top Ribbon) Click Print Server Properties > tab Drivers
Select each unwanted entry > Remove > OK to exit menu
Back in Devices and Printers > Right-Click on the printer > Remove Device
Check / Remove – Print Server Properties / Printers in Print Manager
Method – Print Server Properties (easier)
Windows key + r (opens "run" window) > type/paste printui.exe /s /t2
Left-Click on every unwanted printer entry in the list > Highlight and Remove
Click Apply / OK to save changes and exit the Printer Server Properties menu
OR
Method – Print Management (moderately advanced)
Windows key + r (opens "run" window) > type printmanagement
Open Section Print Servers > Subsection Your computer (Local) > Subsection Drivers
Right-Click on each printer entry to Highlight and Delete
Delete / remove every instance of every printer entry you find in the list
Check / Remove – Printer folder/files in C:\ ProgramData
Contributed by HP Support Agent Betty0610
Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\ProgramData > Open folder Hewlett Packard
Delete any Printer related folders / files
Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager
Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager
Expand category Printers
If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,
Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall
Expand category Imaging Devices
If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,
Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall
Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the User Account
Clear HP / files in Temp folder
Windows key + X + R (Run command) > type %temp%
Delete the files in the Temp folder (Ignore files that cannot be removed)
Clear HP Printer mention in AppData\Local\HP
Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Users\YourAccount\AppData\Local\HP
Remove / Delete any folder named for the printer you wish to remove
End Check and Remove Section
After all checks > If any devices are removed, Restart the computer and log in
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Installation – Full Feature Software
Your printer software > Full Feature Software and the Easy Start wrapper:
Category Software and Drivers > subcategory: Software-Utility
General Instructions
- Open Category Software and Drivers (possibly subcategory Software-Utility) in your printer Support Website
- Download-and-Save the Full Feature Software / Print and Scan Driver and Accessories or HP Easy Start Printer Setup for your Operating System version.
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file (likely Downloads)
- Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
- After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in
NOTES
If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation. Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).
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Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems
“Things that are your printer”
NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System
Categories: Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more
When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic
HP ENVY 4520 All-in-One Printer series
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