HP 4650 loses option for colour and automatic duplex printing

[Mar19]

Every once in a while, my printer loses the option to print in colour and to duplex print automatically - these items are NOT available under Printer Preferences.  Until now I have been uninstalling and re-downloading the driver multiple times (rebooting in between, rebooting the router, etc) until, eventually they shows up, only to disappear again several weeks later.

I found a post from a few years ago with the following solution.  It looks like it would fix exactly the problem I have  been experiencing.  I followed the steps until "Click the "Off" under "Automatic Configuration".  When I change it to "update now" it immediately goes back to "OFF", though it DOES change the "Automatic Duplexing Unit to "installed".  However, when I go into "Printer Preferences" I still do not have the option for colour, and the duplex printing is only manual.

Is there anything else you can suggest?

WIN10
if you cannot see the "color" tab - do the following:
Open Control Panel
Click on "Printers & Scanners" (or Devices & Printers depending on your view)
Click the printer that isn't printing color and select "manage"
Click "Printer Properties"
Click "Device Settings"
Click the "Off" under "Automatic Configuration" and select "Update Now" (this will cause the option for automatic duplexing unit to be "installed" upon closing the window prompt)
Click "OK" to close the window prompt
Go back into the program you're trying to print from (or from "Printers & Scanners" menu)
Click "Printer Preferences" (or Right click on the printer in "Printers & Scanners")
Click "Paper/Quality" tab
Select "Color" option your require
Now print!

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Try following below version of the HP Print and Scan Doctor Utility by selecting your printer, I believe it should resolve both the color and duplex problem:

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/printers/hppsdr/patches/HPPSdr.exe

Be sure to restart your PC and allow the utility to complete the process, then check for any difference.

Please let me know the results,

Shlomi

[Mar19]

YES.  That actually worked.  It also resolved another problem that I had been having with wireless printing.

I know I have tried the Scan Doctor before, but possibly it was an earlier version.  Anyway, this one worked perfectly.

I still do not know WHY I lose these features periodically, but at least I have  solution that works.

Thanks again