HP printer only prints black and white

Does your HP printer only print black and white, and do you need color? The following steps will guide you through setting your settings correctly.

Before we walk through your HP settings, let’s discuss the advantages of HP Black and White multifunction copiers and printers.

1. Cost-Efficiency: Printing in black and white is more cost-effective than color printing. Black ink or toner cartridges are typically less expensive than color cartridges, allowing users to save money, especially when printing large volumes of documents.
2. Faster Printing Speeds: Monochrome printing is usually faster than color printing since the printer only needs to process one color (black). This can be beneficial when printing large documents or when speed is essential.

While color printing can be necessary for specific documents, black-and-white printing offers numerous advantages in cost-effectiveness, speed, professionalism, readability, consistency, longevity, environmental sustainability, and accessibility.

My HP Printer Only Prints Black and White When It Should Also Print in Color

If your HP printer only prints in black and white, there are a few potential reasons for this issue. Here’s a troubleshooting guide to resolve the problem:

1. Check Printer Settings:

   • Open the document you want to print and go to print settings.
   • Make sure the color printing option is selected. Look for options like “Color” or “Black & White” and ensure that “Color” is chosen.
   • Sometimes, there’s a “Print in Grayscale” option. Make sure it’s turned off if you want color printing.

2. HP Printer Driver Settings:

   • Open the printer properties or preferences from your computer’s control panel or settings.
   • Check the printer settings to ensure color printing is enabled.
   • Update the printer driver to the latest version. Old print drivers can cause printing issues.
   • If you can make a color copy and the print quality report indicates color, consider reinstalling the printer driver.

3. Printer Hardware:

   • Check the ink or toner levels in your printer. If any color cartridges are low or empty, replace them.
   • If using a color inkjet printer, ensure the ink cartridges are correctly installed and not clogged.
   • Clean the printhead if you notice any streaks or lines on the printed pages. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions on cleaning the printer head.

4. Printer Settings via Embedded Web Server (EWS):

   • Open a web browser and enter your printer’s IP address to access the Embedded Web Server (EWS).
   • Navigate to the printer settings and ensure that color printing is enabled.
   • You can also check for color-related issues or warnings in the EWS.

5. Paper Type and Size:

   • Ensure you use the correct paper type and size for color printing. Using incompatible paper may result in printing issues. Depending on your HP LaserJet Multifunction device, it will have unique settings for copying and printing on special paper.

6. Out of Color Ink

   • As the color ink runs low, you may notice a decline in print quality, such as faded colors, streaks, or lines in the printed output. Observing any significant changes in print quality could indicate that one or more color ink cartridges are running out of ink.
   • Depending on your HP printer model, a maintenance menu or utility may provide detailed information about ink levels and printer status. Check the printer’s user manual for instructions on accessing this menu.

Is It Time to Contact Support?

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, consider contacting BDS support for further assistance. We can provide more specialized troubleshooting steps or advise on potential hardware issues.

BDS is an authorized HP Reseller in New England and Florida. As an authorized HP Dealer, we offer the following services:

Access to Genuine Products:

By offering HP products directly through HP or authorized distribution channels, BDS can ensure customers receive high-quality, authentic products.

Expertise and Support:

BDS has access to the most up-to-date resources and support from HP. We can provide customers with expert advice, assistance, and technical support regarding HP products.

Product Availability:

BDS has access to a wide range of HP products and offers customers diverse options to meet their needs and requirements.

Promotions and Incentives:

HP may offer special promotions, incentives, or discounts to authorized resellers, which BDS can pass on to customers, providing additional value and savings.

Buying from an authorized HP reseller like BDS ensures a positive purchasing experience, access to genuine products, expertise, support, warranty coverage, and other benefits associated with HP’s official channels. Get started today and contact us for a quote!