How Do I Fix My HP Printer Not Printing Color​? (Full Guide)

Is your HP printer refusing to print in color right when you need it the most? Don’t worry - you’re not alone. Many HP users face this problem, and the best part is that most of the time, it is mainly caused by small, fixable things. Whether your prints are coming out dull, missing certain colors, or showing only black and white, there is a clear reason behind it.

Here, I will walk through the common causes and easy solutions to help you bring those bright, vibrant colors back to your prints. You don’t need to be a expert - just a few simple checks and steps can get your HP printer working perfectly again. Let’s dive in and fix the problem together!

Why My HP Printer Is Not Printing Color?

If your printer suddenly stops printing in color, it means something small is getting in the way. The most common reasons are:

• Low or empty color ink cartridges

• The cartridges are not installed properly

• Clogged printheads.

• Incorrect printer settings

• Outdated printer drivers or software

• Poor-quality paper

Knowing these common reasons makes it easier to fix the problem and get your HP printer printing in bright, clear colors again.

Solution 1: Check Ink Levels and Replace Any Empty Cartridges

You should start with the ink levels because low or empty cartridges often stop the printer from adding color to your pages. Follow the steps given below to check the ink levels and replace any empty cartridges.

1. Initially, open the HP Printer Software on your computer and check the ink status.

2. If any color shows low or empty, then take the cartridge out and put in a new one.

3. Now, you have to make sure each cartridge sits properly in its slot.

4. After replacing them, print a small test page to see if the colors appear again. This simple step brings the color back without any extra steps.

Solution 2: Make Sure Color Printing Is Enabled in Settings

If your HP printer is still not printing color, then check the print settings on your computer. Sometimes the printing device switches to black and white mode without you noticing. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Firstly, open the print window, go to Preferences or Printer Properties, and look for the color option.

2. Also, make sure it is set to Color instead of Grayscale or Black and White.

3. Now, you will need to save the settings and try printing again.

4. A quick change like this fixes the issue and brings the colors back.

Solution 3: Run the Printer’s Built-In Printhead Cleaning Tool

If the colors look faded or missing, the printhead might be clogged. Your HP printer has a built-in cleaning tool that helps clear dried ink. To run the tool, you will need to perform the steps given below:

1. On your PC, you have to open the HP printer software and look for the Maintenance or Tools section.

2. Then, select the option for Printhead Cleaning and let the printing device complete the process. It may take a few minutes.

3. After that, you have to print a test page to check the result.

4. If the colors still look dull, then you can run the cleaning one more time. This can help the printer release the color properly again.

Solution 4: Check Cartridge Installation and Remove Tape

If your HP printing device still refuses to print color, then you can check the cartridges inside the printing device. To do this, you can follow the steps in the section below:

1. Open the cartridge access door and make sure each one is clicked properly into place. Sometimes a loose cartridge stops the color from coming out.

2. Also, you have to check if any new cartridge still has the protective tape on its nozzle.

3. If the tape is there, then remove it and place the cartridge back in its slot.

4. Now, close the door and print a test page. A small fix like this can help the printing device pick up the color again.

Solution 5: Update or Reinstall HP Printer Driver

If your printer still won’t print color, the driver software on your computer may be outdated or damaged. To update or install the printer driver, you can follow the instructions below:

1. First of all, go to the HP official website - support.hp.com and search for your printer model number.

2. After that, you will need to download the latest driver and install it.

3. If the driver is already up to date, then remove it from your computer and install a fresh copy.

4. Once the setup finishes, you must restart your computer and then try printing a test page. Many color issues clear up as soon as the driver works the right way again.

Conclusion

Resolving the HP printer that isn’t printing color is easier than it seems. You can get your printer back to producing bright and clear color prints by checking the ink levels, cleaning the printhead, adjusting the printer’s settings, or updating the printer driver software. With a little patience and the right steps, your HP printer will be working again in no time.

Source: How to Fix My HP Printer Not Printing Color