A HP Printer Won't Print in Color (15 Steps)

1. Open the front cover of the printer, and remove the color printer cartridge.
2. Insert a brand new color cartridge and try to print again. The problem may be your printer is out of colored ink, or perhaps the color cartridge is faulty. If your cartridge is new or at least one-quarter full, skip to Step 3.
3. Remove the ink cartridge from the printer.
4. Look at the side of the ink cartridge, and you will notice an expiration date. If you rarely use color ink, or you haven't used it in a long time, the ink may be expired. Expired, old ink can dry up and clump, causing the ink to no longer print properly.
5. Purchase a new color cartridge if your ink is past the expiration date. Place the new cartridge into your printer and try printing again. If this doesn't solve your problem, continue to Section 2.
Printheads
1. Clean the printer printheads. The printheads apply the text/image to the computer paper as it passes under the ink cartridge.
2. Press and hold down the 'Power' button. With Power button pressed down, press the 'Resume' button six times.
3. Remove your finger from the power button, and the printer will clean the print heads in a mild wash.
4. Print out your color document again. If it still won't work, press and hold the 'Power' button again, but press the 'Resume' button five times for a more moderate cleaning process. Try printing the document again. If your printer still will not print in color, continue to Step 5.
5. Press and hold the 'Power' button one last time. While pressing the Power button, press the 'Resume' button seven times for a deep clean. Try printing your color document again. If you printer still will not print, continue to Section 3.
Turn Color Option On
1. Click the 'Start' button on your computer's desktop. Select 'Settings.'
2. Click 'Printers' from the Setting menu.
3. Right-click on your printer and select 'Properties.'
4. Click on 'Printing Preferences' from the Properties page.
5. Select the 'Paper/Quality' tab and click on 'Color. Hit 'OK' and exit. Try printing your color document. If your computer still will not print in color, you will have to take your printer into a specialist to be fixed.