When trying to print in color it changes to monochrome. Why? How to Fix?

[RonieK4u]

I have two issues with my HP Officejet 4650 printer. They both happen often.

1st - When trying to print in color it automatically changes to monochrome. Why?

2nd - It when trying to print, it often says printer is offline. Why is this? And how do I fix every time without having to restart my printer?

[Jay_G24]

 Hi @RonieK4u,

I'd like to help!

To better assist you - 

1) Are you able to make color copies using the printer?

2) What's the application you are trying to print from? Have you tried printing from a different application or devices? 

If you are able to make color using the printer try the below steps to resolve offline and not printing color issue -

 Use HP Print and Scan Doctor to check connectivity

Download a special version of HP Print and Scan Doctor specifically created to help with printer offline conditions.

1. Download HP Print and Scan Doctor.
2. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.
3. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor opens, click Start, and then select your printer.
   • If your printer in not in the list, turn it off and on, and then click Retry.
   • If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in HP Print and Scan Doctor.
4. If a screen prompts you to turn on printer updates, click Yes.
5. If a screen prompts you to make your printer the default printer, click Yes.

Set a manual IP-

To set a manual IP and try the steps below -

--->Touch on the wifi icon ((i)) on the printer, and take down the IP address 

--->Open a web browser (ex Chrome or Mozilla) and type in the printer's IP

--->then go to network ---> general ---> network protocols ---> select IPV4 only-->apply 

--->go to wireless ---> wireless 802.11---> select manual ip ---> apply

--->Enter 8.8.8.8 for the first DNS and 8.8.4.4 for the second DNS.  

--->then go to settings on the main ews page --> power management ---> select sleep mode to max 15min

 Connect the printer to TCP/IP port- follow the below instructions-

 --->Touch on the wifi icon ((i)) on the printer, and take down the IP address 

a. Click Start/Devices and Printers.  Right-click on your HP Printer.  Select Printer Properties.  Select the Ports tab at the top.

b.    Select Add Port.  Select Standard TCP/IP Port.  Select New Port.

c.    Follow the Add Port Wizard.  Under Printer Name or IP Address, .  Example:  192.168.1.15.  The IP address will be copied under Port Name.  

d.    Select Next and Finish the Wizard.

If the issue persists, Install the printer using Windows built-in driver

Refer to this document to know-how. Try printing.

If you unable to make color cccopies using the printer, then try the steps in the document -Black or Color Ink Not Printing, Other Print Quality Issues

 Also, try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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