Why Is My HP Envy Not Printing in Colour? 5 Surprising Reasons You Must Know

Are you staring at a frustratingly monochrome printout from your HP Envy printer, wondering “why is my HP Envy not printing in colour“? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This common issue can be caused by a variety of factors, from simple settings errors to more complex hardware problems.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the most likely culprits and provide step-by-step solutions to get your HP Envy printing in vibrant colours again.

1. Check Your Ink Cartridges

The most obvious reason for a lack of colour is empty or low ink cartridges.

• Inspect the Ink Levels: Open the printer’s control panel or use the HP Smart app to check the ink levels. If any cartridges are low or empty, replace them with new ones.
• Check for Clogged Nozzles: Even if the ink levels seem sufficient, clogged nozzles can prevent colour from being dispensed. Run a nozzle cleaning cycle from the printer’s control panel or the HP Smart app.

2. Verify Print Settings

Sometimes, the problem lies in the print settings themselves.

• Select the Correct Colour Mode: Ensure your print settings are set to “Colour” or “High Quality” instead of “Draft” or “Black and White”.
• Check for “Grayscale” Option: Some applications have a separate “Grayscale” option that overrides the printer’s colour settings. Make sure this option is not selected.
• Examine the Paper Type Setting: Select the appropriate paper type in your print settings. Using the wrong paper type can affect colour output.

3. Restart Your Printer and Computer

A simple restart can often resolve software glitches that might be affecting colour printing.

• Turn off your printer: Disconnect the power cord and wait for a few minutes before plugging it back in.
• Restart your computer: This will refresh your computer’s memory and ensure smooth communication with the printer.

4. Update Your Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can lead to various printing problems, including colour issues.

• Check for Updates: Visit the HP website and search for the latest driver updates for your specific HP Envy model.
• Download and Install: Download the appropriate driver and install it on your computer.

5. Troubleshoot Wireless Connection

If you’re printing wirelessly, a weak or unstable connection could be disrupting colour printing.

• Check Signal Strength: Ensure your printer is close enough to the router for a strong Wi-Fi signal.
• Restart Router: Sometimes, restarting your router can resolve connectivity issues.
• Try a Wired Connection: If possible, connect your printer to your computer via a USB cable to rule out wireless connection problems.

6. Examine the Paper

The type of paper you use can significantly affect colour output.

• Use High-Quality Paper: Choose paper specifically designed for colour printing.
• Avoid Damaged or Wrinkled Paper: Damaged paper can cause ink to bleed or smudge, resulting in a faded colour appearance.

7. Reset Your Printer

If all else fails, resetting your printer to its factory settings can resolve software conflicts or configuration errors.

• Find the Reset Option: Consult your printer’s manual to locate the reset option. This is often found in the printer’s control panel or the HP Smart app.
• Perform the Reset: Follow the instructions to reset your printer to its factory defaults. This will erase all custom settings, so make sure to back up any important configurations.

8. Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the above troubleshooting steps and your HP Envy still isn’t printing in colour, it’s time to consider professional help.

• Contact HP Support: Reach out to HP’s customer support for expert guidance and troubleshooting assistance.
• Take it to a Repair Shop: If the problem seems to be hardware-related, consider taking your printer to a reputable repair shop.

Time to Print in Colour Again!

By following these steps, you’ll be able to identify and fix the reason why your HP Envy is not printing in colour. Remember, patience and a systematic approach are key to troubleshooting this issue effectively.

Common Questions and Answers

1. Why is my HP Envy printing in shades of gray even though I have colour ink installed?
This could be due to several factors, including:

• Incorrect print settings: Ensure your print settings are set to “Colour” or “High Quality”.
• Grayscale mode: Check if the “Grayscale” option is selected in your application or printer settings.
• Clogged nozzles: Run a nozzle cleaning cycle to unclog any blocked nozzles.

2. My HP Envy is printing in colour, but the colours are faded. What should I do?
Faded colours could be caused by:

• Low ink levels: Replace any low ink cartridges.
• Old ink cartridges: Try using new ink cartridges.
• Incorrect paper type: Use high-quality paper designed for colour printing.

3. My HP Envy is printing in colour, but only certain colours are missing. What could be the reason?
This might indicate a problem with a specific ink cartridge.

• Check for empty or low cartridges: Replace any empty or low cartridges.
• Run a nozzle cleaning cycle: This can help unclog any blocked nozzles.

4. I’ve tried everything, but my HP Envy still won’t print in colour. What should I do next?
If you’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting steps, contact HP support or take your printer to a repair shop.